The Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have officially broken ground on a new facility at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City that will aim to support research, training and operational analysis for advanced air mobility aircraft.
The new Vertical Take-Off and Landing Procedures and Analysis Range (V-PAR) will seek to provide a dedicated environment for both the FAA and its partners to conduct research on vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, including electric and hybrid designs.
Valued at around 8.3 million USD; the range will be equipped with a vertiport, a covered hangar and a small control-centre building.
Once operational, the range will support a host of advanced air mobility research and training activities, including studies on wake separation, downwash and outwash, radiofrequency interference and vertiport operations.
Department of Transportation Deputy Secretary Steven Bradbury, said:The V-PAR is a critical step in helping the FAA better understand how to integrate advanced air mobility aircraft safely into the National Airspace System.
This facility will strengthen our ability to conduct research, train people, and support the future of aviation.
