Orlando International FAA Tests AAM Simulations

Orlando International Airport Leads the Way in Advanced Air Mobility

Air traffic control (ATC) specialists at Orlando International Airport (KMCO) are collaborating with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to explore the integration of electric air taxis and other advanced air mobility (AAM) operations. This initiative marks a significant step forward in the future of aviation, as the airport becomes one of the first to conduct simulated operations for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Orlando International was the second airport, following Los Angeles International Airport (KLAX), to participate in these simulations at the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey. The three-day exercise involved using theoretical routes and procedures along with human-in-the-loop modeling—combining human input with automation—to assess the impact of routine eVTOL flights on existing air traffic systems.

“This assessment reflects our drive to help lead the next evolution of flight,” said Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Airport Authority (GOAA), which manages the facility. The simulations took place in the FAA’s state-of-the-art Airport Facilities Terminal Integration Laboratory (AFTIL). This facility features photorealistic 3D airport models and aircraft simulations, allowing participants to test various scenarios. The site includes a 60-by-60-foot mock-up laboratory, control tower simulators, and a virtual airport space that can be explored using 3D goggles, replicating the movement of aircraft at over 100 airports.

These exercises followed two days of AAM tabletop discussions in November, where GOAA met with the FAA, elected officials, consultants, airlines, and representatives from five original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). The focus was on developing operational rules and aircraft certification processes. As a result, two potential AAM sites were identified: an undeveloped parcel on the East Airfield and an area near Terminal C adjacent to the train station. The FAA is currently evaluating ATC needs for managing eVTOL aircraft within the airport’s Class B airspace.

The initial efforts will center around the East Airfield location, where GOAA has already begun preparations for future aircraft. The airport has conceptual plans for a research and development hub, as well as vertiports—specialized takeoff and landing sites for electric aircraft. In March, GOAA issued an Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) with vertiport developers, seeking proposals for designing, building, operating, and maintaining two such sites.

GOAA envisions these vertiports as “common-use” facilities for on-demand, scheduled, hub-and-spoke, and point-to-point services, excluding personal air mobility vehicles like Pivotal’s Helix or Jetson’s Jetson One. The goal is to create seamless connectivity between the East Airfield and main terminals, with proposals addressing on-airport transportation.

Under the ITN, GOAA expects to award a nonexclusive contract by mid-April. While awardees will not receive reimbursement for their design efforts, there may be financial incentives from the city of Orlando, Orlando Economic Partnership, Florida Commerce, and Space Florida. GOAA plans to provide foundational infrastructure, including roadways, utilities, and power supply.

Other Airports Embrace AAM

Orlando International is not alone in its pursuit of AAM. Los Angeles International Airport was the first to participate in AAM simulations at AFTIL earlier this year, working with eVTOL developer Joby Aviation. The collaboration focused on deconfliction, traffic flows, integration with ATC communications, and pilot and controller workload. Los Angeles is one of Joby’s planned launch markets for its home-to-airport air taxi service.

While Orlando International is rare among U.S. airports for sharing conceptual vertiport plans, many others have installed electric aircraft chargers from Joby and Beta Technologies. Beta recently made history by flying its electric conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) Alia into New York’s JFK International Airport (KJFK)—the first time a passenger-carrying electric aircraft landed at JFK, LaGuardia (KLGA), or Newark Liberty (KEWR).

These developments are part of a broader push by the FAA, which anticipates large-scale AAM operations by 2028. The agency has been working on regulations to support this growth, including finalizing initial operational and pilot training rules for eVTOL and other powered-lift aircraft. It also released powered-lift certification guidance, offering developers a clearer blueprint for compliance.

Additionally, the Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification (MOSAIC) rule now allows two-seat eVTOL models in the light sport category. Momentum for AAM has even reached the White House, which created the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) via executive order in June. The FAA has since issued a call for state and local governments to join the program alongside private sector partners.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will select at least five eIPP projects by March 11. Several companies, including Joby, Beta, Archer Aviation, and Boeing’s Wisk Aero, have already announced their participation.