Australian agency introduces patented modular vertipad to deal with FAA security issues and battery fireplace dangers
Skyportz, a worldwide chief in vertiport design and analysis, has introduced that it’s going to provide free entry to its patented modular vertipad design to U.S. firms collaborating within the White Home’s new eVTOL pilot initiative. The provide is meant to assist the US’ ambition to take a management function within the world Superior Air Mobility (AAM) market.
The provide comes because the U.S. continues to prioritize infrastructure growth to assist the way forward for electrical air taxis, and as regulatory our bodies, together with the FAA, define new security parameters for vertipad design.
Tackling Vital AAM Infrastructure Challenges
Skyportz’s modular vertipad addresses two of essentially the most urgent points for city vertiports: managing rotor downwash/outwash and efficient battery fireplace suppression.
The FAA’s Engineering Temporary 105A, printed in January, highlights the significance of managing wind generated by eVTOL plane throughout takeoff and touchdown. Particularly, the FAA recommends a security zone round touchdown surfaces wherever wind speeds exceed 34.5 mph. Skyportz’s patent consists of a number of adjustable peak settings for each the FATO (Ultimate Strategy and Takeoff space) and surrounding surfaces, together with a movable blast display screen to assist scale back wind depth. This could considerably lower the footprint required for secure operations—doubtlessly permitting a number of vertipads to be put in facet by facet.
Within the occasion of a fireplace attributable to battery thermal runaway, Skyportz’s design features a submerged pit beneath the touchdown floor. This enables for full water immersion of the plane, offering a fast and conclusive fireplace suppression technique whereas containing the water to forestall environmental contamination. The present various—ready for battery fires to burn out—can shut down operations for prolonged intervals.
A World Patent and U.S. Collaboration
“Our patented vertipad solves key limitations to secure and scalable vertiport operations,” mentioned Clem Newton-Brown, CEO of Skyportz. “We’re providing this answer without charge to U.S. firms aligned with the White Home’s push for electrical air taxi management. It’s a extremely reasonably priced and science-backed product, and we’re excited to share it.”
To additional develop the expertise, Skyportz has initiated a retail capital elevate in Australia. The funds will assist analysis by Swinburne College and Sophrodyne Aerospace, a agency specializing in eVTOL downwash and outwash modeling.
Dr. Richard Brown, CEO of Sophrodyne Aerospace, praised Skyportz’s scientific rigor:
“Skyportz is severe concerning the science behind vertiport design. Their methodical and evidence-based method makes their expertise extremely reliable in each engineering and enterprise phrases.”
Dr. Brown has been working with the FAA and UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to mannequin downwash results for plane reminiscent of Joby and Archer.
A global patent defending Skyportz’s vertipad design was filed on June 6, 2025. The corporate intends to license the expertise globally.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, knowledgeable drone companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory surroundings for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles targeted on the industrial drone house and is a global speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising for brand new applied sciences.
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