On Wednesday, Nov. 20, a couple hundred people gathered in front of a hangar at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas. They were there to watch a test flight of Rotor Technologies’ Sprayhawk — an uncrewed agricultural helicopter based on the Robinson R44 — and many of them had come directly from the National Agricultural Aviation Association’s annual expo in downtown Fort Worth. 

The Sprayhawk fired up its Lycoming IO-540 engine and its blades began turning — a normal start, with the notable exception that the pilot, Joao Magioni, was sitting in a trailer behind the aircraft. After warming up for a minute or two, the unoccupied helicopter picked up into a high hover, then made a few passes back and forth over the ramp. The flight area approved for it by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was limited and marked with traffic cones, but it had just enough space to demonstrate the use of its 33-foot (10-meter) spray boom system, which emitted a shower of water that shimmered in the late afternoon sun. 

The roughly five-minute flight was the first public showcase of the Sprayhawk, which can carry up to 110 gallons (around 415 liters) of liquid, making it one of the largest commercial uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the world. Yet the development was arguably more evolutionary than revolutionary, because except for the absence of the onboard pilot, nothing about it was unfamiliar to the helicopter operators in the crowd. 

“As a helicopter operator, I don’t look at this as a threat,” said Helicopter Institute president Randy Rowles, who co-hosted the event along with Hillwood, the real estate developer behind Alliance Airport. “I look at it as a dull and dangerous type of operation solution, and one that we can get to market. And as an operator, having the same helicopter that I’m operating every day and turning that into an uncrewed vehicle, that makes a lot of sense to me.” 

Nashua, New Hampshire-based Rotor’s evolutionary approach to deploying autonomy in existing aircraft is not unique. On the fixed-wing side of the industry, startups Reliable Robotics and Merlin Labs are both working to develop autonomy solutions for the workhorse Cessna Caravan, initially for civil and military cargo missions. In the vertical-lift sector, however, eVTOL developers have captured most of the investment and attention with radically new aircraft designs that are primarily focused on passenger transport. 

Many of these companies are using remotely piloted aircraft for flight testing and aim to certify autonomous versions of their aircraft eventually. But in the U.S. and Europe, the regulatory barriers to certifying uncrewed aircraft are steep, which is why most Western eVTOL developers plan to launch commercial operations with onboard pilots first. 

Rotor founder Hector Xu also envisions a future world where autonomous aircraft are routinely used to carry passengers. In the meantime, though, he’s starting at the other end of the spectrum, with a focus on “dull and dangerous” missions like spraying that do not require aircraft certificated for passenger-carrying flight. This is similar to the approach of California-based Pyka, although that startup has developed an electric fixed-wing aircraft for spray and cargo missions. 

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Fort Worth, Texas (November 27, 2024): Rotor Technologies showcased the future of aerial agriculture with a flight of its Sprayhawk, the world’s largest and most advanced agricultural UAV, at Perot Field Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas. The exclusive event, held in partnership with Hillwood and the Helicopter Institute, drew more than 200 aviation industry leaders who witnessed the historic flight and celebrated pivotal company announcements.

Video of event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKv_3pijyic

A live flight test of the Sprayhawk kicked off the event. Piloted from a ground control station by Rotor Chief Pilot Joao Magioni, the unmanned aircraft performed a full startup procedure, hovered in front of the audience, made turning maneuvers, demonstrated its onboard spray system, and descended to land after approximately five minutes in the air.

Following the flight, Rotor CEO Hector Xu provided an overview of Rotor’s progress in the past year, particularly highlighting the announcement of the Sprayhawk in August 2024, the enormous industry interest for the platform, and the beginning of deliveries expected in 2025.

Rotor announced a new retrofit package available to existing operators of all models of Robinson R44 aircraft. Previously, only new-build Sprayhawks were available for pre-order, with the Robinson R44 Raven II as the default platform. The introduction of a retrofit option opens autonomous flight to a larger number of operators and to the existing fleet of more than 6,000 Robinson R44s in service today.

