What if getting across a city took minutes instead of hours?

This conversation with Billy Nolen explores how advanced air mobility is moving from concept to reality—faster than most people think. From his decades in aviation leadership to shaping policy at the Federal Aviation Administration, Billy brings a rare, inside-out perspective on what it actually takes to bring eVTOL aircraft into everyday use.

At the center of it all: Archer Aviation’s Midnight aircraft—and a vision that could redefine how we move through cities by the time the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics arrive.

This isn’t future talk. It’s already happening.

• How eVTOL aircraft are designed and why they’re different • The real bottlenecks: certification, infrastructure, and regulation • Why the LA 2028 Olympics could be a turning point for air mobility • How charging networks and vertiports will shape adoption • The global race (including China) to dominate next-gen aviation • Where defense, commercial, and emerging markets intersect

00:00 Silent Revolution Intro 00:45 Meet Billy Nolen 00:55 Aviation Career Journey 02:20 Leading the FAA 03:42 Innovate 2028 Vision 05:56 Why Archer Won Him Over 07:18 Midnight Aircraft Exterior 09:55 Cabin Design and Partners 12:02 Olympics Use Case in LA 16:06 Charging and Daily Ops 17:29 Defense and Global Markets 19:58 Infrastructure and Standards 21:10 US Policy Tailwinds 23:35 Race With China and Safety 26:35 Wrap Up and Outro

Billy Nolen is Chief Safety Officer at Archer Aviation and a veteran aviation leader with over four decades of experience.

He began his career as a U.S. Army pilot before spending more than 26 years at American Airlines in operational and safety leadership roles. He later held executive positions at Airlines for America, Qantas, and WestJet.

In 2022, he was appointed Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, where he helped guide U.S. aviation through a critical period of innovation, including early frameworks for drones and advanced air mobility.

Today, he’s helping bring eVTOL technology to market—bridging regulation, safety, and real-world deployment.

The Empirical Energy Podcast explores the shift toward measurable, verified, and transparent energy systems. Through conversations with operators, innovators, and industry leaders, we break down how technology, data, and infrastructure are reshaping global markets.

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