ORLANDO, Fla. – To advance the next era of aviation and fulfill its vision to become the global leader in the evolution of mobility, the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority hosted a two-day tabletop exercise recently exploring how to successfully integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, into operations at Orlando International Airport (MCO).

The exercise was sponsored by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and included multiple FAA organizations. The Advanced Air Mobility Implementation Plan aims to safely and efficiently integrate AAM operations into the National Airspace System over the next few years.

“Orlando International Airport has a goal to serve as a technology incubator and premier on-airport research-and-development site for AAM technologies, and ultimately integrate operations into the multimodal environment at the airport,” said Kevin J. Thibault, GOAA CEO. “This two-day exercise helped us to develop groundwork for eVTOLs and other aircraft that will shape the future of aviation.”

FAA and elected officials, consultants, developers, representatives from five original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and three airlines attended the event at the Lake Nona Wave Hotel.

Discussions centered around how to safely integrate AAM operations at MCO without impact to existing commercial operations.

The Aviation Authority has identified the east airfield, an undeveloped parcel on the northeast side of Orlando International, as a potential location for the development of initial AAM facilities.

GOAA has invested into preparing the east airfield site for future development, which now includes conceptual plans for a vertiport and a research and development center. Orlando International has a keen advantage in developing AAM technology due to its campus size of 11,000-plus acres.

Airport officials and staff will continue to collaborate with partners to ensure that Orlando International is positioned as a leader in the adoption of AAM operations and continue to cultivate relationships that will benefit every airport in Florida.

Please contact the Office of Public Affairs at the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority at 407-825-2055 or email us at MCOPIO@goaa.org for further assistance.