Xu confirmed the MSRP for 2025 models and the estimated delivery dates. Early adopter pricing will be available until December 15, 2024. He also highlighted the importance of a strategic partnership with AG-NAV, Inc., to bring industry-leading precision agricultural navigation to the Sprayhawk.

“The Sprayhawk launch marks a pivotal moment for both Rotor and the agricultural sector. With Sprayhawk, we’re bringing a new standard in agricultural UAVs, merging large payload capacity with cutting-edge autonomy to support safety, precision agriculture, and sustainability,” said Xu.

Event attendees also heard from Randy Rowles, President of the Helicopter Institute, who addressed the significance of this technological advancement within the regulatory landscape and the industry’s push toward safer and more efficient aerial applications.

“Helicopter Institute was proud to be a part of the Sprayhawk launch event at the Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas,” said Rowles. “It was humbling to share the stage to express our belief in the significance of this technological advancement in agriculture spraying as the industry advances toward safer, more efficient aerial application. Special thanks to Hector and the entire Rotor crew for their outstanding demonstration, as well as Chris   Ash, the Hillwood team, and the local FAA FSDO staff for their support.”

Christopher Ash, Senior Vice President of Aviation Business Development for Hillwood, added, “Hosting this event within the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone highlights our commitment to fostering innovation and supporting companies that are at the forefront of next-generation mobility solutions. We are proud to collaborate with Rotor Technologies as they lead the way in revolutionizing aerial agriculture.”

After the flight, guests explored the Sprayhawk up close and interacted with Rotor’s Ground Control Station. The event concluded with networking, allowing attendees to connect with Rotor’s new VP of Commercialization, Andy Mearns and the flight team.

The Sprayhawk production prototype that was flown during the event was the first of two that have been completed and are undergoing flight testing ahead of joint operations with a select number of operators across the U.S. who are participating in Rotor’s Joint Development Program.

Rotor would like to thank its partners at Hillwood, Helicopter Institute, and FAA for making this event and flight possible.

About Rotor:

Rotor is a manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles based in Nashua, NH, specializing in heavy-lift drones for agricultural and utility applications. To place an order or for more information about Sprayhawk, visit https://rotor.ai/contact

About Helicopter Institute:

The Helicopter Institute in Fort Worth, Texas, specializes in vertical lift training, offering comprehensive programs that go beyond factory training for helicopters such as Airbus and Bell, focusing on safety, mission-specific skills, and emergency procedures.

About Hillwood:

Hillwood, a Perot Company, is a premier real estate developer specializing in industrial-logistics, corporate office, and retail mixed-use development, as well as airport and property management. Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) is the world’s first industrial airport designed for cargo and corporate aviation traffic. AFW features a vast array of flight services, including air cargo, corporate, private, and military aviation, and is the cornerstone for the nation’s fastest-growing industrial complex and the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone. For additional information, please visit www.alliancetexas.com.

Manufacturer demonstrates its R550 Sprayhawk, an automated helicopter built from the Robinson R44 airframe, at the NAAA’s Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth.

It’s big, it’s automated, and on Wednesday, it lifted off under the control of a remote pilot.

Manufacturer Rotor Technologies this week flew its R550 Sprayhawk—which it calls the largest spray drone in the world—at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (KAFW) during the National Agricultural Aviation Association’s (NAAA) Ag Aviation Expo in Fort Worth, Texas. FLYING was on the scene to capture the remotely piloted demonstration, part of the launch of the 2025 model Sprayhawk.

The demonstration flight included participation from the FAA, Helicopter Institute, and Hillwood, whose Alliance Air Services subsidiary manages Perot Field. Rob Lowe, regional administrator of the FAA’s Southwest Region, delivered a keynote speech at the event.

The Sprayhawk is an automated, gas-powered helicopter based on an overhauled Robinson R44 airframe, with 110 gallons of capacity. With a range of about 5 sm and flight endurance of 50 minutes, it can spray 240 acres of crops in an hour at a lower cost of operation than comparable aircraft, Rotor says. The drone has about double the R44’s usable capacity and cuts costs by more than $1.20 per acre sprayed.

