Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced recently a new one-of-a-kind facility in his state, SunTrax Air Ground, will be actively testing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft by the end of this year.
SunTrax Air was built to support the safe and innovative development of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), DeSantis said and is home to the country’s first dedicated aerial test track dedicated to the technology. The facility provides companies with a controlled environment to test AAM, or “flying cars” and communications technology under real-world conditions.
“By the end of this year, Florida will be actively testing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, while SunTrax Air Ground is actively testing and supporting the deployment of autonomous and connected vehicles,” DeSantis said. “I was also proud to announce that FDOT is partnering with Embry Riddle and Polk State to help Florida students prepare for exciting career opportunities in the next generation of transportation. Florida has the innovation-friendly policies, the universities and research institutions, the infrastructure and forthcoming infrastructure investments, and the talent needed to become the premier location for emerging transportation technology.”
The SunTrax facility is located along the I-4 corridor in Polk County, and boasts a 775-acre campus initially built to test connected and autonomous vehicle technologies. The facility has been expanded to help with the safe development of AAM technology, which officials said would offer a brand-new transportation option to Florida’s communities to relieve congestion and restore regional air services in the state.
“SunTrax and Florida’s strategic plan to take highways to the sky are prime examples of why Florida remains a global leader in transportation,” Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared W. Perdue, P.E., said “As our state continues to grow and transportation needs increase, AAM will be a great addition to Florida’s world-class transportation portfolio that serves and benefits all travelers.”
Florida has been selected to lead the development of safety and operational policies for eVTOL and AAM technology through the Federal Aviation Administration’s electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) and the AAM Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). Research supporting Florida’s participation in the initiative is being conducted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.