Florida’s rise as a national leader in advanced air mobility (AAM) was reinforced this spring as the state held its inaugural AAM Symposium at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Cohosted by Embry-Riddle and the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), the event supported Florida’s selection as one of just eight initial partners in the Federal Aviation Administration’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program — a designation that positions the state to help accelerate the safe introduction of AAM vehicles into the National Airspace System.
The symposium welcomed more than 300 top researchers, policymakers and innovators to Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus for two days of technical sessions, policy briefings and live demonstrations. The event offered attendees a glimpse of Florida’s robust infrastructure and advanced research and regulatory environments, while also showcasing the innovative spirit of the Sunshine State.
Advanced Air Mobility Benefits
AAM is quickly emerging as a practical tool for enhanced logistics, broader customer access to next-generation transportation, and improved emergency response. AAM industry growth is likely to increase economic activity across Florida, creating new high-paying, high-value jobs and demand for manufacturing, maintenance, and professional services, among other products and services.
Embry-Riddle: A Partner for Rapid Growth
Embry-Riddle and its Research Park in Daytona Beach are uniquely situated to support this economic growth. The university’s location next to Daytona Beach International Airport provides convenient cargo connections via air, land and sea, as well as efficient logistics solutions. Embry-Riddle’s innovation ecosystem also offers AAM leaders access to strong research, academic and workforce pipelines for electric and hybrid aircraft, supporting rewarding and profitable job opportunities for graduates at every stage of professional development.
Providing the Research and Infrastructure for Safe and Efficient Development
At the heart of these efforts is Embry-Riddle’s new Center for Advanced Air Mobility (CAAM), located at the Research Park. This state-of-the-art facility will help to accelerate development timelines by offering testing, simulation and workforce training — all essential resources for companies looking to scale quickly and safely.
The center brings together interdisciplinary research, workforce development and industry partnerships to address AAM’s challenges and opportunities, complementing Embry-Riddle’s academic expertise in safety, airspace integration, propulsion testing and human factors research and engineering — all critical areas that may help reduce technical and regulatory risks for both startups and established companies looking to explore the benefits of AAM.
Nearby, SunTrax Air — FDOT’s dedicated AAM campus — serves as a premier testing hub for air and ground transportation innovation. It also serves as a regional asset for businesses needing controlled test corridors and vertiport simulation. Combined with Embry-Riddle’s steady talent pipeline, SunTrax offers the dedicated airspace, intelligent transportation systems and collaborative research facilities necessary to advance eVTOL development, aerial highway operations and workforce training for the future of AAM.
Together, FDOT and Embry-Riddle offer companies who may be considering Florida a robust ecosystem for transforming aviation and aerospace, while also helping the Sunshine State attract and retain industry-leading businesses.
Florida’s Interconnected Future
As we look to the future of Florida, AAM has the potential to connect rural and coastal communities to major hubs. AAM presents new opportunities for property owners and developers to host vertiports, maintenance facilities and charging stations. Technology firms will have the ability to tap into an expanding market for air traffic management, cybersecurity and automation solutions.
Embry-Riddle, FDOT and the State of Florida are working collaboratively with industry to lead the integration of this emerging field. Our combined efforts have the potential to design the infrastructure, inform the policy and build the talent pipeline that will shape the future of U.S. aviation.