Regulatory Alert: FAA Releases Draft Updated Vertiport Design Standards - Register for Virtual Industry Day
September 20, 2024
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Airports released draft Engineering Brief (EB) 105A, Vertiport Design, which focuses on the design standards for vertiports and the facilities where vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft operate. The primary changes include modifications to geometry sizing, adding aircraft parking areas, and the establishment of a downwash and outwash protection area.
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 the draft EB 105A on Monday, September 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT. During this time, the FAA will present an overview of the EB 105A update, highlight key elements of the draft under review, and offer attendees the chance to ask questions about the update. Registration is required to receive the meeting link, and you can sign up by clicking here.
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. 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.
Overview of Changes. Draft EB 105A introduces several key updates related to vertiport design standards:
Today, the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Office of Airports released draft Engineering Brief (EB) 105A, Vertiport Design, which focuses on the design standards for vertiports and the facilities where vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft operate. The primary changes include modifications to geometry sizing, adding aircraft parking areas, and the establishment of a downwash and outwash protection area.
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 the draft EB 105A on Monday, September 30, from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EDT. During this time, the FAA will present an overview of the EB 105A update, highlight key elements of the draft under review, and offer attendees the chance to ask questions about the update. Registration is required to receive the meeting link, and you can sign up by clicking here.
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. 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.
Overview of Changes. Draft EB 105A introduces several key updates related to vertiport design standards:
- Geometry: The update introduces a performance-based approach to landing geometry that focuses on the propulsion units of the VTOL, which may be smaller than the full VTOL aircraft size. The geometry of the touchdown and liftoff area (TLOF) and final approach and takeoff area (FATO) are now based on the propulsion dimensions, resulting in smaller safety areas for both powered-lift and non-powered-lift aircraft.
- Powered/Non-powered-lift: Aircraft are now categorized by powered-lift and non-powered-lift characteristics.
- Powered-lift: Heavier-than-air aircraft capable of vertical takeoff, vertical landing, and low speed flight that depends principally on engine-driven lift devices or engine thrust for lift during these flight regimes and on non-rotating airfoil(s) for lift during horizontal flight (14 CFR Part 1).
- Non-powered lift: A rotorcraft with 3 or more propulsion units which doesn’t have a wing and doesn’t feature a transitional phase.
- Vertiport Parking: Vertiports should have designated areas for multiple VTOLs, with space based on the aircraft’s size and weight. Key design considerations include adequate separation between parking positions, supporting static loads, and ensuring enough clearance between aircraft and fixed objects. Parking areas can be large, paved spaces or individual spots, and they must account for the turn radius of VTOLs and safety requirements. Other considerations include safe passenger walkways, recessed tiedowns for parking, and proper storage for tiedown equipment.
- Downwash and Outwash (DWOW) Caution Area: The updated draft introduces a Downwash and Outwash Caution Area (DCA) to address the strong airflow created by VTOL aircraft during takeoff and landing. This airflow can pose risks to people and property when air speeds exceed 34.5 mph. To ensure safety, vertiports should designate these caution areas, restrict access during operations, and use proper design and barriers to prevent debris or dangerous wind patterns. The goal is to minimize risks to bystanders and nearby structures during VTOL operations.
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. Click here to pre-register for the event. 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. If you have feedback on the guidance, please share your input with Megan Eisenstein by Friday, October 11.
