Federal Aviation Administration unveils comprehensive draft of its vertiport design brief
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a draft of its updated Engineering Brief (EB) 105A, Vertiport Design, on 10 September, signalling a major step forward in the development of infrastructure for the advanced air mobility (AAM) sector.
Key revisions in the draft include modifications to geometry sizing, the addition of aircraft parking spaces, and the creation of a protection area designated to mitigate the effects of aircraft downwash and outwash.
This draft release is just one part of the FAA’s larger initiative to support the AAM ecosystem.
In conjunction with the vertiport design guidelines, the FAA is preparing to introduce new regulations for powered-lift pilot certification and operations.
Speaking at Honeywell’s Advanced Air Mobility Summit in Washington D.C. on 19 September, Christopher Coes, acting Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation, revealed that the final Special Federal Aviation Regulation (SFAR) for powered-lift aircraft is expected to be published in the next month.
“There is great anticipation for the rule, which we are told is coming in just a few weeks,” said Kristie Greco Johnson, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs with the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA).
“If the FAA can deliver [the rule] in just a few short weeks, it will be a major accomplishment for the agency.”
The SFAR addresses pilot certification, energy reserves, and operational requirements specific to electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, with the goal of aligning regulations with the unique demands of this new technology.
As the US races to solidify its regulatory frameworks for eVTOLs, other regions, particularly the Middle East, are moving swiftly to position themselves at the forefront of the AAM sector.
Global competition and Middle East momentum
Saudi Arabia and the UAE have emerged as key players in this space, with ambitious plans to develop infrastructure and regulatory environments that will support the commercialisation of eVTOL aircraft in the near future.
Saudi Arabia, for instance, has outlined a vision to integrate eVTOLs into its transportation systems as part of its broader Vision 2030 initiative.
Sulaiman Almuhaimedi, Executive Vice President of Aviation Safety and Environmental Sustainability at the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA), recently emphasised the kingdom’s focus on launching piloted eVTOL operations in remote areas by 2026, with plans to expand into more complex urban operations in subsequent years.
The UAE, meanwhile, has made substantial investments in AAM infrastructure, with Dubai leading the charge to integrate air taxis into its public transportation network as early as 2026.
Last year, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) introduced the world’s first national regulation specifically designed for vertiports.
Additionally, during the DRIFTx event held in April in Abu Dhabi, the GCAA granted operational approval for the country’s inaugural vertiport, highlighting the UAE’s proactive approach to AAM development.
At the World Congress and Exhibition on Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS World Congress), held in Dubai from 16 to 20 September, H.E. Khaled Al Awadhi, Director of the Transportation Systems Department at the Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA), announced that the first of four planned vertiports for the city’s air taxi service is scheduled to commence operations in the first quarter (Q1) of 2026.
Moreover, with their strategic locations and substantial investments in infrastructure and smart city initiatives, other Gulf countries are also keen to establish themselves as leaders in the AAM market.
