Florida Police Add First eVTOL, Await FAA Approval

Florida Polytechnic University Police in Lakeland has introduced Astro, a $148,000 single-seat Jetson ONE electric aircraft that takes off and lands vertically. The university says it is the first U.S. law enforcement agency to add a piloted electric aircraft to its fleet, but Astro still needs additional FAA authorization before it can be used for operational patrols. Jetson lists a top speed of 63 mph and about 20 minutes of flight time per charge; its 210-pound weight limit includes the pilot and any equipment. The department is exploring uses such as campus monitoring, reaching places ground vehicles cannot easily access, and delivering emergency supplies, though Astro cannot carry another person.