Preparing for Takeoff: Guernsey Designs FAA Vertiport for eVTOL Testing in Oklahoma

Urban Air Mobility (UAM) is no longer a futuristic vision — it’s an evolving reality. And in Oklahoma City, the future of advanced aviation is coming into focus as Guernsey helps the FAA prepare for the next generation of flight with the development of a new vertiport at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center (MMAC).

A New Era of Flight Takes Shape

Guernsey was selected by the FAA to design the MMAC-VPAR (eVTOL Performance and Analysis Range), a state-of-the-art vertiport intended for the testing and evaluation of electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. This initiative is supported by a $6 million appropriation from Congress, included in the FAA’s FY2024 budget through the Consolidated Appropriations Act (HR4366). Once complete, the facility will play a central role in advancing safe integration of eVTOL aircraft into the National Airspace System (NAS).

From Concept to Construction

The project began in 2024 with a Type A Design Study, a conceptual analysis phase used by the FAA to evaluate multiple design scenarios. Guernsey’s team evaluated three potential locations on the MMAC campus, ultimately selecting a site best suited for long-term performance and flight safety. This phase also included building programming, flight path analysis per FAA Part 77 requirements, and layout optimization centered on the TLOF (Touchdown and Lift-Off) area.

In 2025, the project advanced to the Type B Design Study, a detailed construction phase. Groundbreaking is expected in early 2026.

Inside the MMAC Vertiport

The MMAC vertiport has been thoughtfully designed to support research, testing, and analysis of eVTOL vehicles. Key components of the facility include:

  • Weather Shelter (7,500 SF): A covered bay for parking a verticraft, offering protection from the elements and a location for battery charging.
  • Support Building (1,800 SF): Includes offices with direct views of the TLOF, storage, restroom, and kitchenette. The building is designed to accommodate both FAA personnel and aircraft manufacturers during testing.
  • TLOF and Parking Areas: The operational heart of the facility, featuring two outdoor parking spots and a dedicated TLOF for safe launch and landing operations.

Why It Matters

Verticraft—or eVTOLs—represent the first major leap in low altitude flight technology in a century. These aircraft are smaller and quieter than helicopters, powered primarily by batteries (or in some cases, hybrid systems involving hydrogen). As the FAA develops the regulatory framework for this new mode of transportation, facilities like MMAC’s vertiport are essential for testing flight patterns, noise profiles, safety systems, and operational integration.

With eyes on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics as a potential showcase for eVTOL technology, the work happening in Oklahoma is both timely and nationally significant.

Preparing for Takeoff: Guernsey Designs FAA Vertiport for eVTOL Testing in Oklahoma1