We still can’t believe that more people aren’t freaking out over the fact that flying taxis could be coming to Orlando International Airport in the coming years, but yes, it’s happening!
Back in September, it was announced that these flying taxis are in the works to launch at the airport in the next three years or so, but that was the last we’d heard about the possibility. Now, though, there’s been a pretty big update — testing for this new mode of transportation has begun ramping up!
According to the Orlando Business Journal, Orlando International Airport is now working with the Florida Department of Transportation on the Federal Aviation Administration’s Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program. The FDOT is one of eight transportation organizations in the United States that were selected this year to lead the pilot, and as part of this program, companies such as BETA Technologies are testing their eVTOL aircraft (yes, that’s the flying car).
In a statement, FAA Deputy Administrator Chris Rocheleau said, “These partnerships will help us better understand how to safely and efficiently integrate these aircraft into the National Airspace System. The program will provide valuable operational experience that will inform the standards needed to enable safe Advanced Air Mobility operations.” Currently, FDOT’s efforts will focus on using these new vehicles for cargo delivery, medical responses and passenger transportation.
Just what do these aircrafts look like, though? Well, BETA’s aircraft can travel up to 215 nautical miles and hold four passengers, to give us an idea of what we could see. Greater Orlando Aviation Authority CEO Lance Lytte has also confirmed that both a vertiport and a research center are in the early stages of development. He’s quoted saying, “We’re going to be a true intermodal facility at the airport. We have this all planned out, but the devil’s in the details, so we will have to work those out.”
The state of Florida has been working to help advance infrastructure to support this technology. On April 20th, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 1093, which will go into effect July 1st and allows FDOT to fund vertiports in the state. Additionally, construction is underway on a vertiport at FDOT’s SunTrax testing facility in Auburndale, so yes, this idea is seriously looking possible! Testing all all eight sites is expected to really ramp up this summer, which means that the industry could be ready to begin commercialization by the end of this year.
We’ll be sure to keep you updated on this, as well as all other travel news, to help you better prepare for your upcoming vacations, so be sure to stay tuned to AllEars!…