The Sprayhawk can be assembled and deployed in less than 15 minutes and requires just two crew to operate: a remote pilot and visual observer. It’s equipped with five cameras, radar, and lidar to sense and dodge obstacles.

Earlier this month, Rotor partnered with Ag-Nav to equip the company’s precision navigation and flow control technology on all 2025 Sprayhawks, including onboard technology that controls the rate of spray. Ag-Nav’s navigation terminal will be installed in Rotor’s portable ground control station. Rotor users will also have access to Ag-Nav’s mission planning software, which they can utilize to design spray patterns for any type of field.

“At Ag-Nav our mission is to always innovate as well as focus on pilot safety,” the company said in a news release. “So when we heard what Rotor [was] doing, we were really excited to work with them to further improve pilot safety as well as revolutionize the aerial application industry.”

The 2025 model Sprayhawk is open for preorders in the U.S. and Brazil for delivery during the second half of next year. The massive drone has a massive price tag of $1.5 million, but introductory pricing starting at $990,000 is available through December 15.

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Northlake, Texas – November 20, 2024 — Manna Drone Delivery, Wing, ANRA Technologies, and the Arlington Police Department operated side-by-side in the same airspace last week, performing drone deliveries and drone-as-first-responder operations. The showcase took place at Pecan Square in AllianceTexas, a Hillwood residential community.

As part of the GUTMA Harmonized Skies 2024 conference, a global group representing over 30 regulators, Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), and numerous members of industry observed strategic drone coordination firsthand. 

The implementation of strategic coordination leverages UAS Traffic Management (UTM) to digitally coordinate uncrewed aircraft flights within shared airspace. It is a key step toward routine scaled Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) flights in drone operations.

This event also marked the first time public safety and commercial drone operators shared airspace powered by multiple UTM systems when Arlington Police flew using ANRA’s service – another step towards ensuring safe and efficient drone operations. 

This global showcase follows a milestone earlier this summer which marked the first-ever instance of multiple companies operating drones in shared airspace, leveraging NASA’s initial UTM framework and a public-private partnership between the FAA and industry to create an implementation that safely and efficiently coordinates UAS air traffic in real-time. 

The implementation, known as the US UTM Implementation, is an ongoing open, standards-based forum for drone operators and UTM service providers. Identified as an effective means of coordination given the significant activity around complex BVLOS drone operations in the North Texas area and leveraging GUTMA’s efforts around governance and data sharing and the InterUSS Platform’s open-source automated testing suite for interoperability, the implementation is rooted in a deep understanding of how to efficiently support scaled drone operations nationally.

“It’s incredible to be part of this historic moment, leading the charge alongside our partners,” said Andrew Patton, Head of US at Manna. “This demonstration proves that UTM, a simple and scalable approach to low-altitude traffic deconfliction, is here and ready to support drone operations. We’re just getting started in revolutionizing delivery networks, making them faster, safer, and more adaptable.”

Hillwood, a Perot Company, welcomed these groundbreaking operations at a shared site. Hillwood, the developer of AllianceTexas, a 27,000-acre mixed-use, master-planned community and home to the Mobility Innovation Zone, is committed to convening the most advanced companies in future mobility to enable real-world operations that will inform the future of logistics.

“We’re excited to work alongside leaders in drone operations at the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone, where they can expand and commercialize drone delivery in one of the world’s most distinctive settings,” said Christopher Ash, senior vice president of aviation business development for Hillwood. “At Hillwood, our team is working together to introduce innovative supply chain technologies to North Texas and offer top-tier amenities to the communities we serve.”

The momentum around UTM represents a major step forward in integrating drones into the US national airspace system. It promises to provide a safe, fast, sustainable, and scalable solution to last-mile delivery and opportunities for public safety operators to serve their communities better. 

