There are more solutions than obstacles. Nicolas Zart
Advanced air mobility (AAM), as with anything aviation means safety and security from initial design. The US Department of Transportation AAM National Strategy identifies cyber disruption, physical weaponization and supply chain compromise as baseline risks. This is something operators and vertiport developers have kept in the initial design through layered measures.
Cyber threat context
Cyber risks target control links, navigation and vertiport automation. GPS spoofing, RF jamming and man‑in‑the‑middle attacks could lead to loss of control. NASA assessments cover these vectors with mitigations including encryption and redundant systems.
FAA and EASA align certification criteria. Updated Special Condition VTOL includes handling qualities and single‑point failure protections. Safety Emphasis Items for Parts 23, 27 and 29 reduce duplication between regulators.
Aircraft and vertiport hardening
Aircraft systems use encrypted communications and secure boot. Electrical wiring interconnection systems prevent data tampering. Vertiports require perimeter assessments and siting away from sensitive areas.
High‑density vertiports employ automation for trajectory management and risk assessment. Vertiport Automation System coordinates scheduling and safety. Physical security covers access control and explosive detection.
Supply chain and operations
Supply chain reviews cover firmware and components. ICAO, FAA and EASA guidelines require vendor audits. Incident response plans test aviation scenarios.
Regulatory milestones 2026
FAA Engineering Brief 105A provides interim vertiport guidance. Unified standards combine heliport and vertiport rules for higher operations. EASA and FAA mutual validation supports cross‑border certification.
Operators implement current vetting and cybersecurity in certification. Recurring risk assessments monitor intelligence reports.
Implementation path
Security integrates with airspace rules and pilot training. Vertiports plan energy and security simultaneously. Early corridors test these measures under pilot programs.
Professionals track certification bases and vertiport advisory circulars. Reliable operations depend on these foundations.
- https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2025-12/AAM%20National%20Strategy%202025.pdf
- https://www.transportation.gov/sites/dot.gov/files/2025-12/AAM%20Comprehensive%20Plan%202025.pdf
- https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/airport-aviation-security/security-by-design-is-a-core-pillar-of-the-advanced-air-mobility-national-strategy/
- https://jdasolutions.aero/blog/easa-faa-harmonize-evtol-certification-criteria-but-one-size-does-not-fit/
- https://www.revolution.aero/news/2024/06/10/faa-and-easa-issue-broader-guidance-for-evtol-certification/
- https://insideunmannedsystems.com/dots-aam-national-strategy-sets-10-year-policy-course-for-air-taxis-and-autonomy/
- https://lowaltitudeeconomy.aero/directory/white-papers/advanced-air-mobility-aam/high-density-automated-vertiport-concept-of-operations
- https://niagaros.com/cyber-security-air-transport-mobility-airports-airlines/
- https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/downloads/138650/en
- https://www.aaminternational.com/vertiports/
- https://www.bmv.de/SharedDocs/EN/Documents/K/advanced-air-mobility-strategy.pdf?__blob=publicationFile
- https://www.autonomyglobal.co/what-to-expect-in-2026-for-advanced-air-mobility/
- https://fdotwww.blob.core.windows.net/sitefinity/docs/default-source/aviation/aam/fdot-aam-business-plan-_nov_2025_final.pdf?sfvrsn=b9e6aa5c_1
- https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/stories/2019-09-easa-releases-framework-for-small-vtol-operation
- https://kpmg.com/ie/en/insights/aviation/advanced-air-mobility-revolution-fs-aviation-2030.html