OCALA, FL (352today.com) – During this week’s Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership (CEP) Weekly Buzz, Ocala International Airport Director Matthew Grow shared his vision for how electric air taxis, known as eVTOLs, may soon take flight in and around Ocala.

“It’s an exciting time to be in aviation,” Grow said. “There are so many private companies out there developing aircraft to meet this eVTOL market.”

eVTOL stands for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. According to Grow, these aircraft typically carry four to six passengers and a small amount of luggage. They operate similarly to helicopters when taking off and landing, but they transition to horizontal flight in the air and are designed for quick reusability.

“They can recharge very quickly, either by plugging them in or swapping out battery packs,” Grow explained. “There are all sorts of different ways, and different manufacturers are proposing different methods of operating these aircraft.”

While the idea may bring to mind images from The Jetsons, Grow said the technology is no longer a cartoon fantasy. “Everybody talks about the George Jetson cartoon, ‘little hops’ and flying cars, and I’ve heard that my entire career,” he said. “It’s been a long career, over 30 years working in aviation. We’re closer today than we ever have been to realizing that. With 20 or so companies all vying to have the perfect product, those early adopters will join in, and I think we’ll see it.”

He added that proactive planning is key if Ocala wants to be part of this next chapter in aviation.

“We have to really start planning for it,” Grow said. “What do we need to do from an airport infrastructure perspective? Where would we put it on the Ocala Airport? What kind of electric needs? What’s best for air traffic? How do we integrate conventional aircraft with eVTOL and AAM [Advanced Air Mobility] aircraft? Because they land and take off differently.”

Unlike conventional runways, eVTOL landing pads can be small and decentralized—opening up options across the region. “It’s a helicopter landing pad,” he said. “You could have one near Silver Springs, in Salt Springs, even in the forest. Daytona, Cape Canaveral, The Villages, WACC – anywhere.”

Grow believes Ocala’s location makes it a strong candidate for test flights, training operations, and eventual commercial use. “We’re about 80 miles from Orlando International, a little farther from Tampa. We’re right at that perfect mission length for these aircraft,” he said. “Ocala is perfectly situated because of our airport infrastructure, our proximity to I-75, and our location in the center of the state. I think we’ll see them here a lot sooner than later.”

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