ASTM F3423/F3423M-22

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3423/F3423M −22
Standard Specification for
Vertiport Design
ThisstandardisissuedunderthefixeddesignationF3423/F3423M;thenumberimmediatelyfollowingthedesignationindicatestheyear
of original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.
A superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 This specification defines the requirements for the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
planning, design, and establishment of vertiports intended to
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
service vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. These
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
aircraft include, but are not limited to, standard category
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
aircraft, optionally piloted aircraft, and unmanned aircraft.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
Aircraft not covered by this specification include VTOL
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
aircraft less than 55lb [25kg]. In developing these standards,
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
identified types of eVTOL aircraft, for example, Multi-Rotor,
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Lift&Cruise,VectoredThrust,TiltWing,TiltRotor,etc.,were
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
considered. Ultimately it is up to the authorities having
jurisdiction(AHJ)astohowandtowhatextentthesestandards
2. Referenced Documents
are applied. Vertiports may provide commercial or private
2.1 ASTM Standards:
services in support of the operation of eVTOL aircraft
F3060Terminology for Aircraft
including,butnotlimitedto,someorallofoccupantandcargo
F3341/F3341MTerminology for Unmanned Aircraft Sys-
transport, air medical, flight instruction, aerial work, aircraft
tems
rental, fueling, charging of energy storage devices, battery
exchange, hangaring, and maintenance services.
2.2 AIA Standards:
NASNational Aerospace Standards
1.2 This specification is intended to support the design of
civil vertiports and vertistops, however, it may also be used as
2.3 FAA Standards:
a best practice document for other facilities. 14 CFR Part 77Safe, Efficient Use and Preservation of the
1.2.1 Vertiport is a generic reference to the area of land,
Navigable Airspace
water, or structure used, or intended to be used, for the landing
14 CFR Part 157 Notice of Construction, Alteration,
and takeoff of VTOL aircraft, together with associated build-
Activation, and Deactivation of Airports
ings and facilities.At this time, aircraft with floats conducting
AIMAeronautical Information Manual
water landings and takeoffs are not included in this specifica-
FAAPilot/Controller Glossary
tion.
FSIMS 8900.1Vol 8, Ch 3, Sec 3 Evaluation and Surveil-
1.2.2 Vertistop—The same as Vertiport, except that no
lance of Heliports
fueling, defueling, scheduled maintenance, scheduled repairs,
AC 00-34AAircraft Ground Handling and Servicing
or storage of aircraft is permitted. Unscheduled maintenance
AC 70/7460Obstruction Marking and Lighting
and repairs to return an aircraft in an AOG (Aircraft on
AC 150/5200-33BHazardous Wildlife Attractants on or
Ground) status to a serviceable status are permissible.
Near Airports
AC 150/5345-27ESpecification for Wind Cone Assemblies
1.3 This document may present information in either SI
AC 150/5390Heliport Design Guide
units, English Engineering units, or both. The values stated in
Order JO 6700.20BNon-Federal Navigational Aids, Air
each system are not necessarily exact equivalents; therefore, to
ensure conformance with the standard, each system shall be
used independently of the other, and values from the two
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
systems shall not be combined
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F38 on the ASTM website.
UnmannedAircraftSystemsandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeF38.02 Available from Aerospace Industries Association (AIA), 1000 Wilson Blvd.,
on Flight Operations. Suite 1700, Arlington, VA 22209, http://www.aia-aerospace.org.
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published August 2022. DOI: 10.1520/ Available from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), 800 Independence
F3423_F3423M-22. Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20591, http://www.faa.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3423/F3423M − 22
Traffic Control Facilities, and Automated Weather Sys- 3.2.3 Approach Surface (VFR), n—The approach surface
tems Document Information begins at each edge of the vertiport FATO with the same width
Order JO 7110.65XAir Traffic Organization as the FATO and extends outward and upward for a horizontal
Order JO 7400.2Procedures for Handling Airspace Matters distance of 4000ft [1219.2m] where its width is then 500ft
Airports Engineering Brief #87Heliport Perimeter Lights [152.4m]. The slope of the approach surface is 8:1. Although
for Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC) VTOL approach/departure paths may curve, the length of the
approach/departure surface remains fixed. The approach sur-
2.4 ICAO Standards:
face slope may be reevaluated on a case-by-case basis at such
ICAOHeliport Manual/Doc 9261
time performance data for individual aircraft has been certified
ICAOAnnex 14, Aerodromes Volume II Heliports
and published that would indicate a steeper, higher perfor-
6 7
2.5 ICC, International Code Council Standards:
mance profile may be safely accomplished and accommodated
6 6
IBC International Building Code
for.
