A “flying car” hub could connect Orlando and Tampa

Photo of small five-seater flying vehicles in a warehouse
Photo via Lilum

“Flying-cars” could begin connecting Tampa and Orlando — the regional hub should take five years to build and once operational could connect the two major Florida cities in just half an hour.

The Tavistock Development Corp. said it was constructing a Jetsons-like aviation facility in Orlando’s Lake Nona area, the mixed-use planned community it built, according to a report from The Associated Press. Lake Nona already is home to several medical and research facilities.

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Quick trips from Orlando to Tampa

Lilium, a Germany-based aviation company that manufacturers the industry’s only five-passenger “electric vertical takeoff and landing” aircraft, will supply the hub with the vehicles. At the moment, the Lilium Jets can travel up to 185 miles (nearly 300 kilometers) on a one-hour charge.

You’ll be able to book trips through your smart phone. The system will be similar to that of Uber or Lyft.

These vehicles can carry up to 4 passengers at a time.

Still waiting approval from the FAA

According to the AP, and experts they consulted, “battery sizes, air traffic control and other infrastructure issues are among the many potential challenges to commercializing them.”

The project is awaiting approval from the Federal Aviation Administration and the Department of Transportation. 

Would you take a ride in one of these flying-cars?

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