Aerospace and Aviation

With a rich supply chain and top connectivity, Florida’s aviation and aerospace companies are shooting for the stars.

Home to the renowned Kennedy Space Center, Cecil Spaceport and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida’s aviation and aerospace industry is the world’s gateway to space. As the birthplace of commercial aviation, Florida has 125 public-use airports and 21 commercial airports to seamlessly move goods and people around the globe. The Sunshine State is the undisputed air traffic hub of the Americas, a major hub for flight training and MRO and a leading location for manufacturing aircrafts and aircraft components. In addition, Florida has the rich supply chain and highly skilled workforce to support engineering, robotics, surveillance, technology and more.

Air Traffic Control
Florida leads the nation in the Air Traffic Control sector, ranking first in business establishments, GDP and employment. Over the past five years, employment in the industry has grown by 13%, a clear indicator of rapid expansion and a robust talent pipeline.1 Florida’s top ranking demonstrates the strength of its aviation infrastructure and the highly skilled workforce that sustains it. The sector provides highly skilled, high-wage jobs that are critical to both air passenger and air freight operations across the state. Florida’s prioritization of Air Traffic Control ensures that the industry remains a cornerstone of the aerospace economy within the state.

Pilot Training
Pilot Training in Florida is experiencing extraordinary growth, establishing the state as a national hub for aviation talent. Florida ranks first in the nation for Pilot Training business establishments and second in employment within the industry. Over the past five years, industry employment has surged by 40%, a rate that far outpaces national trends and positions Florida to soon overtake Texas as the top state in terms of Pilot Training employment. With this rapid expansion and the state’s strong aviation infrastructure, Florida is clearly emerging as the premier destination Pilot Training in the United States.1

Manufacturing Repair and Overhaul (MRO)
Florida’s aircraft manufacturing, repair and overhaul (MRO) industry encompasses the production, maintenance and refurbishment of aircraft, engines and components, supporting both commercial and private aviation. Florida is uniquely positioned to capitalize on MRO demand due to high volumes of tourism and busy airports, which attract significant aviation traffic and maintenance needs. Florida ranks first nationally in business establishments, employment and revenue within the sector, underscoring its dominant position.

Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAS/UAV)
Florida continues to strengthen its position in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems/Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAS/UAV) through targeted infrastructure investments, advanced manufacturing, and applied testing capabilities. SunTrax, located in Polk County, has emerged as a statewide hub for aircraft testing and validation, supporting low-altitude airspace operations, workforce training, and systems integration for both piloted and uncrewed aircraft across commercial and public sectors. applications. Furthermore, companies operating in Florida are leveraging advanced manufacturing techniques, including production-scale 3-D printing, to accelerate the development of next-generation unmanned aerial platforms by reducing prototyping timelines, improving design flexibility, and enabling scalable production. In parallel, the state is advancing the development of vertiport infrastructure, with planned facilities advancing towards initial operations in the mid-2020s and intended to support future air mobility services along key corridors, including connectivity between the Miami and Orlando metropolitan areas. Collectively, these developments underscore Florida’s growing role in supporting innovations, operational readiness and resilience across AAM and UAS/UAV capabilities.