The Florida Polytechnic University Police Department has become the first law enforcement agency in the United States to integrate a manned eVTOL aircraft into its operations. The vehicle, a single-seat Jetson ONE model named Astro, is currently in the final stages of the approval process by the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Jetson ONE weighs 115 kg, including its lithium-ion batteries, and features a maximum speed of 102 km/h. Its flight time is approximately 20 minutes. The aircraft measures 2.7 by 1.6 by 1.22 meters, with foldable wings for compact storage. Jetson prioritized this order despite a three-year waiting list.
The university plans to use the aircraft for campus monitoring, accessing remote locations, storm recovery, and emergency supply delivery. The department also intends to collaborate with regional law enforcement agencies to support public safety measures using the technology.
Beyond operational use, the aircraft will serve as a research tool for students in the university's new Aerospace Engineering degree program. The initiative aligns with Florida's participation in the FAA's eVTOL and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program, with testing expected at the nearby SunTrax facility.