6 6
IFC International Fire Code
3.2.4 Controlling Dimension (CD), n—Thegreatestdistance
2.6 IES Standard:
between the two outermost opposite points on an aircraft as
RP-37-15Outdoor Lighting for Airport Environments
measured along either the horizontal or longitudinal axis (that
9 10
2.7 NFPA Standards:
is,wingtiptowingtip,rotortiptorotortip,rotortiptowingtip,
9 9
NFPA 70 National Electrical Code
fuselage to rotor tip, fuselage to fuselage, etc.), measured on a
9 9
NFPA 101 Life Safety Code
level horizontal plane that includes all adjustable components
NFPA 407Standard for Aircraft Fuel Servicing
extended to their maximum outboard deflection. This equates
NFPA 409Standard on Aircraft Hangars
tothesmallestcircleenclosingtheVTOLaircraftprojectionon
NFPA 418Standard for Heliports
a horizontal plane in all possible operational configurations
NFPA855Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy
with rotor(s) turning.
Storage Systems
3.2.5 Design Aircraft, n—A single or composite, that is,
2.8 OSHA/ANSI Standards:
multiple, aircraft that reflects the maximum weight, maximum
Title 29 CFR Part 1910.23Ladders
contact load/minimum contact area, controlling dimension,
Title 29 CFR Part 1926.502Fall Protection Systems Criteria
undercarriage dimensions, and pilot’s eye height of all aircraft
and Practices
expected to operate at the vertiport.
3. Terminology 3.2.6 Dynamic Load, n—For design purposes, assume the
dynamicloadat150percentofthemaximumtakeoffweightof
3.1 Unique and Common Terminology—Terminology used
thedesignaircraftappliedthroughthemainundercarriageona
in multiple standards is defined in F3341/F3341M, UAS
wheel-equipped aircraft or aft contact areas of skid-equipped
Terminology Standard, and F3060,AircraftTerminology Stan-
aircraft.
dard.Terminologythatisuniquetothisspecificationisdefined
in this section.
3.2.7 Elevated Vertiport, n—A vertiport located on a raised
structure on land. (Aground-level vertiport where theTLOF is
3.2 Definitions:
located on an earthen mound is not considered an elevated
3.2.1 Air Gap, n—Anunobstructedclearareadimensionally
vertiport).
dependent on site-specific conditions that is located under a
rooftop vertiport and between it and the architectural structure
3.2.8 Electric Vehicle Power Transfer System, n—A means
immediately below it, which is designed to allow the air
of replenishing an aircraft’s electrical energy reserves. This
circulating around and over a building to flow under the
includes portable and stationary charging systems that are
vertiport rather than over the vertiport to reduce turbulence at
designed to be connected to an aircraft as well as battery
the landing and takeoff site(s).
swapping programs. NFPA 70
3.2.2 Air Taxi, n—Used to describe a VTOL aircraft move-
3.2.9 Energy Storage System (ESS), n—Complete energy
ment conducted above the surface but typically below 100ft
storage device consisting of one or more energy storage cells
[30.5m]AGL, which allows for more rapid aircraft movement
arrangedintooneormorepacks,withancillarysubsystemsfor
from one point to another.
physical support and enclosure, thermal management, and
electronic control.Typical energy storage cells include, but are
not limited to, batteries or capacitors.
Available from International CivilAviation Organization (ICAO), 999 Robert-
3.2.10 FATO, n—FinalApproachandTakeoffarea;adefined
Bourassa Blvd., Montréal, Québec H3C 5H7, Canada, https://www.icao.int.
A registered trademark of the International Code Council, Inc.
area over which the aircraft completes the final phase of the
Available from International Code Council (ICC), 500 New Jersey Ave., NW,
approach to a hover or a landing, and from which the aircraft
6th Floor, Washington, DC 20001, http://www.iccsafe.org.
8 th initiates takeoff that has an unobstructed perimeter area that
Available from Illuminating Engineering Society (IES), 120 Wall Street, 17
allows for safe maneuvering of the design aircraft in all modes
Floor, New York, NY 10005-4001, https://www.ies.org.
A registered trademark of National Fire Protection Association.
ofoperation.TheFATOelevationisthelowestelevationofthe
Available from National Fire ProtectionAssociation (NFPA), 1 Batterymarch
edge of the TLOF. The FATO may or may not need to be load
Park, Quincy, MA 02169-7471, http://www.nfpa.org.
bearingdependentuponthetypeofoperationsthatareintended
Available from Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 200
Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20210, http://www.osha.gov. to be conducted.
