Skyportz releases amelioration modelling for eVTOL downwash and outwash

Skyportz has released an animation that demonstrates the impact its vertipad patent (pictured above) will have on the “amelioration” of eVTOL downwash and outwash.

The issues surrounding downwash and outwash and how to reduce its effects in urban settings is a standout issue, according to Skyportz CEO, Clem Newton-Brown.

The issue was highlighted by the FAA in January in their Engineering Brief 105A where it indicated that vertipads will need to have a wind safety zone beyond the landing surface.

The new animation compares the windspeed of an eVTOL landing on a tarmac with landing on the patented surface, which deflects and breaks up the powerful vortices that are dangerous in urban settings. The vertipad also entrains the air to recirculate, reducing the power of the outwash, said Newton-Brown.

“The Skyportz vertipad patent has some very real applications as cities move to establishing vertiport networks outside of existing airports and helipads,” he said. “Our technology reduces the outwash speed two and a half times faster than landing on a tarmac. It means that with our vertipad you can safely use less land or fit more pads onto smaller sites.”

Skyportz released its vertipad patent at the Avalon International Airshow in Australia in March, where it won the Blue Sky innovation award.

Professor Leontini from the Swinburne University of Technology AirHub in Australia has been engaged to do the CFD modelling and trial further iterations of the Skyportz vertipad. The first iteration of the modelling conducted by Swinburne University has experimented with different landing surface treatments described in the patent.

 Professor Leontini said: “Our next step will involve adding different surface treatments and mechanical devices detailed in the patent under and around the vertipad, which we expect will induce a Magnus effect and dissipate energy at an even higher rate while directing flows to desired zones away from waiting passengers,”

The Skyportz vertipad is protected by the global Patent Cooperation Treaty protection and the national phase of the patent has commenced already in Australia, USA and China.