Florida is expanding its transportation research efforts at the SunTrax Advanced Air Mobility and Autonomous & Connected Transportation Testing Grounds in Auburndale, with flight testing for electric air taxis expected to begin before the end of 2026.
Key Details of the SunTrax Expansion
- Infrastructure Additions: The 775-acre complex now features two vertiports designed specifically for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The facilities include a dedicated aerial testing area, a 3,000-foot runway, and a 20,000-square-foot hangar to support research, development, and future operations.
- The “Aerial Highway Network”: Initial commercial rollout plans target the heavily congested Interstate 4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando, aiming to offer air-taxi travel options that bypass ground traffic. Beyond passenger travel, potential uses include cargo delivery, medical services, and emergency response operations.
- Academic & Industry Partnerships: The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is collaborating with institutions such as Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Polytechnic University, and Polk State College to develop workforce training and academic programs tailored to advanced air mobility.
- Federal Coordination: Florida is participating in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiative to explore how eVTOL aircraft can be safely integrated into controlled airspace alongside existing aviation networks.
While state officials envision commercial operations taking flight shortly after initial testing, broader regional deployment will depend on regulatory approvals from the FAA and the completion of planned vertiport infrastructure statewide.
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