The Florida Department of Transportation hosted an Advanced Air Mobility test flight at Tampa International Airport on Friday, using two battery-powered electric aircraft to demonstrate the potential of electric vertical and conventional takeoff and landing aircraft.

Aircraft manufacturers Joby Aviation and BETA Technologies flew the aircraft in coordination with the Federal Aviation Administration and FDOT. The flight is part of the FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program, in which FDOT is one of eight partners selected to accelerate the testing and deployment of electric aircraft.

The demonstration began at Albert Whitted Airport in downtown St. Petersburg, retracing the route of the world's first scheduled commercial airline flight flown by pilot Tony Jannus across Tampa Bay on January 1, 1914. The electric aircraft completed flyovers and touched down at Tampa International Airport.

FDOT says the flights will be among the first to use Florida's Aerial Highway Network, a system of dedicated aerial corridors connecting major hubs across the state. Officials said the technology could initially be used for air taxis, cargo logistics, and emergency medical and organ transport.

Source: Tampa International Airport