b'30 Partner News Spring 2022Enterpriseand this is where Safeguard VertiportsTheir experience in this specialist area is providing vital design assessment andmeans SEL is already familiar with the need assurance of the vertiport landing area.to consider and assess several critical Its exciting to see ourfactors such as the deck loading, air flow teams capability being used The first planned commercial operations aredisruption and the location of the take-off/for the delivery of goods by drones. This willlanding area. This expertise is now being in developing technologiesbe followed by the transport of passengers,welcomed by clients in the UAM market such as the urban airinitially with a pilot on board, but then moveas Chris Wood, Operations Manager at mobility sector. to unmanned passenger drones. Safeguard Vertiports explains.Helidecks and vertiports Our specialist team is working with the The ground infrastructure requirementsregulators to develop an assessment and for vertiports are not dissimilar to thosecertification process that can be applied to currently required for helicopter landingall future vertiports worldwide, ensuring that areas sited on offices, hospitals, superyachts,each platform area is designed, built and or offshore rigs and this is where SELsmanaged to the safest possible standards. experience counts. With our helideck experience were ideally placed to provide consultancy and assurance Safeguard Helideck Certification is a fullyof vertiport landing areas so that they will accredited aviation inspection body (AIB)meet the new standards and certifications on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguardonce they have been finalised. Agency (MCA) and is well respected for its work assessing and certifying helicopterThis process is further aided by our role landing areas.as consultants to the CAA, where were using our knowledge and experience to help All the team comes from a military aviationdevelop new global standards for vertiport background and together have over 60 yearscertification.of operating and managing helicopter landing areas. The team comprises of ex-militaryUnmanned eVTOL air taxis and logistics helicopter aircrew, flight deck officers,drones have highly accurate vertical take-survival specialists, safety managementoff and landing capabilities so dont need specialists and helicopter engineers. runways or large landing areas. This allows vertiport sites to be positioned in the areas of greatest demand and close to connecting infrastructure such as rail hubs. Safeguard Vertiports provides expert consultancy for vertiports in the following key areas:design analysis and assuranceground infrastructurelanding area dimensions, markings and obstructionsdeck friction testingaccess and egress pointsair system liftsemergency proceduresregulatory support to civil aviation authorities and organisationsOur core work in supporting the MoD and defence contracts is healthy and growing but its exciting to see our teams capability being used in developing technologies such as the UAM sector, says Steve Beech, a Founding Director of Safeguard Engineering.Im looking forward to the launch of Air-One Display in April and being a part of this world-first event.'