Florida Completes First Flying-Car Demonstration: Two eVTOL Aircraft Cross Tampa Bay
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced on October 30 that Florida has completed its first advanced air mobility demonstration: two 'flying cars,' a BETA Technologies ALIA and a Joby Aviation aircraft, took off from Albert Whitted Airport in St. Petersburg, flew in formation across Tampa Bay and landed at Signature Aviation at Tampa International Airport.
The route deliberately recreates aviation history. In 1914, Tony Jannus flew the world's first scheduled commercial airline flight over the same St. Petersburg-to-Tampa course. Thousands of spectators watched the new demonstration, which state officials cast as Florida's bid to lead the next generation of aviation.
The demonstration is part of the Federal Aviation Administration's eVTOL and advanced air mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), and of FDOT's ongoing 'Future of Flight' series. Data gathered on noise, airspace integration and operating procedures will feed the state's planning for an Aerial Highway Network.
BETA and Republic Airways previously flew Interstate 4 corridor operations of up to nine legs a day, with energy costs under $17 per leg, work aimed at the planned network along the I-4 corridor. FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue said the demonstration shows such aircraft can operate safely between Florida cities. BETA CEO Kyle Clark and Joby CEO JoeBen Bevirt both described the flight as a milestone on the path to routine electric air taxi service.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 佛罗里达州州长Ron DeSantis官方肖像。经GSM州长素材包。 / Official portrait of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. GSM governors asset pack.
