The Federal Aviation Administration on October 22 released draft design standards for infrastructure serving vertical-flight aircraft, creating a proposed framework for facilities that support takeoffs, landings, charging and fueling.
The draft covers touchdown and liftoff areas, approach surfaces, safety areas, lighting, markings, visual aids and the integration of vertical-flight facilities at existing airports. It also includes guidance for elevated and rooftop facilities and systems for electric charging and aircraft fueling, according to the FAA announcement.
The proposal is identified as Draft Advisory Circular 150/5390-4, Vertical Flight Aircraft Infrastructure Design. The FAA draft-circular page says the document provides standards for planning, designing and constructing takeoff and landing facilities for vertical-flight aircraft. Once finalized and published, it will cancel AC 150/5390-2D, Heliport Design, and Engineering Brief 105A, Vertiport Design.
Comments on the draft are due January 11, 2027. The FAA also plans a virtual industry day on November 10, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Eastern time. The agency says it will collaborate with industry and publish final design standards in summer 2027.