The Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) market is emerging rapidly, necessitating several supporting technologies and infrastructure. All these components are interrelated and critical for the successful operation of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Among these, high capacity Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) communications, autonomous vehicle operations, advanced air traffic control tools, and robust cybersecurity for onboard computers and communication links are pivotal.
The most fundamental requirement for AAM operations is a place to take off and land; this operating base is known as a vertiport. For several of the sub-markets in AAM, the infrastructure for takeoff and landing either exists or can be easily integrated into existing land space. The same cannot be said for Urban Air Mobility as the challenges are much more significant, making opportunities for competitors in a secondary market more lucrative. There are several companies leading the global integration of AAM operations around the world. Some of these companies include Skyports Infrastructure Limited in the UK, UrbanV S.P.A. in Spain, Urban-Air Port in the UK, Group ADP in France, Ferrovial Vertiports in the US and Skyportz in Australia.
This article will provide insight into the key requirements, challenges and current regulations that shape the design and construction of vertiports.
Vertiport Requirements
To ensure the efficient and safe operation of eVTOLs, vertiports must meet several essential requirements. These requirements have both obvious and nuanced challenges:
Providing Landing and Takeoff Support
Vertiports must be designed to accommodate the unique takeoff and landing needs of eVTOLs. This includes sufficient space for maneuvering and appropriate surfaces that can handle the vertical thrust generated by these aircraft.
Passenger Areas
Comfortable and functional passenger areas are necessary to facilitate boarding and disembarking, ensuring a seamless and pleasant experience for eVTOL users. These areas may include waiting lounges, ticket counters, and baggage handling facilities. Depending on the expected number of passengers, this may require a significant percentage of the available land area and limit the number of vehicles that could service operations. The balance for these considerations will most likely drive the overall design and function of the passenger terminal.
Electrical Charging Capability
As eVTOLs are electric, they require robust electrical charging infrastructure. Vertiports must provide fast and efficient charging solutions to minimize downtime and ensure that the aircraft are always ready for operation.
Maintenance Capability
Regular maintenance is essential for the safety and reliability of eVTOLs. Vertiports should have facilities and equipment to perform routine inspections, repairs, and servicing.
Operations Support
Scheduling flights, processing passengers and possibly coordinating with other transportation modalities will be conducted at the vertiports to some degree. In some instances, the vertiport will require facilities and equipment to control eVTOLs arriving and departing while interfacing into the larger National Air Space.
Emergency Capability
Safety is paramount in aviation, and vertiports must be equipped with emergency response capabilities, including fire fighting, crash, and rescue services. These measures ensure that any incidents are managed promptly and effectively.
Regulatory Environment
Regulations provide guidance with relation to a subset of these requirements – primarily the physical layout of the vertiport. Unfortunately, there is still no unified document for international standards. In fact, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has not published any vertiport design criteria beyond those established for heliports. This has left the various regional regulatory authorities to create their own specifications. A review of a few of the more influential aviation agencies shows similar standards for visual aids, approach/departure and transition airspace, obstacle clearance, infrastructure and structural load capacity. However, there is no single standard.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released the United States specification regulation with Engineering Brief (EB) No. 105 in September 2022. Designed as foundational to establishing a standalone Advanced Air Mobility regulatory framework in the United States, the FAA has recently stepped away from this position. In December 2024, Engineering Brief No. 105A, Vertiport Design, Supplemental Guidance to Advisory Circular 150/5390-2D, Heliport Design was issued. This document brought the standards for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft back in alignment and under the design umbrella for heliports. Additionally, the EB noted that there would be continued updates as the FAA obtained more data on VTOL aircraft performance and operations.
Other agencies have not had the same reversal and remain focused on vertiports separate from heliports. EASA’s guidance on vertiport design was issued in March 2022 with the publication of The Prototype Technical Specification for the Design of VFR Vertiports for Operation with Manned VTOL-Capable Aircraft Certified in the Enhanced Category (PTS-VPT-DSN). As this is a preliminary document, EASA is working on further rule making to develop the overarching requirement for vertiport operations. The Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CAAS) of the Australian Government release their own document in and Advisory Circular AC 139.V-01v1.0: Guidance for vertiport design in July 2023. Like other vertiport regulatory documents, the circular specifies design elements for vertiports. Finally, China’s news agency Baidu reported that the China Civil Airports Association (CCAA) released the Technical Requirements for Electrical Vertical Take-off and Landing Aircraft (eVTOL) Landing Fields in May 2024.