About Manna Drone Delivery

Manna is the largest and most advanced drone delivery operator, on a mission to improve the world by making lightning-fast suburban deliveries affordable, green, and safe. Our service operates in the highest population density of any drone delivery operation in the world. We partner with a range of businesses, from global giants to local businesses, delivering a wide variety of goods to customers in just a few minutes. For more information, visit www.manna.aero/

About ANRA Technologies

ANRA is a world-leading provider of airspace and mission management solutions for uncrewed and crewed operations. Specializing in advanced air mobility, drone operations, and UAS Traffic Management (UTM), ANRA empowers enterprises and government agencies with scalable, integrated platforms.  For more information, please visit www.flyanra.com

About Hillwood and AllianceTexas

Hillwood Properties, based in Fort Worth, is a premier real estate developer specializing in industrial-logistics, corporate office, and retail mixed-use development, as well as airport and property management. With a commitment to excellence and innovation, Hillwood has established a reputation for quality development that drives economic growth for communities throughout North Texas. Signature developments include AllianceTexas, Circle T Ranch, and Frisco Station. To date, Hillwood Properties has developed and acquired 31 million square feet of industrial, 3.2 million square feet of retail and office, and over 4,000 multifamily units. For more information on Hillwood Properties’ flagship development, AllianceTexas, please visit www.alliancetexas.com.

 The AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) spans the 27,000-acre industrial-focused, public-private ecosystem that brings policymakers and industry innovators together to propel surface and air mobility forward. By leveraging its one-of-a-kind infrastructure, the MIZ offers unparalleled resources to comprehensively scale and commercialize the latest logistics and mobility technologies. For more information on the AllianceTexas MIZ, visit www.alliancetexasmiz.com.

A Fort Worth aerospace company is taking off with its plans to design, test and build unmanned aircraft in far north Tarrant County for military and commercial uses.

AVX Aircraft Co. recently relocated from a small office in Benbrook to a larger modern facility at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport to grow the company specializing in advanced vertical lift technology. A team of about 40 engineers and professionals now operates in the new facility at 13901 Aviator Way off Interstate 35 West, and AVX plans to double its workforce within the next year. 

The facility has 14,000 square feet of office space and 7,000 square feet for designing and testing prototypes. Once an aircraft is flightworthy, company engineers will test it on the adjacent runways, officials said.

The company, launched in 2005, “has grown from that small office to this facility here,” company founder David Brody said at an Oct. 29 ribbon cutting event in the company’s aircraft hangar, which was draped with large U.S. and Texas flags and featured helicopter models that showed the evolution from piloted crafts to unmanned vehicles.

Since the company’s early days, AVX has been “building a reputation and brand for technical excellence,” company President and COO Kendall Goodman said.

In 2010, AVX shifted its patented coaxial rotor design technology to current military strategies involving unmanned aircraft, attracting attention — and contracts — from the Austin-based U.S. Army Futures Command.

“We’ve developed a reputation for grit and punching above our weight class,” Goodman said.

AVX’s future lies in developing aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, Goodman said. The company will design next-generation helicopter technology that includes advanced aircraft frames that eliminate the need for fasteners and joints. AVX is also developing sustainable technology software intended to lower fleet operational costs and predict the lifespan of aircraft parts.

Developing vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for the military is significant, Goodman said.

“This technology doesn’t exist on the battlefield,” he said. “It’s a game changer.”

In June, AVX and Colorado-based XTI Aerospace Inc. agreed to develop, design and certify XTI’s TriFan 600, a fixed-wing vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.

“The relationship with AVX provides XTI Aircraft with seasoned engineering talent and a company highly experienced in designing and developing vertical lift aircraft technology,” Scott Pomeroy, chairman and CEO of XTI Aerospace, said in a statement. “AVX will help refine our current design, which we expect will accelerate the TriFan 600 development program while significantly reducing expenses for certain engineering capabilities and services.”

AVX’s military applications of its technology are impressive, said U.S. Rep. Jake Ellzey, R-Waxahachie, a former Navy fighter pilot who now serves on the House Appropriations Committee’s Defense subcommittee.

“If you’re at AVX, you’re a pioneer,” said Ellzey, whose congressional district includes part of Tarrant County.

