Florida Polytechnic Police Add $148,000 eVTOL Patrol Craft as FAA Approval Still Pending
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Nov 2
Florida Polytechnic Police Add $148,000 eVTOL Patrol Craft as FAA Approval Still Pending
1 articles · Updated · Fox News · Nov 2
Summary
$148,000 bought Florida Polytechnic University Police a single-seat Jetson ONE aircraft dubbed Astro, which the school says makes it the first U.S. law enforcement agency to add this type of piloted electric aircraft.
Astro is being tested for emergency response after storms and for campus access where roads are blocked, but it still cannot fly operational patrols until the FAA grants additional authorization beyond recreational ultralight rules.
Jetson lists the craft at 63 mph with about 20 minutes of flight time per charge, a 90-minute recharge on 240-volt power, and a 210-pound total payload limit including the pilot and gear.
The aircraft will also serve as a research platform for Florida Polytechnic's new aerospace engineering program, as the university studies whether small electric aircraft can offer advantages over drones or helicopters in public safety.