F3423/F3423M − 22
3.2.11 Ground Taxi, n—Thesurfacemovementofawheeled 3.2.22 Taxiway (TW), n—Defined unobstructed clear path
VTOL under its own power with wheels touching the ground. establishedforthetaxiing(air,ground,orboth)ofaircraftfrom
one part of a vertiport to another.
3.2.12 Ground Towing, n—The movement of an aircraft
3.2.23 TLOF, n—Touchdown and Liftoff Area; a load-
while in contact with the ground with the assistance of a
bearing surface area normally centered in its own FATO, on
ground handling device where the aircraft is not producing
which the aircraft may touchdown or liftoff.
thrust or lift.
3.2.12.1 Discussion—SeeFAAAC00-34A,AircraftGround
3.2.24 Transitional Surfaces, n—These surfaces extend out-
Handling and Servicing.
ward and upward from the lateral boundaries of the primary
surface and from the approach surfaces at a slope of 2:1 for a
3.2.13 Hover Taxi, n—Used to describe the movement of a
distance of 250ft [76.3m] measured horizontally from the
wheeled or skid-equipped VTOL aircraft above the surface,
centerline of the primary and approach surfaces.
typically used to move short distances from one point to
another. Generally, this task takes place at a wheel/skid height 3.2.25 Vertical Lift Aircraft, n—Heavier-than-air aircraft
capable of vertical takeoff and vertical landing.
of1ftto5ft[0.3mto1.5m]andatagroundspeedoflessthan
20knots [37km⁄h]. For facility design purposes, assume a
3.2.26 Vertiport Elevation, n—The highest point of a verti-
skid-equipped eVTOL aircraft to hover-taxi.
port’s FATO measured in feet or meters above mean sea level
or equivalent elevation component as approved by the author-
3.2.14 Imaginary Surfaces, n—Surfaces used for the pur-
ity having jurisdiction.
poses of preventing existing or proposed man-made objects,
objects of natural growth, or terrain from extending upward
3.3 Performance Classifications:
into navigable airspace. These surfaces include the Approach
3.3.1 Ground Effect, n—When hovering near the ground, a
Surface, Primary Surface, and Transitional Surface.
phenomenon known as ground effect takes place. This effect
usually occurs at a consistent distance above the surface that is
3.2.15 Parking Position, n—A designated location at a
proportional to the main rotor diameter for helicopters, or total
Vertiport designed for transient aircraft to be positioned by
disk area for multirotor vehicles. As the induced airflow
meansofgroundorairtaxitaxiwaysforthepurposeofloading
throughtherotordiscisreducedbythesurfacefriction,thelift
and unloading of cargo or passengers, charging, fueling, or
vector increases. This allows a lower rotor blade angle, or
shortdurationmaintenance.Landingandtakeoffoperationsare
reduced RPM, for the same amount of lift, which reduces
not permitted from designated parking positions.ATLOF may
induced drag.
beusedasaparkingpositionwiththeunderstandingthatitmay
reduce or halt landing and takeoff operations until the aircraft 3.3.2 Hover In Ground Effect (HIGE), v—Hovering in close
has cleared the location. proximity to the surface to where the aircraft is under the
influence of ground effect.
3.2.16 Predesignated Emergency Landing Area (PELA),
3.3.3 Hover Out of Ground Effect (HOGE), v—Hovering at
n—A location identified as a potential emergency landing site
a height above the surface to where the aircraft is not
for an aircraft in distress to land when continued flight is
influenced or assisted by ground effect. Because induced drag
unadvised due to an off-nominal situation concerning
is greater while hovering out of ground effect, it takes more
maintenance, weather, or an inflight emergency.
power to achieve a hover.
3.2.17 Primary Surface, n—An imaginary surface posi-
3.3.3.1 Discussion—Aircraft that land or takeoff from a
tioned along a horizontal plane at the established elevation of
rooftoporelevatedvertiportwillgenerallyneedtomeetHOGE
a vertiport that coincides in size and shape with the designated
power requirements to ensure safe operations can be main-
takeoff and landing area FATO.
tained as indicated by the aircraft manufacturer’s performance
3.2.18 Rotor Load, n—Rotor downwash loads are approxi-
standards for the environmental conditions present.Additional
mately equal to the weight of the aircraft distributed uniformly performance considerations to consider include situations of
over the disk area of the rotors. high-density altitude, high aircraft gross weights, site location,
wind direction, wind speed, high environmental temperatures,
3.2.19 Safety Area, n—A defined unobstructed area sur-
and increased elevations.
rounding the FATO of a vertiport designed to allow for any
3.4 Abbreviations:
accidental divergence of an aircraft from the FATO perimeter.
