FAA updates vertiport design guidelines with new engineering brief
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently released Engineering Brief No. 105A, Vertiport Design, providing supplemental guidance to the agency’s Advisory Circular 150/5390-2D, Heliport Design.
The document is a revision of the original EB 105 issued in September 2022, and outlines key updates aimed at addressing the evolving infrastructure needs of vertiports designed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
According to the FAA, the principal changes include modifications to infrastructure classification, landing area geometry, markings, the addition of parking guidelines, and the introduction of a new downwash and outwash protection area.
Updates detailed in EB 105A
The FAA has outlined the following key updates in the revised brief:
Infrastructure classification
The brief has been restructured to supplement the existing heliport design advisory circular, introducing distinct requirements for vertiports. These requirements are similar to those for hospital or prior permission (PPR) heliports.
While the current advisory circular caters to helicopters with single, tandem, or dual rotors, EB 105A addresses the specific needs of vertiports accommodating VTOL aircraft with three or more propulsors.
Markings
Vertiport markings have been revised to align with other classes of heliport infrastructure. Notably, touchdown and liftoff areas (TLOFs) at vertiports will now include a “VTL” marking to distinguish them.
Geometry
Furthermore, the updated guideline introduces new parameters for landing area geometry. A subset of the controlling dimension, referred to as D, which represents the diameter of the smallest circle enclosing the entire VTOL aircraft, now focuses on the propulsion devices.
This subset, termed RD, represents the smallest circle enclosing only the propulsion units, which may be smaller than D for some designs.
Consequently, the dimensions of TLOFs, final approach and take-off areas (FATOs), and safety areas have been adjusted based on RD, resulting in smaller safety areas.
Parking
In addition, the brief includes a new section on VTOL parking, recommending larger parking positions designed to accommodate air or hover taxiing as well as ground taxiing.
Downwash and outwash caution area
Moreover, a new downwash/outwash caution area (DCA) has also been introduced, addressing the impact of rotor and propulsor airflow.
Referencing research conducted by the FAA Technical Centre, the brief provides example distances for aircraft weighing 7,000 pounds or less.
For more details and access to the full document, visit the FAA’s official webpage for Engineering Brief No. 105A.