AUBURNDALE, FL — Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference in Auburndale Monday morning, where he announced that electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft are expected to begin testing at SunTrax by the end of 2026. The technology is part of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), which the governor’s office described as “flying cars.”
DeSantis was joined by Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue and Polk State College President Anastasios Kamoutsas as officials highlighted Florida’s investment in emerging transportation technology.
The 775-acre SunTrax campus, located along the Polk Parkway and just south of Interstate 4 in Auburndale, was originally developed to test connected and autonomous vehicle technology. The facility has since expanded to include SunTrax AirGround, which is designed to support the development and testing of Advanced Air Mobility technology.
According to state officials, SunTrax Air is home to the nation’s first dedicated Advanced Air Mobility aerial test track. The facility will provide companies with a controlled environment to test aircraft and communications technology under real-world conditions. Additional hangars are also planned to support research, light manufacturing and final assembly.
During Monday’s press conference, DeSantis also announced that the Florida Department of Transportation is partnering with Polk State College and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to develop training and credentialing opportunities for students pursuing careers in advanced transportation technology.
“SunTrax provides an invaluable resource for hands-on training and research, giving our students rare opportunities to gain experience with cutting-edge technology right here in Polk County,” Kamoutsas said.
SunTrax will also continue testing autonomous and connected ground vehicles. The facility includes a high-speed autonomous vehicle test track and areas designed to simulate urban environments, pedestrian crossings, roadway inclines, weather conditions and other real-world scenarios before emerging technologies are deployed on public roads.
Advanced Air Mobility could eventually provide new transportation options for passenger air taxis, cargo delivery, medical transportation and emergency response.
SOURCE: FLORIDA GOVERNOR RON DESANTIS PRESS CONFERENCE
