Beta Technologies inaugurated three new electric aircraft chargers at airports across Florida this week. The universal charging stations, which can power various types of electric aircraft and ground vehicles, are now online at Tallahassee International Airport (KTLH) in the Florida Panhandle, Gainesville Regional Airport (KGNV) in north central Florida, and Bob Sikes Airport (KCEW) in Crestview near Eglin Air Force Base.
To celebrate the installations, Beta held a commissioning ceremony in partnership with the Million Air FBO at KTLH on September 18. “Tallahassee International Airport plays a vital role in driving the local economy, generating an estimated $1 billion annually. As TLH continues to expand its impact, we are excited to join the Florida Department of Transportation, Beta, and Million Air to introduce cutting-edge electric aircraft charging infrastructure at the airport,” said David Pollard, director of aviation for the City of Tallahassee.
Following the installation of a Beta charger at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida last year, the Vermont-based company now has four charging facilities in the Sunshine State. Beta is building a nationwide charging network that now includes 32 active sites, and the company has at least another 50 locations in the works. The next Florida location to receive a Beta charging station will be Jacksonville Executive at Craig Airport (KCRG), a company spokesperson told AIN.
To help the state prepare for the arrival of advanced air mobility (AAM) services, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) said it will release a document later this year—the “FDOT Advanced Air Mobility Land Use Compatibility and Site Approval Guidebook”—offering guidance for local governments and other stakeholders.
“As Florida’s aviation industry is experiencing tremendous growth to keep pace with our growing population and record-breaking number of tourists, FDOT is looking to the future as the national leader in AAM deployment, which will revolutionize how we efficiently move people and goods,” said FDOT secretary Jared Perdue.
At each of the three airports in Florida, Beta installed two types of chargers: an airside Level 3 DC fast charger for electric aircraft and ground support vehicles, plus a groundside Level 2 charger for electric cars and buses. Funding for the installations came from one of Beta’s government contracts, the spokesperson told AIN.
Earlier this month, Beta received a $20 million contract award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to evaluate how electric aircraft could replace helicopters for emergency medical services. In addition to its charging infrastructure, Beta is developing a small electric airplane and an eVTOL aircraft for passenger and cargo operations. Beta’s launch customer, United Therapeutics, intends to use the aircraft to transport human organs bound for transplant surgeries.