Vertical take-off and landing aircraft would be an asset to the military, Ellzey said. 

Alliance boom

AVX joins more than 570 other companies based at the Alliance airport.

“The airport itself was innovative since day one and we’re the world’s first industrial airport built out of the ground to serve an industrial purpose,” Christian Childs, president of Hillwood Aviation Companies, said. “We love partnering with new companies, we love to see them get their feet on the ground here.”

Economic possibilities on the horizon with autonomous aircraft technology, Childs said.

“We’ve got a little bit of development property still left around the airport adjacent to the airport, so we’re marketing that to some prospective users,” he said.

AllianceTexas, Hillwood’s 27,000-acre master-planned, mixed-use development, is also home of the Mobility Innovation Zone, a private-public hub for surface and air mobility solutions.

An $80 million federal Infrastructure for Rebuilding America grant will help build a new State Highway 170 intermodal bridge and other significant infrastructure improvements to create the new Smart Port at AllianceTexas, Hillwood recently announced.

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Hillwood, the developer of AllianceTexas, will be building a “smart port” at its inland port in far north Fort Worth. The project is supported by an $80 million federal grant awarded earlier this week. The grant, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Infrastructure for Rebuilding America initiative, was awarded to the North Central Texas Council of Governments in collaboration with the Texas Department of Transportation, Hillwood and the cities of Fort Worth and Haslet. It was the only project in Texas to be selected in this round of grant funding. Alliance’s inland port is the southwest’s main port of entry, according to Hillwood. It links air, rail and road transportation through the Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport, the BNSF Alliance Intermodal Facility and nearby Interstate 35W and Texas 170. The smart port is expected to transform Alliance’s already bustling inland port by adding infrastructure and technology to support more efficient mobility of freight and electric vehicles. The $262 million project will be supported by a mix of public and private funds, including $96 million of private investment.

Regional, state and national leaders will be able to track goods in real-time as they move through the smart port, which Hillwood expects to strengthen the supply chain. “AllianceTexas is poised to redefine what it means to be a modern logistics hub,” said Hillwood chairman Ross Perot Jr. “By integrating automation and forward-looking technologies through this grant, we will not only strengthen the national supply chain but also set a global benchmark for resilience and efficiency in port operations.”

Approximately 4.2 million trucks move through the BNSF Railway Alliance Intermodal Facility every year, a number Hillwood expects to double by 2035. The smart port project will include the construction of a “smart connected bridge” linking BNSF and Texas 170, which is expected to help with autonomous vehicles. By allowing trucks to circumvent Interstate 35W and Haslet Parkway, the bridge is likely to reduce east and westbound freight traffic. Other additions include a 32-acre lot for shipping containers planned for space between the existing BNSF hub and a site of yet-to-be-built warehouses. A regional network of electric vehicle and hydrogen charging stations will be built to support electric freight vehicles on long and short-haul trips. An independent, renewable energy micro-grid will be added to ensure Alliance’s facilities aren’t impacted by power outages or spikes in electricity demand. The smart port project will also grow the area’s 5G network through new telecommunications infrastructure that could also be used to expand autonomous technology capabilities. Over half of the United States’ freight tonnage moves through Texas.

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FORT WORTH, TX – (October 24, 2024) — In partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the City of Fort Worth and the City of Haslet, The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) and Hillwood, a Perot Company, have been awarded $80 million from the Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program. The grant will transform the U.S. supply chain and increase supply chain resilience by providing regional, state and national leaders with real-time tracking of goods and services as they move through the new Smart Port at AllianceTexas, Hillwood’s 27,000-acre master-planned, mixed-use development. The AllianceTexas Smart Port was one of 44 projects chosen nationwide and the lone selection from Texas, with $4.2 billion in total funding allocated to this round of the INFRA and Project Assistance (MEGA) grant programs.

This $262 million public-private partnership, which includes $96 million of private sector investment, connects the AllianceTexas Inland Port, one of the nation’s critical supply chain hubs, to the Dallas-Fort Worth regional transportation network and its bigger state and national ecosystems, which include the Texas Connected Freight Corridor (TCFC) and the critical National Highway Freight Network corridors of Interstate 35 and Interstate 45.

