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The aviation and aerospace industry in Metro Orlando emerged
decades ago dating back to the World War II era when military air
bases occupied what are now international and regional commercial
airports. Even before that time, flight training had boomed in the
region because of its favorable year round climate, abundance of
sparsely populated land and access to fuel through its proximity to
shipping ports.
Metro Orlando, a top global tourist destination, has two
well-regarded international airports, Orlando International Airport
and Orlando Sanford International. Orlando International
Airport—built in 1970 at the site of the former McCoy Airforce
Base—has grown into one of the nation’s busiest airports and is the
third largest in land area with nearly 15,000 acres. Orlando
Sanford is considered among the fastest growing airports in the
country.
Several regional airports also serve Metro Orlando. Supporting
aviation in the community are aircraft maintenance firms, FBOs and
ground services companies. International and domestic air cargo is
a lucrative segment in the region and is bolstered by Metro
Orlando’s central access to air, land, sea and space transportation
infrastructure.
In 1962, what is now Kennedy Space Center (KSC) originated as a
NASA Launch Operation Center at Cape Canaveral located less than an
hour from Metro Orlando. In addition to space exploration sponsored
by the U.S. government, the facility is also the launching pad for
commercial satellites and rockets for companies worldwide. Local
companies such as defense contractor Lockheed Martin benefit from
the region’s proximity to KSC, as well as military installations,
by receiving billions of dollars in government contracts.
The sector is further enhanced by the region’s thriving
modeling, simulation and training cluster, which offers valuable
tools for such purposes as training pilots and astronauts and
modeling concepts for future airspace system management. Metro
Orlando is considered the simulation capital of the world, which
ensures the local aviation and aerospace industry will have
continual access to leading edge modeling, simulation and training
technology.
The aviation and aerospace sector in Metro Orlando is expected
to continue expanding in concert with an increase in visitors to
the region, cargo shipments and space exploration activities. With
strong support of local and state government, academia and industry
trade associations, the sector is positioned for success now and
into the future.
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