Safety Considerations on the Operation of Electric Vertical and Takeoff Landing (VTOL) Aircraft at Airports and Vertiports

Design innovation for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft is accelerating rapidly. By 2025, eVTOL aircraft might be operating commercial flights. Aviation facilities may have to distribute new energy vectors used by eVTOLs. Accommodating these aircraft will require careful planning, as well as design features, standards, and operational procedures to ensure aviation safety. Indeed, these new technologies cannot be turned into a viable air transportation system if they cannot be integrated into existing and future aviation facilities. With the first eVTOL certification on the horizon, a study of potential airside integration issues is timely. This paper identifies and analyzes potential aviation safety hazards and risks specific to the introduction of eVTOL aircraft and hydrogen technologies at airports and vertiports. A review of existing industry standards and ongoing standardization tasks suggests ways to further reduce the most prominent risks through industry standards and practices promoting operational flexibility and interoperability.