3.4.1 AGL—above ground level
3.2.20 Safety Net, n—Aphysical and structurally supported
3.4.2 CAA—civil aviation authority
safety device surrounding any landing/takeoff surface, parking
areas, taxiway, walkway, access point, passenger area, and
3.4.3 eVTOL—electric vertical takeoff and landing
crewareathatiselevatedgreaterthan30in.thatisdesignedto
3.4.4 IFR—instrument flight rules
providefallprotectioninaccordancewithOSHAstandardTitle
3.4.5 NFPA —National Fire Protection Association
29 CFR Part 1910.23 Ladders andTitle 29 CFR Part 1926.502
Fall Protection Systems Criteria and Practices.
3.4.6 VFR—visual flight rules
3.2.21 Static Load, n—For design purposes, the design 3.5 See FAAAeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and
static load is equal to the aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight
FAA Pilot/Controller Glossary for additional clarification of
applied through the total contact area of the wheels or skids. aviation terminology.
F3423/F3423M − 22
4. Significance and Use slope down and away from, at a minimum, the primary egress
path, passenger holding area, rooftop hangars, and fire protec-
4.1 The purpose of this specification is to establish mini-
tion activation systems such that in the event of a fuel spill the
mum standards for vertiports and vertistops on which aircraft
fuel will flow away from these areas.
capable of vertical takeoff and landing may operate safely.
5.1.4.1 TLOF Gradients—To ensure drainage, design the
4.2 Classifications:
TLOF to have a gradient between 0.5percent and 2percent.
4.2.1 All Electric Powered—Avertiportthatisdesignatedto
5.1.4.2 Load-bearing FATO Gradients—Design a load-
support electric aircraft only.
bearing FATO to have a gradient between 0.5percent and
4.2.2 Hybrid Powered—A vertiport that is designated to
5percent. Design the gradient to be not more than 2percent in
accommodate both electric aircraft, fueled aircraft, and aircraft
any areas where an aircraft is expected to land. To ensure
that are a combination of the two.
TLOF drainage, design gradients of rapid runoff shoulders to
4.2.3 Emergency Medical Site Patient Transfer Facility—
be between 3percent and 5 percent.
RESERVED.
5.1.4.3 Non-load-bearing FATO Gradients—When the
4.2.4 Emergency Medical Site Pickup/Delivery Facility (for
the purposes of organ transplant, medical equipment, labora- FATO is non-load bearing or not intended for use by the
aircraft, that is, those areas not associated with a taxiway,
tory samples, etc.)—RESERVED.
4.2.5 Water-based Fixed or Floating Facility— parking area, or ramp area, there are no specific requirements
for the gradient of the surface. In this case, design the gradient
RESERVED.
4.2.6 Water-based Purpose-built Shipboard Facility— tobe5percentormoretoensureadequatedrainageawayfrom
the area of the TLOF.
RESERVED.
4.2.7 Water-based Open-water Facility for Aircraft with
5.1.4.4 Safety Area Gradients—A safety area need not be
Floats—RESERVED.
solid, when solid, for those areas that are not associated with a
4.2.8 eSTOL Compatible Facility—RESERVED.
taxiway, parking area, or ramp area, design the surface of the
4.2.9 Airport-based Vertiport—RESERVED.
safety area to be no steeper than a downward slope of 2:1 (2
units horizontal in 1 unit vertical). In addition, make sure the
5. Vertiport General Requirements
surface of the safety area is not higher than the FATO edge.
5.1 General—A vertiport site shall consider the need to
5.1.4.5 Parking Area Gradients—Designallaircraftparking
ensure safe approaches and departures of all aircraft for which
area grades to not exceed 2percent.
it is designed to support.
5.1.4.6 Taxiway and Taxi Route Gradients—Design taxiway
5.1.1 Vertiports shall have an appropriate written Emer-
longitudinal gradients to not exceed 2percent. Design trans-
gency Action Plan (EAP) in place. EAPs should be updated
verse gradients to be between 0.5percent and 2percent.
regularly to reflect any changes as well as tested and practiced
5.1.4.7 Surface Material—All load-bearing surfaces that an
on an annual basis. As a reference, NFPA418, Sec. 10.1 and
aircraft will rest on or traverse across shall meet International
Annex B, may provide additional guidance if needed.
