ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014 Central Florida is preparing for advanced air mobility as electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, known as e-VTOLs, move closer to test flights in the region.<\/p>\n
The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority<\/a> recently approved construction of a vertistop<\/a> near Terminal C at Orlando International Airport, while state officials say the Orlando-to-Tampa corridor is the first step in Florida\u2019s pilot program.<\/p>\n The Florida Department of Transportation<\/a> is leading the state\u2019s advanced air mobility pilot program. Officials have not provided an exact timeline for when testing will begin, though e-VTOLs are expected to take flight in the next few months.<\/p>\n The aircraft is designed for short, regional trips. Bob Thomas, an associate professor of aeronautical science at Embry-Riddle<\/a>, said the technology has limits tied to battery capacity and aircraft weight.<\/p>\n \u201cWith the electric aircraft, you are limited by the range and the batteries, and batteries are weight, so there is a delicate balance between how much battery you put on versus how far you can fly and then also what you can carry,\u201d Thomas said.<\/p>\n As Orlando prepares for testing, one possible stop for the aircraft could be Signature Aviation<\/a> at Kissimmee Gateway Airport<\/a>, where charging equipment was installed earlier this year. Michael French, vice president of resident success at Signature Aviation, said the system works much like charging an electric vehicle.<\/p>\n \u201cAs opposed to pulling a fuel truck up to one of these aircraft, we would simply bring the aircraft over here and plug it in and charge it up,\u201d French said.<\/p>\n French said charging times can vary depending on the aircraft\u2019s battery level and desired state of charge. He said some charging could take under an hour, while shorter operations have taken 20 or 30 minutes.<\/p>\n Supporters of the technology say it could help connect more of the state through general aviation airports. French said Kissimmee Gateway Airport could serve as one of those access points. \u201cSeeing the opportunity for the potential for more regional type operations and those types of things, connecting more of the state using general aviation airports like Kissimmee as gateways for more people to access general aviation is also exciting,\u201d French said.<\/p>\n