Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

Advanced air mobility infrastructure specialist Skyportz has released details of a patented vertiport design it says mitigates the impact of downwash and outwash from eVTOL aircraft. The Australian company published its plans on March 24 during the Avalon International Airshow near Melbourne.
Aviation regulators, including Australia’s <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/business-aviation/2022-12-06/australian-regulator-consults-guidelines-vertiports?amp=&amp;qt-latest_trending=1">Civil Aviation Safety Authority</a>, the FAA and EASA, have issued guidelines for vertiport design. In January, the FAA <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-01-14/faa-updates-vertiport-design-standards-evtol-aircraft">updated its guidelines</a> to take account of comments from the industry about its Engineering Brief No. 105.
The FAA is now indicating that vertipads will need to have a wind safety zone beyond the landing surface in locations where windspeeds could exceed 30 knots. According to Skyportz, this requirement will oblige vertiport developers to build on a larger footprint.
According to a study published by the Swinburne University of Technology, Skyportz’s modular vertipad could dissipate downwash and outwash energy up to 250% faster than would be the case for aircraft landing on flat tarmac. The <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-10-04/skyportz-unveils-waterfront-vertiport-concept-melbourne-australia">company</a> intends to use the design for urban installations to support eVTOL air taxi services connecting locations other than airports. It plans to license the use of the concept in markets beyond Australia.
<img alt="Swinburne University downwash data" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d7b6c073-1c77-4abe-b1bb-6c05679cb2b1" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Landing.jpg" width="5000" height="2625" loading="lazy">
“The Skyportz vertipad patent has some very real applications as cities move to establishing vertiport networks outside of existing airports and helipads,” said Skyportz CEO Clem Newton-Brown. “It means that with out vertipad you can safely use less land or fit more pads onto smaller plots.”
Swinburne University’s Department of Mechanical and Product Design Engineering will now conduct further research to test all aspects of the patented design. Professor Justin Leontini said scientists “will induce a Magnus effect and dissipate energy at higher rates while directing airflows to desired zones away from waiting passengers.”

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Skyportz Tackles eVTOL Aircraft Downwash and Outwash With Vertipad Design

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Skyportz says its vertipad design can reduce the need for larger vertiport footprints to address safety risks to passengers from downwash and outwash energy.

Skyportz Tackles eVTOL Downwash and Outwash With Vertipad Design

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