The Miami Valley may be on the cusp of a flying car manufacturing boom

At least five eVTOL companies are testing at the Springfield Beckley Municipal Airport.
Joby Aviation’s announcement that beginning in 2025 it will build as many as 500 electric air taxis a year may be just the beginning for flying car manufacturing in Southwest Ohio.

The business is taking off, according to the Dayton Development Coalition’s Executive Vice President, Aerospace and Defense Elaine Bryant. “We’re bringing flight to the masses. So, think about your car in your garage and the automakers had to build 500, 1,000, whatever it is, to keep up with the demand. So, that’s what we’re gearing up to.”

At least five eVTOL (electric vehicle take-off and landing) companies are testing at the Springfield Beckley Municipal Airport. They include Joby, Lift, Beta, Opener Aero and Moog.

Opener’s CEO Ken Karklin showed off his company’s personal air vehicle at the National Advanced Air Mobility Industry Forum. It is at The National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence, which had its grand opening Monday at the Springfield Airport.