The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released updated draft design standards for the establishment of vertical flight facilities across the US.
Unveiled as part of the FAA’s ongoing work to integrate Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft into US aviation operations, the draft standards will act as an initial proposal for the purpose of industry feedback, helping airport and heliport owners, operators and infrastructure developers design facilities for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The design standards include:
- Core Layout and Operating Space: Standards for essential facility elements, including the touchdown and liftoff areas, final approach areas, safety areas, and approach surfaces
- Lighting, markings and visual aids: Guidance for markings, perimeter lighting, glideslope indicators and visual aids for pilots
- Power and Charging Systems: Requirements for aircraft fueling and electric charging systems for aircraft fleets
- Airport Integration: Standards for integrating vertical flight infrastructure at existing airports without disrupting current operations
- Elevated and Rooftop Facilities: Design guidelines for touchdown and liftoff areas built on suitable rooftops and elevated building structures
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said:The next generation of aircraft is here, and we are ensuring we have the infrastructure built to support safe takeoffs and landings for them across the National Airspace System.
These aircraft have tremendous potential to generate new jobs, connect communities, and strengthen American leadership in aviation.
All newly-updated design standards have been developed in order to help ensure the United States is capable of delivering President Trump’s ‘Unleashing Drone Dominance Executive Order’, with all operational insights and real-world data gathered from the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) set to both help inform and refine future standards.
The new guidance combines previous design guidance for both heliports and vertiports, and the FAA will collaborate with industry partners and solicit public feedback on the draft before publishing final design standards in summer 2027.
