There are more solutions than obstacles. Nicolas Zart
Debunking Misconceptions in Advanced Air Mobility
There is a common misconception in the developing world of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) that heliports can be easily upgraded to become vertiports. Unfortunately, this notion is not correct for the vast majority of heliports and can potentially lead airports and municipalities into costly errors. Our experienced team at Electric Air Mobility, LLC, is here to shed some light on that topic and we all have a safe and sustainable AAM path forward.
US Heliport Rules vs. Vertiport Considerations
One of the biggest stumbling blocks in the heliport-to-vertiport conversion idea is the difference in operational use and regulations. While heliports in the US are governed by countless granular rules, vertiports currently have limited official guidelines outside of the FAA EB-105 AD. EASA has also taken prototype steps in design and implementation with its PTS-VPT-DSN. More so, the specific requirements of electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, such as weight, various energy needs, and safety parameters, are still evolving with aircraft performance, making it challenging to design vertiport infrastructure that fully meets their future needs. Lastly, the extra space required for these new electric aircraft will require a lot of shoehorning into a space not originally designed. This underscores the importance of our discussions over the past three years, focusing on the crucial step the unforeseeable future. It’s all about spending pennies today to save dollars on potentially costly mistakes tomorrow.
Over the next five years, as more data becomes available and the FAA, Department of Transportation, and EASA provide further recommendations, we can expect to see vertiport designs evolve hand-in-hand with the advancements in eVTOL developments. Similar adaptations are occurring with governing bodies worldwide. This is partly why it is difficult to make the case for upgrading heliports to future vertiport specifications.
Location, Location, Location
Another critical aspect often overlooked by new vertiport experts is the choice of location. At Electric Air Mobility, LLC, we have partnered with companies with decades of experience in site selection, and the aviation industry, as well as consultants with several decades in those industries. Understanding pertinent zoning restrictions, local government regulations, and the final say of fire marshals are a small fraction of the data we take into consideration before planning on a network of vertiports. Ensuring the right location for a vertiport, or a network of vertiports, is a complex process that requires a deep understanding at many levels of the unique operational demands of AAM, having the right partners onboard with experience and expertise.
The Making of an AAM Vertiport Infrastructure Company
Becoming a trusted AAM vertiport infrastructure company takes time and expertise. Our founder, Nicolas Zart, brings almost 20 years of experience in the electric mobility industry, having witnessed the challenges and mistakes in previous infrastructure development. While infrastructure may seem straightforward at a glance, it requires a nuanced understanding of the field and the ability to create robust and scalable solutions for the future. If upgrading heliports to vertiports was that simple, we would have done it seven years ago.
Upcoming Interview Series with Rex Alexander, Mr. Infrastructure
Join us as we kick off our interview series with our long-time friend and partner, Rex Alexander of Alfa 5. Rex has been our go-to reality-check on new projects, and his extensive knowledge of eVTOL and vertiport safety has been instrumental in forming Electric Air Mobility, LLC. Stay tuned for insightful conversations and a deep dive into the world of AAM infrastructure.
Stay tuned for the interview series, where we delve deeper into AAM vertiport infrastructure and why true expertise is essential for safe and successful developments.