Development of Wind-Based Criteria for Vertiports

By Sharon Schajnoha, RWDI, Strategic Director – Principal

With the growing interest in integrating vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft into cities, existing infrastructure needs to be assessed for suitability and new infrastructure needs to be designed from the outset with VTOL operations in mind.

Methods currently exist to characterize and quantify winds around vertiports; however, no wind-based criteria have been established to determine if the vertiport can be operated safely or if design changes and/or operational restrictions are required.

Knowing there is an immediate industry need for the development of wind-based design criteria for vertiports that can evolve over time, RWDI has taken the first step to address this gap. Through the development of design criteria based on what’s known from aviation regulatory agencies in relation to wind and VTOL performance and infrastructure requirements, RWDI has used its extensive experience in wind engineering to lay the groundwork for moving the industry forward.

Download the RWDI whitepaper on the development of wind-based criteria for vertiports.