Florida Strives To Be Global Leader on AAM

Florida aims to become the top user of advanced air mobility (AAM) anywhere, Florida Department of Transportation secretary Jared Perdue told aviation executives last week at the Honeywell American Aviation Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. He described an ambitious initiative to create the aerial network, digital infrastructure, technology, workforce, and policies needed to attract and retain AAM operators.

Perdue said Florida is moving ahead rapidly with drone operations for law enforcement, emergency response, deliveries, and infrastructure inspection. When a hurricane hits, drones can assess the damage immediately for rapid response. New eVTOL aircraft are also seen as a major benefit for inner- and intra-city traffic and for relieving road congestion.

Florida's governor, Ron DeSantis, recently plowed $4 billion in state surplus funds into transportation infrastructure. The Florida DOT is involving the AAM industry, local government, airports, universities, and other partners in creating a handbook for operations, setting policy and standards, and passing multiple bills in the state legislature.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) is using its Daytona Beach research park for AAM to help support the state’s drive to have AAM make a difference in Florida, according to Rodney Cruise, senior v-p and COO at ERAU. Florida DOT also has an air/ground test center. In a Florida DOT promotional video, a vertiport company leader said the state is “light-years ahead” of others on AAM.