Skyportz has revealed its Aeroberm™ modular vertipad prototype, designed to deliver safe, scalable, and affordable infrastructure for the emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) industry.
The prototype was announced at the eVTOL Show in California and follows extensive research and development in collaboration with Swinburne University of Technology, Sophrodyne Aerospace, Crinnac Industrial designers, and modular construction specialist Simon McCarthy. After progressing through computational and design testing, the Aeroberm design is now entering the fabrication phase for its first full-scale prototype.
The patented Aeroberm design directly addresses three critical issues that have historically complicated the deployment of urban vertiports: downwash/outwash, fire risk, and noise. The innovative elevated modular platform is engineered to safely manage the aerodynamic forces generated by eVTOL operations. It also incorporates integrated fire suppression systems and acoustic mitigation features.
The need to manage downwash and outwash was highlighted by the FAA in its January Engineering Brief 105A, which stipulated that vertipads will require a wind safety zone outside the landing surface where wind speed exceeds 34.5 mph. Skyportz states that its innovation will significantly reduce the required footprint to comply with this Engineering Brief.
Clem Newton-Brown OAM, CEO of Skyportz, said, “This is the first truly scalable vertipad solution designed for global deployment. With the Aeroberm™, we’re removing the last major barriers to establishing affordable, practical, safe, and community-friendly sites for air taxi operations.”
Professor Justin Leontini from Swinburne University noted the project’s progress, saying, “Our detailed CFD modelling has given us a framework to progress to a full-scale prototype incorporating downwash and outwash amelioration. We will now refine the vertipad’s aerodynamic and safety performance with the data we collect from real aircraft operations on this prototype.”
Skyportz anticipates that the modular design will allow air taxi developers to offer a turnkey solution for fleet buyers seeking to establish routes quickly and flexibly. Because of this design, the vertipads can be moved between locations based on demand.
Newton-Brown added that Skyportz will announce the first deployment locations for the Aeroberm in the coming months, with several Australian and international partners already involved in design adaptation and site selection.
Newton-Brown added, “We will be offering our IP at no charge to OEMs, vertiport test beds and air safety regulators who want to participate in our ongoing research and development programme. The AAM industry needs a collaborative approach to spark the revolution we have all dreamed of and this starts with a multitude of low-cost destinations to service those that invest in fleets of aircraft.”
