Florida, also known as the Sunshine State, is one of the most important aviation and aerospace hubs in the United States. The state boasts a diverse array of companies that design, manufacture, and service aircraft and spacecraft, as well as provide related services like airport management, logistics, and training.
The industry is a significant contributor to the state’s economy, with over 144,000 employees and a total economic impact of $25 billion. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top 39 aviation and aerospace companies in Florida and what makes them stand out.
Aviation and Aerospace Companies in Florida
Table of Contents
- Embraer
- GE Aviation
- Pratt & Whitney
- Boeing
- Lockheed Martin
- Northrop Grumman
- Honeywell Aerospace
- JetBlue Airways
- Spirit Airlines
- Gulfstream Aerospace
- Piper Aircraft
- L3Harris Technologies
- AAR Corp
- Bristow Group
- FlightSafety International
- Harris Corporation
- Chromalloy
- AAR Aircraft Services
- Aerospace Technologies Group
- Aviation Partners Group
- RS Technologies
- Jet Aviation
- Simcom Aviation Training
- Teledyne Technologies
- General Electric Aviation
- UTC Aerospace Systems
- Sikorsky Aircraft
- Aerojet Rocketdyne
- Raytheon Technologies
- Collins Aerospace
- The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
- Pratt & Whitney
- Rockwell Collins
- Safran USA
- B/E Aerospace
- Spirit AeroSystems
- Harris Corporation RF Communications Division
- Garmin International
- GKN Aerospace
Embraer
Embraer is a Brazilian aerospace conglomerate with significant operations in Florida. The company designs, manufactures, and services commercial, military, and executive jets, as well as provides defense and security solutions. Embraer has over 1,200 employees in Florida, where it operates a production facility, a customer center, and a service center.
GE Aviation
GE Aviation is a subsidiary of General Electric that provides aircraft engines, avionics, and electrical power systems. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a design center in West Palm Beach, a manufacturing plant in Clearwater, and a service center in Jacksonville.
Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a subsidiary of United Technologies that produce aircraft engines for commercial and military applications. The company operates several facilities in Florida, including a design center in West Palm Beach and a manufacturing plant in West Palm Beach.
Boeing
Boeing is one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, with a significant presence in Florida. The company manufactures and services commercial and military aircraft, as well as space vehicles and satellites. Boeing has over 1,400 employees in Florida, where it operates a production facility, a training center, and a research center.
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that provides advanced technology solutions for defense and space applications. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a production facility in Orlando, a training center in Pensacola, and a research center in West Palm Beach.
Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a global aerospace and defense technology company that produces military aircraft, space systems, and electronics. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a manufacturing plant in Melbourne and a research center in St. Augustine.
Honeywell Aerospace
Honeywell Aerospace is a subsidiary of Honeywell International that provides aerospace products and services, including engines, avionics, and control systems. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a design center in Clearwater and a service center in West Palm Beach.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue Airways is a low-cost airline that operates primarily in the United States and the Caribbean. The company has a significant presence in Florida, where it operates a crew base in Fort Lauderdale and a training center in Orlando.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit Airlines is an ultra-low-cost carrier that operates flights throughout the United States, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The company has a significant presence in Florida, where it operates a crew base in Fort Lauderdale and a maintenance facility in Miramar.
Gulfstream Aerospace
Gulfstream Aerospace is a subsidiary of General Dynamics that produces executive jets and provides related services. The company has a significant presence in Florida, where it operates a production facility in Savannah and a service center in West Palm Beach.
Piper Aircraft
Piper Aircraft is a manufacturer of general aviation aircraft, including single-engine and twin-engine airplanes. The company has a production facility in Vero Beach, Florida, where it produces its M-Class and Twin-Class aircraft.
L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris Technologies is a global aerospace and defense technology company that provides advanced communication and electronics solutions for defense, aviation, and space applications. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a production facility in Sarasota and a research center in Melbourne.
AAR Corp
AAR Corp is a global aerospace and defense contractor that provides logistics, maintenance, and repair services for commercial and military aircraft. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a maintenance and repair facility in Miami and a parts distribution center in Miramar.
Bristow Group
Bristow Group is a global provider of helicopter transportation services for offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, and other applications. The company has a significant presence in Florida, where it operates a training center in Titusville and provides services for offshore operations.
FlightSafety International
FlightSafety International is a provider of aviation training services, including simulator-based training for pilots and maintenance technicians. The company has a training center in Vero Beach, Florida, where it provides training for various aircraft types.
Harris Corporation
Harris Corporation is a global communications and information technology company that provides advanced solutions for defense, aviation, and space applications. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a research center in Melbourne and a manufacturing plant in Palm Bay.