Challenges and Solutions
While these specifications provide standards and guidance for the design and manufacturing of vertiports, the integration and establishment of vertiports require considerable planning. During this planning process several challenges must be addressed to ensure their successful implementation. The following are just a few of the more obvious issues:
Electrical Grid Capacity and Upgrades
The electrical grid must be capable of supporting the high energy demands of charging multiple eVTOLs. This may require significant upgrades to existing infrastructure to provide reliable and efficient power supply. While it is becoming increasingly common to see electric vehicle charging stations, the impact of electric aircraft charging will require significant upgrades to local electric supply grids.
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released a study in October 2023 funded by the FAA. The results highlighted several issues including site load demands that would exceed design by 300-400% and overload the existing electrical lines and transformers. Additionally, without the upgrades there would be severe under voltage conditions for aircraft charging integrated on existing airport infrastructure. Solutions to this challenge have ranged from installing solar farms on nearby land dedicated for the electrical requirement of the eVTOL, to small modular nuclear reactors that could be added to supplement local requirements.
Passenger Security
Ensuring the security of passengers is a critical concern. Vertiports must implement robust security measures, including screening processes and surveillance systems, to protect passengers and staff from potential threats. One of the main arguments of the UAM business case is time savings compared to ground transportation. Further, the ability to quickly move through security using systems like facial recognition and secure biometric scans will be another key issue. Lastly, the key to the implementation of this technology will be to show the public that their personal data is safe.
Downwash and Outwash for eVTOLs
An FAA survey of three prototype eVTOLs release in December 2024 showed a significant issue with down wash and outwash velocities for these new style aircraft. These high velocity airflows, not normally associated with legacy helicopters, can impact nearby structures and people both at the vertiport and along the outbound flight path. This concern will require consideration both for mitigation on the ground and air traffic flow. Vertiport designs must account for these forces and alleviate their effects to ensure safety.
Some have suggested a porous landing surface like gridded matting to ensure the downflow is captured and directed away under the surface. Even rough surfaces that would disrupt the flow enough to limited hazards may be a possible solution. Skyportz CEO Clem Newton Brown, recently shared that they have patented a vertipad that mitigates these issues. Skyportz being ahead of this challenge highlights that their design has shown good results in CFD modeling, and results would be available in the near future.
Optimal Location
To ensure profitable operations, vertiports site selection must balance a variety of factors. Vertiports must be seamlessly integrated with other modes of transportation. This includes connections to public transit systems, roads, and other infrastructure to ensure that passengers can easily access vertiports and continue their journeys with minimal disruption. Finding the most suitable integration requires detailed information on things like ground traffic patterns, population density, and local airspace restrictions. Additionally, the issues of downwash and outwash, electric grid capacity, as well as compliance with regulations and aircraft performance must be taken into account.
While this complex problem seems daunting, there are several groups with current capabilities to help civic planners and UAM operators pick the best location. At least two companies have created software that allows both simulation and iterative optimization for the challenge.
A small US company founded in 2021, Alcifo, provides planners and operators with a tool to decide appropriate locations for vertiports. As their website explains, “It seamlessly integrates aircraft and battery design with market demand, infrastructure, and a high-fidelity on-demand air taxi operational model. Leveraging AI and the advancements in system-of-systems design, multidisciplinary design optimization, and high-performance cloud computing, our platform replicates real-world air taxi operations and economics early in the design and planning stages.”
Similarly, LYNEports, a French company founded in 2023, also produces aerodrome planning software for the AAM market. According to their CEO and Founder, Rasha Alshami, “LYNEports offers a holistic approach to designing and planning vertical landing locations, aligning with various regulatory guidelines. Our software enables users to simulate operations and flights, and it is rich in data; covering everything from land use and airspace to real estate marketplaces. This allows users to optimize their site selection process for suitable landing locations.” Ms. Alshami goes on to point out, “In addition to our software, we offer the first-of-its-kind online training program at an affordable cost, ensuring accessibility for everyone to tap into this growing industry and contribute meaningfully. The program includes a certificate of completion and access to the LYNEports software, making it an invaluable resource for anyone looking to enhance their expertise in vertiport planning and advanced air mobility.”
Conclusion
The development of vertiports is a crucial aspect of the Advanced Air Mobility market, requiring a comprehensive approach to design and infrastructure. By addressing the key requirements and challenges and leveraging the expertise of companies working on vertiport solutions, we can pave the way for the successful integration of eVTOLs into our transportation systems. This will not only enhance urban mobility but also contribute to a more sustainable and efficient future.
