Orlando International Airport moves forward with vertipad plans, considers $500K in safety technology

A new way of flying could be on the horizon at Orlando International Airport as aviation leaders prepare for electric aircraft that can take off and land vertically without using a traditional runway.The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority is moving forward with plans for a temporary vertipad, a designated takeoff and landing area for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, also known as eVTOLs.The proposal is among the items on the aviation authority board’s agenda for Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 2 p.m.According to the board’s agenda packet, the vertipad would be located in the existing Atlantis Surface Parking Lot near Terminal C and the Brightline train station.The site would allow aircraft manufacturers and operators to conduct demonstration flights, operational testing and activities related to Federal Aviation Administration certification.[WATCH: Kissimmee Gateway Airport leads charge on electric air taxi infrastructure in Florida]While the technology could eventually support p