Chromalloy
Chromalloy is a global provider of advanced repair, overhaul, and maintenance services for gas turbine engines used in aviation, energy, and defense applications. The company has a repair and overhaul facility in Tampa, Florida, where it provides services for various engine types.
AAR Aircraft Services
AAR Aircraft Services is a subsidiary of AAR Corp that provides aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for commercial and military aircraft. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a maintenance and repair facility in Miami and a paint and refurbishment center in Jacksonville.
Aerospace Technologies Group
Aerospace Technologies Group is a provider of aerospace products and services, including engineering, design, and manufacturing. The company has a manufacturing facility in Palm Bay, Florida, producing a range of aerospace components and systems.
Aviation Partners Group
Aviation Partners Group is a provider of aviation services, including aircraft sales, leasing, and management. The company has a significant presence in Florida, where it operates a management and charter service in Miami and provides aircraft sales services in Fort Lauderdale.
RS Technologies
DRS Technologies is a subsidiary of Leonardo DRS that provides advanced electronics and systems solutions for defense and aviation applications. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a manufacturing plant in St. Petersburg and a research center in Melbourne.
Jet Aviation
Jet Aviation is a provider of aviation services, including aircraft management, charter, and maintenance. The company has a significant presence in Florida, where it operates a maintenance and repair facility in West Palm Beach and provides aircraft management services in Miami.
Simcom Aviation Training
Simcom Aviation Training is a provider of aviation training services, including simulator-based training for pilots and maintenance technicians. The company has a training center in Orlando, Florida, where it provides training for various aircraft types.
Teledyne Technologies
Teledyne Technologies is a global provider of advanced instrumentation, digital imaging, and electronics solutions for defense, aviation, and space applications. The company has several facilities in Florida, including a manufacturing plant in Daytona Beach and a research center in Melbourne.
General Electric Aviation
General Electric Aviation is a leading provider of advanced aviation technology solutions based in Jacksonville, including jet engines, integrated systems, and advanced materials. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing and research and development.
UTC Aerospace Systems
Based in Jacksonville, UTC Aerospace Systems is a global aerospace and defense company that provides advanced technology systems and services to customers in the aviation and defense industries. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing, research and development, and customer support.
Sikorsky Aircraft
Sikorsky Aircraft is a global manufacturer of helicopters, with operations in Florida focusing on research and development and customer support.
Aerojet Rocketdyne
Aerojet Rocketdyne is a global aerospace and defense company that designs and manufactures advanced propulsion systems, including rockets, missile defense systems, and hypersonic propulsion systems. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing, research and development, and testing.
Raytheon Technologies
Headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Raytheon Technologies is a global aerospace and defense company that provides advanced technology systems and services to customers in the aviation and defense industries. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing, research, and development.
Collins Aerospace
Collins Aerospace is a global aerospace and defense company that provides advanced technology systems and services to customers in the aviation and defense industries. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing, research and development, and customer support.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is a U.S. government agency responsible for space exploration and research. NASA’s operations in Florida include the Kennedy Space Center, where rockets are launched and space missions are planned and executed.
Pratt & Whitney
Pratt & Whitney is a global aerospace company that designs and manufactures aircraft engines, including the famous Pratt & Whitney PW4000 engine. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing, research and development, and customer support.
Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins is a global aerospace and defense company that provides advanced technology systems and services to customers in the aviation and defense industries. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing, research and development, and customer support.
Safran USA
Safran USA is a global aerospace and defense company that provides advanced technology systems and services to customers in the aviation and defense industries. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing, research and development, and customer support.
B/E Aerospace
B/E Aerospace is a global manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products, including seating, lighting, and galley systems. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing and research and development.
Spirit AeroSystems
Spirit AeroSystems is a global aerospace company that designs and manufactures aerostructures, including fuselages, wings, and nacelles. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing and research and development.
Harris Corporation RF Communications Division
Harris Corporation RF Communications Division is a division of Harris Corporation that provides advanced communication solutions to customers in the defense, government, and commercial sectors. The division’s operations in Florida include research and development and customer support.
Garmin International
Garmin International is a global technology company that designs and manufactures GPS navigation and communication devices for aviation, automotive, and marine applications. The company’s operations in Florida include research and development and customer support.
GKN Aerospace
GKN Aerospace is a global aerospace company that designs and manufactures aerostructures, including wing components, fuselage components, and engine components. The company’s operations in Florida include manufacturing and research and development.
In conclusion,
Florida is home to a thriving aviation and aerospace industry, with numerous companies specializing in various aspects of the industry. These companies range from aircraft manufacturers to technology providers, and from defense contractors to commercial aviation companies.
The top companies listed above are just a small sample of the vibrant and innovative aviation and aerospace community that can be found throughout the state.