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- Engineering Brief No. 105A, Vertiport Design. 2025
Engineering Brief No. 105A, Vertiport Design. 2025
New Updated
This Engineering Brief (EB) provides standards and guidance for the planning, designing, and constructing vertiports serving vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. It is a revision to the original EB 105 issued in 2022, with key updates to infrastructure classification, landing area geometry, markings, parking, and downwash/outwash protection. The EB is intended as interim guidance until a more comprehensive performance-based Advisory Circular is developed as more data on VTOL aircraft operations becomes available.
Engineering Brief No. 105A establishes design criteria for vertiports accommodating VTOL aircraft with three or more propulsors. Key aspects include:
- Infrastructure classification as a type of heliport with specific requirements
- Updated landing area geometry based on rotor diameter (RD) rather than overall aircraft dimension
- New vertiport markings, including "VTL" on the touchdown and liftoff area (TLOF)
- Guidance on VTOL parking areas supporting air/hover taxiing
- Addition of a downwash/outwash caution area (DCA) for safety
- Specifications for TLOF, final approach and takeoff area (FATO), and safety area dimensions
- Visual flight rules (VFR) approach/departure surface requirements
- Marking, lighting, and visual aid standards specific to vertiports
- Considerations for electric charging infrastructure and battery safety
- Guidance on integrating vertiports at existing airports
The EB focuses on pilot-operated VFR operations for VTOL aircraft meeting specified reference characteristics. It provides a framework for vertiport design while acknowledging the need for further research as VTOL technology evolves. The FAA intends to develop more comprehensive performance-based standards as additional operational data becomes available for emerging VTOL aircraft designs.
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