Guidelines for vertiport design - Draft Advisory Circular 139.V-01 v1.0

We sought your feedback on the draft advisory circular (AC) 139.V-01 guidelines for vertiport design. The consultation period was between 30 November 2022 and 31 March 2023. The proposal was for initial guidance for a new type of aerodrome designed to service next-generation vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capable aircraft (VCA).

Vertiport sites can be in urban and regional locations as well as on existing aerodromes. Draft AC 139.V-01 v1.0 - Guidelines for vertiport design, is intended to provide guidance and information to people designing and constructing vertiports in support of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations.

About this consultation

To assist the future introduction of AAM aircraft, proponents had sought information about vertiports to support the development and introduction of infrastructure to support the emergency AAM industry. The guidance is intended to guide those who are in the early stages of vertiport development.

The guidance provided is structured in such a way that it will evolve with the industry. Accordingly, this first AC was developed to support performance-based outcomes to suit the intended operational needs of the vertiport, and their intended aircraft operations.

This AC provides initial guidance on developing vertiports and includes:

• site selection including downwash protection
• physical characteristics
• obstacle limitation surfaces
• visuals aids including markings, markers and lights.

We received 36 responses. Twelve responses were from vertiport developers, potential vertiport owner/operators and aviation consultants. Three were from existing aerodrome operators. Seven were from AAM aircraft manufacturers, aircraft operators or potential AAM aircraft pilots/crew. Fourteen responses were from others.

Summary of feedback

The feedback supported the proposed guidance. However, there was a view that existing heliport guidance material would be suitable for early crewed AAM operations in visual conditions. The majority of feedback supported the performance-based outcomes approach.

Some responses, although important, addressed matters outside the scope of AC 139.V-01, such as focussing on the performance of the aircraft or crew. Where appropriate and applicable, CASA has noted those comments and will use that feedback when developing further guidance and regulatory documents.

Of particular interest, comments on downwash, obstacle limitation surfaces (OLS) and the requirements for solid Final Approach and Take-off Areas (FATO) were common themes in the responses.

We appreciate all the comments provided by the respondents to this consultation.

A thorough review of the responses was completed with the feedback used to improve the guidance material.

Regarding downwash and outwash, Table 1 ‘guidelines for maximum downwash velocity’ was removed and more information and guidance was included. Specific advice on downwash and outwash impacts at and in the vicinity of vertiports cannot be finalised until information from AAM aircraft manufacturers becomes available.

It should be noted that a new definition ‘downwash protection zone’ had been included in the AC, which is consistent with new guidance for heliports from ICAO in the ‘heliport manual’ (Doc 9261). 

To further assist understanding of the OLS, drawings were updated with more notations, improved orientation, and inclusion of indicative AAM aircraft flight paths.

Regarding the need for a solid FATO, the understanding of proposed and actual AAM aircraft performance and any rejected take-off requirements is not yet sufficient to move away from the solid FATO requirement.

In addition to these items, guidance on geometry-based aircraft parking stands has been included for ground manoeuvring aircraft and apron safety markings have now been included in the guidance material.

Along with these amendments, ICAO’s vertical flight infrastructure working group, the Aviation Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP) Vertiport Design and Operations Technical Working Group, and CASA’s internal Non-Conventional Aerodrome Regulatory Framework working group are now working towards developing a performance-based outcome framework for AAM landing site infrastructure; this may widen the future focus of AC 139.V-01 Guidelines for vertiport design.