The FAA’s Office of Airports is requesting comments on a draft engineering brief for vertiport and vertistop design standards to accommodate upcoming electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The deadline for comments on the brief is April 18, and the FAA will hold a virtual meeting on March 29 at 11 a.m. eastern time to discuss the draft and answer questions.
According to the FAA, the engineering brief is written specifically for vertical takeoff and landing aircraft powered with electric motors and using distributed electric propulsion, in contrast to propulsion systems built solely around an internal combustion engine. Development of the final standards will lead to an eVTOL vertiport design advisory circular anticipated to be released in 2024.
“This engineering brief is part of an early stage of a process to define design standards for vertiports to support operations of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft being developed as part of the emerging advanced air mobility industry,” said Alex Gertsen, NBAA’s director of airports and ground infrastructure. “The initial guidance is the result of a multi-year effort for the FAA, during which the agency engaged with the NBAA and other stakeholders.”