Vertiport Downwash Solutions: Skyportz Patented Vertipad Technology

Australian vertiport developer Skyportz has unveiled an innovative patent that addresses one of the most significant obstacles facing urban air mobility: the powerful and potentially dangerous airflows generated by eVTOL (electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. Released at the Avalon International Airshow in Melbourne, this innovative approach effectively manages the downwash and outwash effects, having the potential to change the game for aerial transportation in cities.

When eVTOL aircraft hover, land, or take off, they create two problematic airflow patterns. Downwash is the vertical, downward flow of air produced by rotors or propellers, while outwash is the lateral, outward airflow that occurs when this downwash hits the landing surface. Recent FAA studies have revealed these effects can generate hurricane-force winds reaching nearly 100 mph—winds that can easily extend beyond designated safety areas.

The FAA highlighted this concern in Engineering Brief 105A (January 2025), which indicated that vertipads would need wind safety zones extending beyond the landing surface wherever speeds exceed 34.5 mph. Without mitigation, these safety requirements would significantly increase the footprint needed for urban vertipads, making them impractical in dense city environments.

The Skyportz Solution

The Skyportz vertipad employs innovative design elements to manage these powerful airflows:

• Surface Treatments: The patent incorporates specialized surface texturing that disrupts laminar airflow patterns, converting kinetic energy into dissipating vortices.
• Mechanical Systems: Subsurface mechanical devices create a "Magnus effect" that redirects outwash away from passenger areas while accelerating energy dissipation.
• Modular Design: Hexagonal units allow for customizable configurations that fit various urban spaces while maintaining safety standards.

 

Proven Performance

Research from Swinburne University of Technology has validated the design's effectiveness. According to Professor Justin Leontini from the Department of Mechanical and Product Design Engineering, "The design concept of the Skyportz vertipad could dissipate power up to two and a half times faster than if an air taxi were to use a flat concrete landing surface." This increased energy dissipation rate has significant practical implications: "The safety area requirements around a vertipad could be reduced, enabling operations from smaller footprints safely," explains Professor Leontini.

 

Commercial Interest and Market Impact

Since its unveiling, the Skyportz vertipad has attracted substantial commercial interest. After its industry event presentation, the company reports over 1,000 orders for the patented design. These orders have come from aircraft Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and infrastructure investors, demonstrating broad industry recognition of the solution's value.

Skyportz CEO Clem Newton-Brown emphasizes the economic implications: "We envisage that those properties with vertipads will attract higher rents as businesses seek to provide air taxi services for customers". The company projects that commercial properties with vertipads could command 12-15% higher rents, while industrial sites with vertipad approvals have seen 30% valuation increases in Australian markets.

 

The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

The vertipad addresses what Newton-Brown describes as "the missing piece of the puzzle" for urban air mobility: "Without a multitude of new vertipad landing sites in places people want to go, the aircraft will never fulfill their potential."

This infrastructure challenge has been widely recognized as a potential bottleneck for the industry. Newton-Brown notes, "The elephant in the room is that no one wants to pay millions of dollars for each vertiport. We have got the message and responded with this patent".

 

Global Expansion Plans

Protected by Australian provisional patent number 2024901767, Skyportz plans to license the manufacturing and distribution of the vertipad globally. The company is employing a tiered licensing strategy to address regional needs:

• Full patent access in developed markets

• Joint ventures in Asia-Pacific regions

• Simplified "vertipad-in-a-box" kits for emerging economies

Skyportz is currently in discussions with investors interested in producing the product globally, positioning itself to establish the design as an industry standard by 2030.

 

The Skyportz vertipad patent represents a significant advancement in addressing urban air mobility's critical infrastructure challenges. By effectively managing downwash and outwash effects, the design enables vertiport deployment in urban spaces that would otherwise be impractical due to safety concerns. With substantial industry interest, regulatory alignment, and validated performance, the patent could unlock the potential of eVTOL aircraft by providing the landing infrastructure they need to operate safely in urban environments.