Rep. Jose Alvarez and City of Kissimmee Director of Aviation Shawn Germolus with a component of the ALTA system at Signature Aviation at Tuesday’s event. (Photo/Terry Lloyd)
Two companies, Beta Technologies and Bell Dancy Industries, install airport infrastructure for electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) air taxi aircraft
On Tuesday, State Senator Kristen Arrington and Reps. Jose Alvarez and Leonard Spencer were on hand at Kissimmee Airport business Signature Aogy constructed at its Dyer Boulevard facility
“Representative Spencer and I came together to write and pass HB 1093, the Advanced Air Model Competitiveness and Infrastructure Act specifically so that Florida can take the lead in Air Mobility like we are seeing democracy here today.” Alvarez said
In March, BETA Technologies installed an electric aircraft charging station with a thermal cooling unit site adjacent to Signature’s hangar, and then a Beta CV-300 Conventional Take Off & Landing (CTOL) aircraft conducted multiple flights of between 60 to 80 miles, rapidly recharging between flights
Currently, Bell Dancy Industries is deploying its Autonomous Landing and Take-off Assistant (ALTA) airspace management platform to support the safe integration of air taxis into Central Florida’s skies. Last month, the company deployed its ALTA system at Miami Executive Airport, which has a similar role and capabilities as Kissimmee Gateway Airport in the greater Miamai system of airports
Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) has become the preferred term for the coming wave of both piloted and nonpiloted small aircraft, many capable of taking off vertically like a helicopter, which will comprise an air taxi fleet to transport passengers and cargo between destinations and also local conventional airports
Vertiports are ground locations where passengers and cargo transition from ground transportation to access their air taxi vehicle. A vertiport can be a stand-alone facility, or part of a conventional airport, such as Kissimmee Gateway, which has a designated site for a future vertiport facility in its current Airport Master Plan
In addition to formal vertiports, airport businesses like Signature Aviation, with a global network of over 200 private aviation terminals, including Kissimmee and Orlando International locations, are rapidly developing the eVTOL aircraft support infrastructure needed to provide services to this new segment of private aviation in much the same manner as to current conventional aircraft operators. Investment and involvement by private businesses can bode well for the eventual viability of any new transportation initiative.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is actively involved in regulating and facilitating the deployment of air taxis, particularly electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, through various programs and regulations. In conjunction with the FAA, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is developing an advanced air mobility network in Florida, aiming to launch commercial air taxi services along the I-4 corridor as early as the end of 2026. The legislative delegation at Tuesday’s event signaled continued government support for the AAM effort.
There are still many diverse challenges to the full implementation and use of a widespread AAM transportation network, from integration into the current heavily burdened air traffic control system, to cybersecurity, and particularly in Florida, our frequent adverse aviation weather such as thunderstorms. At the same time, daily transportation challenges such as perpetually clogged roads and highways, ground vehicle parking constraints at larger airports, and inadequate commuter rail networks are helping to propel the Advanced Air Mobility industry to overcome these challenges to keep people moving.
