FAA’s Updated Guidelines of Vertiport Design: A Closer Look at EB105A
Executive Overview
The FAA’s Engineering Brief (EB) 105A, published on Dec 27, 2024, represents the latest guidance for designing and operating vertiports—facilities intended to support electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and compatible helicopters. For airport managers and community planners exploring the addition of a vertiport, EB 105A offers important insight into the FAA’s current thinking on:
Vertiport facilities and infrastructure design - including design details for touchdown and liftoff areas, safety zones, etc.;
Vertiport placement and airspace integration - providing guidance on positioning relative to runways, approach/departure paths, etc.;
Airport Layout Plans (ALPs) - requiring inclusion of vertiport plans on ALPs for federally obligated airports; and
Charging, safety, and industry standards - identifying existing standards (e.g., IFC, NFPA, IEEE, SAE, and UL) as proxies for future vertiport-specific standards.
Local jurisdictions control airport development through land-use, zoning, and other regulatory structures; nevertheless, EB 105A is critical for airports to understand as it outlines FAA guidelines for vertiport infrastructure, which guidelines are often adopted by local jurisdictions, and which are required for certain federally funded and supported airports. Below is a deeper dive into the key elements of EB 105A that airport stakeholders should be familiar with.
EB105A Deep Dive
1. Vertiports as a class of Heliports, but with notable differences
FAA classification: EB 105A treats vertiports as a type of heliport, meaning they inherit many foundational requirements related to obstacle clearance, safety areas, and approach/departure corridors from traditional heliport guidance.
New operational realities: Despite the heliport umbrella, vertiports are expected to see high-frequency, high-volume operations not common at today’s heliports. Additionally, eVTOLs introduce new power and control systems, more rotors, etc., necessitating different performance and safety parameters and the need for charging infrastructure. As such, the FAA is preparing for “vertiports” to be more complex than the typical single-pad heliport in use today, and resulting in specific parameters outlined in EB105A.
2. Airport Layout Plan (ALP) requirements
Depiction on ALP: For federally obligated airports, any vertiport infrastructure (TLOFs, approach corridors, charging areas, passenger facilities) must be included on the ALP to ensure compliance with FAA standards and maintain eligibility for federal funding.
Coordination with existing runways and helipads: EB 105A encourages airport sponsors to carefully map out how vertiport facilities will fit alongside existing runways, taxiways, or helipads. This helps the FAA assess potential airspace conflicts and ensures there is no unsafe overlap in approach/departure paths.
3. Placement relative to existing infrastructure
Runway separation: Building on legacy heliport criteria, EB 105A underscores the importance of ensuring adequate separation between vertiport touchdown/liftoff areas (TLOFs) and existing runways or taxi routes. Such separation is necessary to avoid airspace conflicts and reduce risk of wake turbulence or rotor downwash affecting other aircraft.
Approach and departure paths: Vertiports are envisioned as requiring dedicated approach/departure corridors that may differ from fixed-wing approach slopes. In evaluating these corridors, airport managers should consider:some text
Obstacles or terrain that could interfere with eVTOL operations;
Noise-sensitive areas if flights are expected to be frequent; and
Potential IFR integration, although EB 105A mainly focuses on VFR operations for now.
Proximity to passenger facilities: Because many AAM concepts envision frequent passenger turnover (similar to an “air taxi”), locating the vertiport near terminal or parking areas is encouraged to streamline ground transport, reduce passenger walking distances, and enhance overall efficiency.
4. Charging Infrastructure and Industry Standards
References to IFC, NFPA, IEEE, SAE, and UL: EB 105A does not prescribe a single charging standard but points to various codes and guidelines that airports can use to plan safe electrification:some text
IFC (International Fire Code) and NFPA guidance address fire safety measures for battery storage and handling; and
IEEE, SAE, and UL cover electrical design, testing, and equipment standards to ensure reliable high-voltage power for eVTOL charging.
Battery safety and fire suppression: As eVTOL operations scale up, fire protection systems become vital for battery incidents. EB 105A emphasizes the importance of coordinating with local fire codes and potentially setting aside dedicated areas for charging, maintenance, or emergency response.
5. Anticipating high-throughput operations
Multiple TLOFs and ground movements: Unlike a typical heliport with a single touchdown pad, eVTOL models often predict multiple simultaneous landings and departures. EB 105A offers early guidance on:some text
Staging areas for multiple eVTOLs waiting to charge or depart.
Passenger flow between gates or lounges and TLOFs, potentially requiring controlled access points and efficient queueing.
Aircraft performance variation: eVTOL designs range from multirotor to tilt-rotor to lift-and-cruise hybrids. Airport planners should anticipate varying approach speeds, flight envelopes, and rotor downwash levels when laying out infrastructure.
6. Local Zoning and Long-Term Flexibility
Balancing federal and local requirements: Although EB 105A provides the federal aviation blueprint, local communities hold land-use and zoning authority. Incorporating local building codes, environmental reviews, and community input is key to successful vertiport development.
Future regulations and evolving standards: EB 105A is still an interim measure—the FAA expects to refine vertiport guidance as AAM matures. Planning with flexibility in mind can help airports avoid costly retrofits if final regulations shift.
Key Takeaways for Airport Managers
Integrate vertiport plans into your ALP: If your airport receives federal funding or aims to remain eligible, you’ll need to depict vertiport facilities on the ALP and ensure they align with the FAA’s design guidelines.
Evaluate runway separation and airspace conflicts: Proper spacing from runways, taxiways, and approach corridors is crucial to maintain safe, efficient operations for both eVTOL and conventional aircraft.
Incorporate charging and fire safety early: Future-proof your vertiport design by planning for battery charging stations and referencing established standards (IFC, NFPA, IEEE, SAE, UL) to address electrical capacity and fire protection.
Consider high-volume operations and passenger flow: eVTOL services may have more frequent landings, departures, and passenger turnover than a traditional heliport—plan for multiple TLOFs, ground movement, passenger access, and potential IFR needs in the long term.
Remain adaptable: EB 105A is an important stepping stone, but further updates are likely. Design with enough flexibility to integrate future regulatory changes and evolving eVTOL technology.
Conclusion
EB 105A provides critical guidance for integrating vertiports into existing and planned airport environments. While it classifies vertiports as a type of heliport, the brief acknowledges their unique demands—from frequent eVTOL flights to high-voltage charging and more complex passenger flow. For airports aiming to attract advanced air mobility services, careful adherence to EB 105A’s recommendations—alongside local zoning and land-use regulations—can help pave the way for safe, efficient, and future-ready vertiport operations.
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(Note: EB 105A is an evolving guidance document and not a final regulatory rule. Always consult the latest FAA publications and coordinate with your local FAA Airports District Office for official clarifications.)
