A Comparison of Proposed Concepts for Vertiport Markings & Symbology

The unique designs and capabilities of electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft present a series of challenges to traditional infrastructure that was designed for conventional rotorcraft. Currently, several civil aviation authorities have released interim, preliminary guidance on aspects of vertical flight infrastructure. This paper presents a comparison of two of the proposed concepts for vertiport markings and symbology, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "Broken Wheel" and the European Union Aviation Safety Association (EASA) "V". These concepts were evaluated over the course of two experimental studies using helicopter-rated pilots in the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center's S76-D and Loft Dynamics H125 & R22 rotorcraft flight simulators.