Skyportz has unveiled an updated design of its patented vertipad, focused on improving the management of downwash and outwash effects, during a private briefing for airport operators in Australia.
The international patent application reserving all rights globally was filed on 6 June 2025.
The modular vertipad patent addresses two of the standout issues for Advanced Air Mobility in urban areas: managing downwash and outwash, and enabling fire suppression.
Downwash and outwash were highlighted by the FAA in January in their Engineering Brief 105A where the American air regulator indicated that vertipads will need to have a wind safety zone beyond the landing surface. This safety zone has been defined as where the windspeed exceeds 34.5 mph.
The new design released this week is tailored for airport usage with higher throughput than the original single elevated landing pad design being offered to the property industry.
With multiple height settings for the FATO landing surface and surrounds and an adjustable blast screen, this new design will enable airports to adjust the settings for particular aircraft types to maximise the downdraft amelioration features. Reduced wind speeds mean smaller footprint requirements for safe operations. This enables multiple pads to be placed side by side.
The ability to bring the aircraft to ground level after touchdown will enable it to roll off the pad and proceed to charging bays, leaving the vertipad available for the next aircraft in a high-throughput vertiports.
In the unlikely event of a fire, this patent enables vertiport operators to extinguish any battery fire conclusively and quickly through full immersion in water, all water is contained to prevent environmental contamination.
With all landing surfaces dropped to the lowest point in the pit below, it can be flooded to fully immerse a burning aircraft and extinguish a battery fire, enabling airport operations to recommence immediately.
The only alternative at the moment is to wait until the battery thermal runaway concludes, which could leave an airport shut down for a day or more.
Clem Newton-Brown, CEO of Skyportz, commented, “We are very excited to be able to offer this patented vertipad solution to airports around the world looking at introducing electric air taxis to their sites. There are some significant issues for airports to address if they plan to join the Advanced Air Mobility network and our patent solves the major issues in a highly affordable product.”
Skyportz opened a retail fundraiser recently to support the further research and development to be conducted by Swinburne University and Sophrodyne Aerospace, the global leader in eVTOL downwash and outwash modelling.
Dr Richard Brown from Sophrodyne Aerospace, added, “What impresses me about Skyportz is their willingness to engage with the science. Skyportz’ willingness to proceed with their design through a proper sequence of scientifically-validated steps sets them well apart and above their competitors – particularly in terms of the trust that I would place in their product and the faith that I would attach to their technical and business plans.’
The Skyportz vertipad is protected by patent number PCT/AU2025/050601 with all international rights reserved. Skyportz intends to licence manufacturing and distribution of the vertipad into all global markets as they emerge.
