The future of Urban Air Mobility is getting closer to reality, and with it comes the need for reliable infrastructure to support electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. On December 27, 2024, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released Engineering Brief 105A, a supplemental guide to its heliport design standards. Just a few weeks later, on January 14, 2025, the FAA held an Industry Day to discuss these updates with operators, engineers, and regulators.
- Core Vertiport Lighting Zones Defined in EB 105A
- Photometrics, Power and Control: Meeting FAA & IEC Specs in 2025
- Future-Proofing: Performance-Based Vertiport Lighting on the Horizon
One of the most important areas covered in the EB 105A is vertiport lighting. Proper lighting ensures that pilots can see the landing area clearly, stay aware of obstacles, and operate safely in both day and night conditions. Beyond safety, lighting systems must be designed for scalability so that vertiports can expand to handle more aircraft without requiring a full redesign. Let’s explore lighting requirements under the EB 105A and how it sets the foundation for safe vertiport operations.
Core Vertiport Lighting Zones Defined in EB 105A
The FAA EB 105A breaks down a vertiport into several operational zones, each with its own lighting requirements, ensuring the safe and efficient movement of eVTOL aircraft. Here’s what you need to know about the core lighting zones:
- Final Approach and Takeoff (FATO) Area
The Final Approach and Takeoff (FATO) Area is where the eVTOL completes its final descent to a hover or starts its vertical climb after liftoff. Lighting along the FATO perimeter is optional under the EB 105A, but when installed, it must consist of aviation green lights placed. These lights can be in-pavement or elevated, and spacing must be no more than 25 feet apart, with a minimum of five lights per side for square FATOs. The setup ensures a clear outline of the area, helping pilots visually confirm the safe operational limits of the approach zone.
- Touchdown and Liftoff (TLOF) Area
The Touchdown and Liftoff (TLOF) Area is the load-bearing surface where the eVTOL actually touches down or lifts off. The EB 105A specifies green perimeter lights for the TLOF, installed either in-pavement or just outside the edge on frangible fixtures. For square TLOFs, lights must be placed at each corner and evenly spaced along each side, no more than 25 feet apart. Circular TLOFs must have at least eight uniformly spaced lights. These bright markers provide clear cues for where pilots should initiate contact or liftoff.
- Safety Area
Surrounding the FATO is the Safety Area, designed to reduce risks if an aircraft veers off course. Unlike the FATO and TLOF, the Safety Area does not require dedicated perimeter lights. Its design must keep the space clear of obstructions. Any lighting or structures placed in the area must not protrude more than 2 inches above the TLOF elevation, and their location must not interfere with safe eVTOL operations.
With the lighting standards across these zones, the EB 105A ensures that every vertiport offers pilots clear, consistent, and reliable visual references. For passengers and operators, these requirements translate into greater trust in the safety and efficiency of eVTOL travel.
Photometrics, Power and Control: Meeting FAA & IEC Specs in 2025
The FAA EB 105A makes it clear that every piece of vertiport lighting, including identification beacons to wind cones, must meet strict photometric standards so pilots can safely locate and use the facility in all conditions. Furthermore, these systems need to integrate with modern power requirements as electric aviation scales up.
Identification Beacons
The FAA requires every standalone vertiport, except those located on existing airports, to have an FAA L-801H identification beacon that flashes in a white, yellow, and green sequence at 30 to 45 flashes per minute, helping eVTOL pilots visually identify the vertiport from a distance. Hali-Brite Vertiport LED Beacon L-801(H)L delivers the same visibility with a typical lamp life of 50,000 hours, a patented belt-drive system that eliminates the need for lubrication, and an optional stainless steel cabinet and bearings for areas with harsh, corrosive environments. It’s designed for efficiency, durability, and reliability—qualities every vertiport operator needs.
Wind Cones
Wind cones provide information on wind speed and direction near the landing area. The EB 105A requires vertiport wind cones to be orange for contrast, positioned within 500 feet of the TLOF, and visible to pilots from 500 feet on approach as well as from the pad itself. Moreover, these navigational aids must be illuminated internally or externally to ensure visibility during nighttime operations. Hali-Brite L-806 Wind Cone meets these requirements with added features, including a lamp life of 50,000 to 100,000 hours, built-in rain caps to shield bearings from weather, and even a solar-powered option for sites where traditional electrical service might be limited.
Power and Grid Integration
Beyond individual lighting fixtures, vertiports must plan for the massive power requirements of future eVTOL operations. Each vertiport pad might require 1 to 2 megawatts (MW) of electricity to support fast-charging infrastructure for eVTOLs. International standards already define the communication, safety, and interoperability requirements for these high-capacity systems. ISO/IEC 15118-1:2019, for instance, ensures secure “plug-and-charge” communication and enables smart scheduling of charging cycles to match grid conditions. Such standards make it possible for vertiports to meet energy demands while maintaining safe and efficient operations.
Future-Proofing: Performance-Based Vertiport Lighting on the Horizon
As the FAA continues to collect real-world performance data on VTOL operations, the EB 105A is just the beginning. Future updates are expected to move from prescriptive design toward performance-based vertiport standards. But no matter how the guidelines evolve, reliable vertiport lighting ensures visibility, safety, and operational readiness in any environment.
If you’re planning, building, or upgrading a vertiport in 2025, you need lighting solutions that meet current FAA requirements and are ready to grow with the industry. Hali-Brite offers trusted vertiport lighting systems designed with durability, efficiency, and compliance in mind. Contact us today at (218) 454-095 or here to learn more about our products.