The VTOL (vertical take-off and landing)-capable aircraft (VCA) industry is rapidly emerging as a safe and sustainable aerial mode of transport. As the industry grows, increasing VTOLs in service will require more ground infrastructure and adequate traffic management. The operation of VCAs is dissimilar to that of existing aircraft, such as helicopters, in critical areas like noise, power source, flight trajectory, flight altitude, and digital communications systems. Currently, only a few regulations indiscriminately lump all rotorcraft together, putting a strain on air traffic management (ATM) and respective air traffic control officers (ATCOs) to oversee all aircraft at once.

This solution is pioneering the project “Approach, Departure, & En route VCA Aircraft Procedures for Vertiports” to define safe procedures of crewed VTOL operations. Airspace design structures and procedures to operate to and from vertiports are vital elements for integrating VTOLs into the existing ATM and new U-space environment. Efficiently designed airspace and procedures for VTOL operations will allow scaled operations and reduce interference with other airspace users. This will also reduce the burden on ATM systems and ATCOs.

This SESAR Solution provides guidelines to define and design arrival/departure procedures to/from vertiports and the routes and associated trajectories between them. Furthermore, these shall focus on the needs of VCAs in different use cases and along different time horizons. The solution contains planning elements and application methodologies for a common description of the vertiport’s arrival, departure, and en route procedures, which include operational concepts and requirements, and airspace design guidelines. This solution aims to serve as a model of how to accommodate VCA aircraft into urban air mobility (UAM) while ensuring safe operations to/from vertiports in different operational environments. The solution will also define how U-space airspace and services can support or impact VCA operations and facilitate the harmonisation of U-space and ATM missions. Solution 1 is committed to establishing an airspace where VCAs can fly, operate, and communicate with others in a safe and efficient environment. Standardised VCA procedures will allow capacity gains safely, introduce a higher level of automation, and thereby aid the scalability of the rapidly growing VCA ecosystem.