ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — What if instead of a taxi or ride-sharing service, you could catch an air taxi to get where you need to go?
It could be a way of the future.
What You Need To Know
- St. Petersburg’s The Advanced Air Mobility Task Force is already meeting with local leaders about the future of the industry
- Electric, pilotless air taxis could one day ferry people around the Bay area
- According to Lilium, one of the largest electric jet-manufacturers, a six-minute ride would cost about $70
Aviation officials say an FAA approval is years away, but the goal for the St. Petersburg group is to get ahead of the game.
The Advanced Air Mobility Task Force is already meeting with local leaders about the future of the industry. The task force is meeting Monday.
Ed Montanari, the chairman of the group, said air taxis could very well be in St. Petersburg’s future.
“You know, you think about the cartoon “The Jetsons” where the characters got into a vehicle that was totally operated without a pilot,” he said. “That’s where this industry is going.”
Electric, pilotless air taxis could one day ferry people from Albert Whitted Airport to St. Pete–Clearwater International Airport, Tampa International Airport or even other popular destinations like Disney World.
“There is a need, and look at the situation that we have here in the Tampa Bay area and it’s going to give you another option,” Montanari said. “They’re going to transport people, transport cargo and ambulance. Also, it’s just amazing technology that’s coming our way.”
Until then, part of the ongoing discussions that the task force will have with city leaders and manufacturers will focus on design, how the planes are going to operate and the kind of infrastructure that would need to be placed.
“We want to learn about the aircraft, and we want to see how they fit into, not just Albert Whitted Airport, but around the city,” Montanari said. “We envision these vehicles could be operating from the top of buildings, hospitals, depending on the use of the vehicle.”
But the future Ubers, Lyfts and ambulances of the skies come at a much different price.
According to Lilium, one of the largest electric jet-manufacturers, a six-minute ride would cost about $70. However, if the alternative is traffic on Interstate 275, $70 might not be all that bad.
After Monday’s meeting, the task force will present its second progress report to the St. Pete city council in November, before presenting the final one in January.
Amber Gerard
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