Florida Builds First U.S. eVTOL Test Track at SunTrax, with AIR to Establish U.S. Headquarters on Campus
Why It MattersA shared state-backed test facility could accelerate advanced air mobility certification and manufacturing groundwork ahead of commercial eVTOL deployment across the U.S.
Florida is constructing the first dedicated Advanced Air Mobility test track in the United States at the SunTrax transportation technology campus in Auburndale, built by a joint venture between Prince Contracting, a Flatiron-Dragados subsidiary, and Turner Construction Company for the Florida Department of Transportation. The project adds vertiports, charging and parking positions, maintenance and research space, taxiways, supporting utilities and a dedicated low-altitude testing airspace to the 775-acre campus, designed to let multiple companies evaluate aircraft and ground systems simultaneously as a proving ground before commercial deployment.
Governor Ron DeSantis designated SunTrax as Florida's home for advanced air mobility in 2025, prompting upgrades to vertiports, hangars and training infrastructure. In August 2026, eVTOL developer AIR announced it would establish its U.S. headquarters and an eVTOL production and flight operations hub at SunTrax, occupying approximately 20,000 square feet with plans to expand, and said it will be the first AAM manufacturer to produce and operate eVTOL aircraft in Florida.
State officials have said Florida is preparing to launch eVTOL and autonomous vehicle testing before the end of 2026, and the FAA has selected Florida as a partner in an Advanced Air Mobility pilot program, with testing to be conducted at the Auburndale site under the agency's AAM and eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.