“AllianceTexas is poised to redefine what it means to be a modern logistics hub,” said Ross Perot Jr., Chairman and CEO of Hillwood. “By integrating automation and forward-looking technologies through this grant, we will not only strengthen the national supply chain but also set a global benchmark for resilience and efficiency in port operations.”

The real-time tracking of goods and services will be coupled with a direct connector bridge from the heart of the AllianceTexas Inland Port facility to State Highway 170. The bridge will alleviate east-west freight traffic, taking trucks off Interstate 35W and a four-lane suburban road, and more efficiently routing them to their destination. By reducing traffic congestion, it will improve road safety, air quality, access to jobs and the quality of life for over 3 million area residents across Denton and Tarrant Counties. Approximately 4.2 million trucks move in and out of the BNSF Railway Alliance Intermodal Facility each year, and that number will nearly double by 2035.

The AllianceTexas Inland Port, ranked 15th nationally, is the primary port of entry for the southwestern United States, bringing shipped global goods directly from the ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and Houston via intermodal rail containers. In addition, AllianceTexas connects to nearshoring in Mexico and with more than half of all U.S. freight tonnage moving through Texas, it will also play a significant role in advancing the Texas Connected Freight Corridors Project, addressing freight safety and mobility needs. AllianceTexas’ global logistics hub is one of the nation’s largest intermodal hubs, connecting air (Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport), road (I-35/SH-170) and rail (BNSF Intermodal Facility).

The project will support AllianceTexas’ future intermodal growth, including new intermodal services to Mexico. The project will also help improve supply chain resilience through enhanced freight logistics, optimized freeway lane connections and integration of technologies to aid in the efficient movement of freight. 

“The award of an $80 million grant to the AllianceTexas Inland Port Project is a groundbreaking achievement made possible by the collaboration of leaders across the public and private sectors,” said Denton County Judge Andy Eads, who also serves on the Regional Transportation Council.

“By leveraging technology to improve supply chain resilience, this project allows Dallas-Fort Worth to serve as a transformative model for the efficient movement of goods to market. I would like to thank Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes, my colleague on the RTC, as well all dedicated leaders of the RTC and the legislative community from across Dallas-Fort Worth, for recognizing the importance of this project to the long-term economic outlook of the region, state and nation.”

Components of the award-winning project include: 

• Add a State Highway 170/Intermodal Parkway Smart Connected Bridge: A technology/roadway connector from the BNSF Intermodal Facility to SH 170 to aid in vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communication and connected/autonomous vehicle (CAV) deployment.
• Build an integrated Intermodal Depot with BNSF Railway: Create a 32-acre container lot with drayage serviceability between BNSF’s Intermodal hub and over 14 million square feet of future, next-generation warehouse space.
• Ensure long-term 5G communication network capacity: Provide long-term telecommunications infrastructure to support expanded semi- and fully autonomous technology capabilities, as well as boost public/private 5G network growth.
• Add TruckPort for electric vehicle (EV) freight operations: Establish a regionally connected freight corridor node with EV/hydrogen charging units for short-/long-haul operation specializations.
• Add independent and renewable energy micro-grid supporting future users: Ensure a strategically placed energy storage and management system to help mitigate demand spikes and improve resiliency against unforeseen energy impacts.
• Connect Texas AV/EV Connected Freight Corridor: Institute a seamless platform for elevating inland port physical/technological connectivity in the 865-mile Texas Triangle, linking the DFW, Austin-San Antonio and Houston areas.

“The AllianceTexas Smart Port, a $262 million public private partnership, allows our supply chain to function more efficiently and more reliably than it ever has before and provide greater safety and reduced congestion on our state’s highway network,” said TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams. “The project ties into the National Highway System, which includes the 865-mile Texas Connected Freight Corridor and its critical corridors I-35 and I-45.”

