By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that Florida has announced plans for a new aerial test bed for flying cabs at in Polk County?
Governor Ron Desantis has offered air space for a SunTax facility aiming to attract advanced air mobility (AAM) companies and establish Florida as the state and leader in the emerging industry. The test site will feature two vertiports designed for electric vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, intended for short-distance urban commutes within approximately 60 miles, potentially alleviating traffic congestion on corridors like I-4. Governor Ron DeSantis and state Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue unveiled the initiative, with Perdue emphasizing the goal of speeding up the private sector’s market entry by reducing regulatory barriers.
The test facility is part of a broader transportation initiative that includes new express lanes on I-4 in Hillsborough County and a truck parking facility in Polk County. DeSantis aims to leverage the SunTrax site to support the development and testing of VTOL aircraft, with prototypes expected to receive federal approval for supervised trials, next year, sometime during 2026.
The Federal Aviation Administration has launched a pilot program for air taxis involving public-private partnerships, and updated guidelines now classify vertiports under the existing heliport category. Florida lawmakers have previously allowed the state Department of Commerce to consider funding for vertiport development through a Supply Chain Innovation Grant Program.