Australia’s aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) today released Guidelines for Vertiport Design following extensive community and industry consultation.

“This is a great step forward for Australia and shows our preparedness to welcome this new industry into Australian skies,” said vertiport infrastructure developer, Clem Newton-Brown from Skyportz.

“There is no doubt the aircraft are coming. However, the potential for this industry will only be achieved if we break the nexus between aviation and airports and enable a new class of land use to emerge, giving property owners the opportunity to host electric air taxi vertiports”.

Skyportz has been collecting together options on a stable of potential vertiport sites primarily in Australia and has many hundreds of enthusiastic property partners. This new document will provide more clarity on the development of sites for vertiport uses. The Australian regulations will allow corporate branded vertiports, enabling companies such as Skyportz to develop operational networks.

“We look forward to welcoming air taxi developers to Australia to operate from our network of Skyportz vertiports in the future,” added Newton-Brown.

The advisory circular (AC) provides initial guidance in the planning and physical design of vertiports to support the safe and efficient operation of eVTOL capable aircraft operating with a pilot on board in visual conditions only.

It is not intended to restrict or limit a pilot from determining the most suitable area for landing or take-off. Where possible, outcome-based guidance is provided. While regulations were previously written in a prescriptive manner, organisations are now also required to develop processes that will deliver an effective outcome.

The document is available from the following link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/dfzklxrzysn239dn0faes/CASA-vertiport-design-final‑7–2023.pdf?rlkey=b7h4cet0yklr7g1g38gb11jmt&dl=0

In December 2022, CASA released draft guidelines for vertiport construction to service eVTOL infrastructure.