Regulatory Alert: FAA Announces Draft Updated Vertiport Design Standards and Virtual Industry Day
FAA Announces Draft Updated Vertiport Design Standards and Virtual Industry Day
September 16, 2024
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Airports announced a draft update to Engineering Brief (EB) 105, which focuses on the design standards for vertiports and the facilities where electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft operate. The revision, referred to as EB 105A, builds on the original EB 105 that was released in September 2022, introducing key changes such as adjustments to vertiport geometry, aircraft parking guidance, and a protection area to address aircraft downwash and outwash, all informed by operational testing with eVTOL manufacturers that has occurred in recent years.
In its notice today, FAA indicated the draft EB 105A will be available on its website starting this Friday, September 20. The FAA is requesting comments on the draft to help shape the final version, which is expected to be released later this year. Comments must be submitted via email to vertiports@faa.gov by Friday, October 18.
The FAA will also hold a virtual industry day on draft EB 105A on Monday, September 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT, to present on the revised brief and answer questions. Registration is required to receive the meeting link, and you can sign up starting Friday, September 20, once the page is updated.
Background. In September 2022, FAA released Engineering Brief No. 105, Vertiport Design, following public input on the draft interim guidance published in March 2022. This document outlines interim design standards for vertiports and vertistops at federally obligated airports, addressing both new facilities and modifications to existing helicopter and airplane landing sites for eVTOL aircraft. Due to limited performance data on eVTOL aircraft, the guidance took a cautious approach, with the FAA noting it will evolve as more data becomes available. EB 105 provided the initial framework for vertiport infrastructure development, and future updates are expected to shift toward performance-based standards, incorporating advanced technologies, alternative fuel sources, and larger aircraft.
Under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, Congress required FAA to release an updated engineering brief by December 31, 2024, and performance-based vertiport design standards through a draft Advisory Circular (AC) by December 31, 2025. In the notice today, FAA indicated that the agency intends to release the AC on vertiport design sometime in 2025 to provide additional guidance, after which EB 105A will be canceled.
What’s Next? FAA will hold a virtual industry day meeting on Monday, September 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT. The link to pre-register for the event will be available on Friday, September 20. All written feedback on draft EB 105A must be submitted to the FAA by Friday, October 18. FAA plans to release a final version of EB 105A on vertiport design later this year.
The AAAE Emerging Aviation Technologies Working Group will be hosting its next meeting on Tuesday, October 8, at 3 p.m. EDT to discuss the draft EB in greater detail. We will be working closely with our members to determine whether to submit comments to FAA on the draft EB. Please feel free to contact Megan Eisenstein if you would like to participate in the WG meeting or if you have any questions or comments on the draft EB.