About the North Central Texas Council of Governments

NCTCOG is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1966 to assist local governments in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG’s purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication and make joint decisions. NCTCOG serves a 16-county region of North Central Texas, which is centered on the two urban centers of Dallas and Fort Worth. For more information on the NCTCOG Transportation Department, visit NCTCOG.org/trans. 

About the Regional Transportation Council

The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) of the North Central Texas Council of Governments has served as the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) for regional transportation planning in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 1974. The MPO works in cooperation with the region’s transportation providers to address the complex transportation needs of the rapidly growing metropolitan area. The Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area includes Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise counties. The RTC’s 45 members include local elected or appointed officials from the metropolitan area and representatives from each of the area’s transportation providers. 

About AllianceTexas

Developed by Hillwood, AllianceTexas is an unparalleled regional success story that has transformed the North Texas economy and connected the area to global industry. Consisting of 27,000 acres, the development is anchored by the world’s first dedicated industrial airport, Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW), and hosts one of the nation’s premier intermodal hubs. Today, AllianceTexas is home to 575 companies that have created more than 66,000 direct jobs and have approximately 58 million square feet of developed commercial real estate assets. The development’s cumulative impact since 1989 is an estimated $120 billion for the North Texas region. For additional information, please visit www.alliancetexas.com.

The AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) spans the 27,000-acre industrial-focused, public-private ecosystem that brings policymakers and industry innovators together to propel surface and air mobility forward. By leveraging its one-of-a-kind infrastructure, the MIZ offers unparalleled resources to comprehensively scale and commercialize the latest logistics and mobility technologies. For more information on the AllianceTexas MIZ and how your organization can be part of this industry-shaping environment, visit www.alliancetexasmiz.com.

AVX Aircraft Company, which designs vertical lift aerospace technology, is moving to north Fort Worth. The company plans to establish its headquarters and prototype shop at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport, a cornerstone of north Fort Worth’s massive AllianceTexas development. The relocation was announced Oct. 18 by AllianceTexas developer Hillwood. Founded in 2005, AVX specializes in advanced vertical lift technology for commercial and military purposes. The move is expected to create dozens of new jobs; AVX expects to double its 40-person workforce within the next year, according to a news release. The company is already hiring engineers to work in Fort Worth.

“Over the past 18 years, our focus has been on innovative design, and our new headquarters and prototyping shop will give us a competitive edge as we advance technology in our industry,” said the president of AVX, Kendall Goodman. AVX’s Perot Field facility, located at 13901 Aviator Way, has 14,000 square feet of office space and a 7,000-square-foot testing area.

AVX will join a plethora of aeronautics-focused companies based in Fort Worth. The city is home to some of the nation’s biggest aerospace and aviation companies, including Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, American Airlines and Bell Textron.

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AVX Aircraft’s new headquarters will include prototyping and testing space for the development of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)

FORT WORTH, TX – (October 18, 2024) Hillwood and Alliance Aviation Services welcome AVX Aircraft Company, a pioneering aerospace corporation specializing in advanced vertical lift technology solutions, to Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport. AVX’s decision to establish its headquarters at this strategic location marks a significant commitment to advance innovation and growth in the aviation industry in Hillwood’s AllianceTexas development.

AVX Aircraft Company brings a team of 40 engineers and professionals dedicated to expanding and testing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for military and commercial applications. With its new 14,000-square-foot office space and 7,000-square-foot of prototyping and testing space, AVX is poised to accelerate its efforts in advancing vertical lift technology. Moreover, AVX anticipates doubling its workforce within the next year, further solidifying its commitment to drive progress and innovation in the aerospace sector.

“Over the past 18 years, our focus has been on innovative design, and our new headquarters and prototyping shop will give us a competitive edge as we advance technology in our industry,” said AVX President Kendall Goodman. “Our team of highly trained engineers, aviation professionals and former military personnel feel right at home at this aerospace and technology hub that Perot Field provides.”

