FAA Releases Draft Design Standards for Vertical Flight Facilities, Comments Due Jan. 11, 2027
Washington — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on October 22 released draft design standards for vertical flight facilities — draft Advisory Circular AC 150/5390-4, "Vertical Flight Aircraft Infrastructure Design" — setting out planning, design and construction standards for takeoff and landing facilities serving rotorcraft, powered-lift aircraft and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and invited industry feedback.
The draft standards cover four areas: core layout and operating space, including touchdown and liftoff areas, final approach areas, safety areas and approach surfaces; lighting, markings and visual aids for pilots; aircraft fueling and electric charging systems; and requirements for integrating vertical flight infrastructure at existing airports without disrupting current operations.
"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," FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said. "These aircraft have tremendous potential to generate new jobs, connect communities, and strengthen American leadership in aviation."
The FAA said that once finalized and published, the draft circular will cancel AC 150/5390-2D, "Heliport Design," dated January 5, 2023, and Engineering Brief 105A, "Vertiport Design," dated December 27, 2024. The agency will host a virtual industry day on November 10 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern, and written comments are due by January 11, 2027.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：一架 Volocopter 2X 电动垂直起降航空器（资料图）。照片：Matti Blume 摄，CC BY-SA 4.0，经维基共享资源。A Volocopter 2X eVTOL aircraft (file photo). Photo: Matti Blume, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
