Australia-based charter operator Microflite Aviation, which runs the Melbourne heliport on the Yarra River, has called time on its long-term future flying helicopters for tourism. In collaboration with Skyportz, it now plans to work with the soon-to-be elected Lord Mayor and the Victoria state government to explore options for electric air taxi vertiport sites to access Melbourne, starting with the existing helipad on the Yarra River.

COO Rodney Higgins has plans to replace his fleet of tourism helicopters with clean, green and quiet electric air taxis. “We have been closely following the development of numerous electric air taxi prototypes in recent years and it appears clear that the frontrunners will be available for commercial operations soon,” he explains. “The aviation industry needs to do its bit for the environment, and electric aviation will have a place very soon for short range operations. In addition to decarbonising aviation, we expect these aircraft will be much quieter, safer and more affordable.”

Skyportz has worked with Contreras Earl Architecture and Pascall+Watson to develop a vertiport concept at Batman Park on the Yarra River to replace the long serving helipad. The site would also be a multi-modal hub for electric transport, including ferries and hire boats. A cafe would provide an area for people to view the action.

All three leading candidates for Lord Mayor are positive about the concept. Elections will be held this month.

“We want to work with Microflite, CASA, the state government and the new Lord Mayor to create one of the first purpose built vertiports in the world,” says Skyportz CEO Clem Newton-Brown.

“Of the many thousands of passengers and tourists that Microflite flies from its Melbourne Heliport each year, an increasing number are asking when the aviation industry will be progressing to sustainable operations,” adds Higgins.

The Victorian state government's Advanced Air Mobility Action Plan states that it will remove barriers to industry development and support new investment into the State. It will prepare Victoria’s economy to benefit from the range of new clean energy industries, technology and jobs that will strengthen the state’s capability and supply chain across the aerospace, advanced manufacturing and renewables sector. Investment in these technologies will unlock new zero-emission capabilities across logistics, service delivery, emergency services, regional connectivity and passenger transport, as well as support Victoria’s Climate Change Strategy target of net zero by 2045.”

The Australian air safety regulator, CASA, is preparing the skies for this revolution and recently released vertiport guidelines to encourage new landing sites.

“Electric aviation is going to be a multi-billion dollar industry with significant benefits for those cities that are first movers. Melbourne is perfectly placed to seize this opportunity with its existing heliport site that has been in operation for over 50 years,” continues Newton-Brown.

Newton-Brown sees the Yarra River vertiport as the first in a network of future landing sites for these new aircraft. He has identified Fishermans Bend or the Port for a larger vertiport base where aircraft will be charged, maintained and hangared. In addition to the existing Batman Park helipad site, Southern Cross Station and the sports precinct have been identified as potential vertistop locations for setting down and picking up passengers, subject to approvals by state and local governments.

Skyportz has patented a modular vertipad product to enable private commercial property owners to join the advanced air mobility network.