What Safety Features Should eVTOL Vertiports Include?

The FAA solicits public comment on a draft document detailing requirements for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vertiports.

Thom Patterson

Thursday, March 03, 2022 at 02:46 PM ET

Verified

The FAA is proposing warning signs such as this one be required at vertiports [Courtesy: FAA]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is soliciting public feedback by April 18 on a draft document outlining safety and design standards for U.S. vertiports that will service emerging electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis.
Key considerations addressed in the draft include passenger security screening requirements (TSA), unique fire safety challenges related to eVTOL aircraft and charging infrastructure, and specific aircraft design characteristics (e.g., size, propulsion, downwash).
Vertiports are anticipated at existing airports, and the FAA emphasizes ensuring safety, efficiency, and non-discriminatory access for all aeronautical users in the nascent eVTOL industry.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The FAA wants to know: What safety and design features should be required at U.S. vertiports servicing electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis?

The agency essentially posed the question to airport owners and operators on Twitter on Tuesday in the form of an FAA draft document that takes a deep dive into various design and safety factors surrounding this emerging new form of transportation.