6 6 9
Building Code, International Fire Code, and NFPA stan-
5.1.2 Eachfacilityshallhaveafunctioningwindconeinthe
dards. Due to its malleability and susceptibility to deformation
case of any manned operations or an alternative means of
in high-temperature environments, asphalt susceptible to this
communicating real-time active winds to the operator of an
type of deformation should be avoided as a load-bearing
unmanned aircraft or directly to the controlling operations
surface.Turfmaybeutilizedifproperlystabilized;however,if
system of an autonomous aircraft. Additional information on
the location is to support a high volume of ground movement
wind cone design and construction may be found in FAA
operations, turf may not be the most suitable surface for
Advisory Circular AC 150/5345-27E, Specification for Wind
inclement weather environments. Gravel shall not be utilized
Cone Assemblies.
within the TLOF, FATO, and safety area due to the inherent
5.1.2.1 The wind cone shall provide the onboard pilot with
dangers of flying debris caused by the aircraft’s downwash.
valid wind direction and speed information in the vicinity of
5.1.5 Design Loads—The TLOF shall be designed and
the vertiport under normal and typical wind conditions during
constructed to support the static and dynamic loads of the
approach, landing, and ground operations.
design aircraft and the static weight of any ground support
5.1.2.2 The wind cone should be placed near the FATO, not
vehicles or equipment. Areas outside the TLOF area to be
penetrate any of the vertiport’s imaginary surfaces, and be
utilizedforthepurposesofaircraftparking,aircraftmovement,
clearly identifiable by manned aircraft pilots during approach,
aircraft refueling, and aircraft recharging shall be designed to
landing, and ground operations.
support the static weight of the design aircraft. Loads are
5.1.2.3 To avoid presenting an obstruction hazard, the wind
appliedthroughthecontactareaofthetiresforwheel-equipped
cone shall be located outside the safety area, so it does not
aircraft or the contact area of the skid for skid-equipped
penetrate the approach/departure or transitional surfaces.
aircraft.
5.1.2.4 Atavertiportintendedfornightoperations,thewind
5.1.6 A vertiport shall have smooth, well-drained, opera-
cone shall be illuminated, either internally or externally, to
tional areas with sufficient stability to permit the safe move-
ensure it is clearly visible.
ment of aircraft along all adjoining surfaces that an aircraft
5.1.3 Vertiport Gradients
may need to transition.
5.1.4 General—Gradingofthevertiport,thatis,theslopeof
a vertiport’s surface, shall be designed so as to protect, that is, 5.1.7 Drainage Gutters—RESERVED.
F3423/F3423M − 22
5.2 Notification—All vertiport construction shall be com- 6.2.1 General—From an aeronautical standpoint, the opti-
municated to the authority having jurisdiction prior to con- mum location for a vertiport is one that allows for multiple
struction commencing. approach/departure paths, avoids downwind operations to the
extent feasible and to the degree prescribed by the aircraft
5.3 Airspace Study—Aviation authority policy may require
manufacturer, has minimal impact on surrounding residential
an airspace study to be conducted to ensure that there will be
areas, provides for a minimum noise impact footprint, and
no material negative impact on current and future airspace as
provides for unobstructed airspace.
well as identify hazards to be removed or mitigated through
6.2.2 Local Requirements—Where the State, region, or mu-
proper marking and lighting.
nicipality has adopted code criteria from the International Fire
6 6 6 6
5.4 Identification—AllVertiportsshallbeassignedaperma-
Code (IFC ), International Building Code (IBC ), or the
nent identifier in accordance with aviation authority policy for
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA ), compliance
identification in the airspace system for all recognized opera-
with such criteria shall be required when applicable. Consult
tional and management purposes.
with the local authority having jurisdiction for interpretations.
5.5 Location Accuracy—At a minimum, VFR Vertiports
6.3 Vertiport Geometry—Given the variability in aircraft
shall be accurately referenced through accepted survey prac-
and aircraft design reflecting the latest technological advance-
tices by latitude and longitude to within 620ft [6m] horizon-
ments in the aviation industry, specifically VTOL platforms,
tal accuracy and 63ft [1m] vertical accuracy. In accordance
the dimensional criteria should be based on the largest CD, for
with aviation authority policy, all IFR vertiports shall be
example, overall length or overall width, whichever is greater.
accuratelyreferencedthroughgoverningandapplicablesurvey
This shall also include making accommodations for the
practices by latitude and longit
...