On Monday at the SunTrax testing facility in Auburndale, Governor Ron DeSantis stood next to actual electric aircraft, the theme from The Jetsons playing, and made it official: by the end of 2026, Florida will be actively testing eVTOL "flying cars" across the Central Florida aerospace region. Not another PowerPoint. Not another five-year study. Real machines lifting off, flying, and landing on the nation's first dedicated advanced air mobility aerial test track.

These aren't science-fiction props. They're electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing aircraft — quiet, battery-powered machines that rise straight up like a helicopter, transition to forward flight like a plane, and drop back down onto a vertiport the size of a tennis court. No mile-long runway required. DeSantis put it plainly: "These things are going to be lifting off. They don't need a runway. They're going to lift off, and they're going to fly, and they're going to land."

Florida Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue didn't hold back either. "We're at the age of flying cars," he said. "What you saw in the Jetsons is becoming a reality." The immediate target is the chronically clogged I-4 corridor between Tampa and Orlando — an "Uber taxi in the air" that could turn a grinding hour-plus drive into a 20-minute hop. Cargo, medical runs, and emergency response are also on the menu.

SunTrax already has two vertiports up and running. The FAA selected Florida as a partner in its advanced air mobility pilot program, and the state has spent the last year building the infrastructure and legal framework so private companies can actually fly instead of waiting on more federal red tape. DeSantis also announced workforce partnerships with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Polk State College to train the pilots, technicians, and engineers this industry will need.

Who Actually Has the Best Machines Right Now

A handful of companies are far ahead of the pack. These are the ones Florida is already working with and the ones most likely to be in the air first. We've posted articles on a fw of these at Whatfinger earlier.

Joby Aviation (S4) The clear leader in the United States. Six tilting electric propellers, pilot plus four passengers, roughly 150-mile range, and a top speed near 200 mph. Joby is furthest along in FAA type certification (Stage 4), has already flown the first point-to-point eVTOL routes in New York City, and is launching commercial service in Dubai. Toyota is a major backer. Quiet, refined, and built for real air-taxi routes.

Archer Aviation (Midnight) Joby's closest rival and a Florida partner. Twelve electric motors, pilot plus four passengers, optimized for short, high-frequency urban hops (roughly 60–100 mile range, around 150 mph). United Airlines has a massive order on the  books, Stellantis is helping with manufacturing, and Archer is the official air-taxi provider for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Designed for quick turnarounds and high utilization.