North Texas has long been synonymous with aviation and aerospace excellence, with major industry players such as Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Bell Textron, American Airlines, Southwest Airlines and Boeing’s Global Services all calling Dallas-Fort Worth home. AllianceTexas, a 27,000-acre master-planned development, is also a hub for next-generation initiatives like the Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ), which provides a robust ecosystem for mobility visionaries to scale and commercialize new technologies.

“AVX’s focus on advancement in the aerospace sector makes it the perfect customer to establish a presence at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport and the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone,” said Bill Burton, executive vice president of marketing and development at Hillwood. “We’re excited to see how they evolve mobility technology in North Texas.”

The 13901 Aviator Way building offers Class A office and hangar space for lease with a private, secure tenant entry and direct ramp access. The building also features a recently renovated Fixed Base Operation (FBO), providing upgraded facilities and convenience.

About AVX Aircraft

AVX Aircraft Company was founded with a vision of bringing advanced vertical lift solutions to the marketplace.  Their innovative design technology has shown broad application to demanding military missions. Highly experienced engineers and professionals have created innovative designs, that use modern technology, to deliver visionary performance in the vertical lift environment. AVX is currently expanding its UAV designs for commercial and military applications. AVX has refined and matured its coaxial rotor design through competing in numerous U. S. Military aircraft development programs. AVX Aircraft Company is a horizontally integrated company that offers exciting opportunities for creative engineers wishing to work in unique environment where imagination is the only limit.

About AllianceTexas

Developed by Hillwood, AllianceTexas is an unparalleled regional success story that has transformed the North Texas economy and connected the area to global industry. Consisting of 27,000 acres, the development is anchored by the world’s first dedicated industrial airport, Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW), and hosts one of the nation’s premier intermodal hubs. Today, AllianceTexas is home to 575 companies that have created more than 66,000 direct jobs and have approximately 58 million square feet of developed commercial real estate assets. The development’s cumulative impact since 1989 is an estimated $120 billion for the North Texas region. For additional information, please visit www.alliancetexas.com.

The AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone (MIZ) spans the 27,000-acre industrial-focused, public-private ecosystem that brings policymakers and industry innovators together to propel surface and air mobility forward. By leveraging its one-of-a-kind infrastructure, the MIZ offers unparalleled resources to comprehensively scale and commercialize the latest logistics and mobility technologies. For more information on the AllianceTexas MIZ and how your organization can be part of this industry-shaping environment, visit www.alliancetexasmiz.com.

About Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport

Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport (AFW) is the world’s first industrial airport designed for cargo and corporate aviation traffic. AFW features a vast array of flight services, including air cargo, corporate, private, and military aviation, and is the cornerstone for the nation’s fastest-growing industrial complex and the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone. Owned by the City of Fort Worth and managed by privately held Alliance Air Services, AFW provides state-of-the-art infrastructure and an award-winning FAA air traffic control tower. The attached FBO has been ranked among the finest in the U.S. by industry publications and fuel service providers. For more information, please visit www.perotfield.com.

Embraer S.A. (NYSE:ERJ) disclosed an expansion of its maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services in the U.S. with a new service center opening at Perot Field Alliance Airport in Fort Worth, Texas, to support its growing fleet of E-Jets.

Embraer, in partnership with Fort Worth, Denton County, and Texas, will begin operations in an existing hangar by the the second quarter of 2025 and build a second hangar by 2027.

This expansion will increase its U.S. capacity for E-Jet services by 53%, with an investment of up to $70 million, creating about 250 new aviation jobs in Texas.

The Fort Worth service center will join Embraer’s global network, which comprises 80 authorized centers and 12 owned service centers worldwide.

Ross Perot, Jr, Chairman and CEO of Hillwood, said, “This new facility will bring 250 high-quality jobs to Fort Worth and North Texas, further strengthening our region’s role as a key hub for aerospace innovation while ensuring that Embraer can efficiently support its expanding fleet of commercial jets in the U.S.”

Denton County Judge Andy Eads stated, “The expansion of Embraer here will assist other aviation companies across the North Texas Region. In addition, through this deal, Denton County residents will have access to these well-paying career opportunities.”

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