Auburndale, FL — Friday, November 14 – Flying cars coming to Polk County? The Florida Department of Transportation completed construction of the nation’s first vertiport at the SunTrax facility in Auburndale.
The vertiport is part of a test bed for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, known as “air taxis.” A second vertiport is in development.
FDOT released its Advanced Air Mobility Business Plan today, outlining phased integration of eVTOL operations into Florida’s transportation network.
FDOT Secretary Jared Perdue said: “As soon as those vehicles are approved, Florida, we hope and intend, Florida will be the first place that they start flying and it will and can have an impact on I-4 if they’re successful.” The eVTOL aircraft are designed to travel at approximately 60 mph and carry up to six passengers, including the pilot.
FDOT officials stated that testing at the Polk County facility could begin as early as the end of 2026, pending Federal Aviation Administration certification.
The project is authorized under Senate Bill 1662, signed into law in 2025, which mandates FDOT to develop an advanced air mobility implementation plan. Nothing further at this time.
More information: https://www.fdot.gov/aviation/advanced-air-mobility
Source: FDOT
