What is a vertistop, and how is it different from a vertiport?

A vertistop is a minimal-infrastructure landing pad designed for eVTOL aircraft demonstrations or limited operations, typically built to FAA Engineering Brief 105A standards. A vertiport is a full-scale facility with more comprehensive infrastructure for commercial AAM operations. GOAA plans to upgrade from the vertistop to a complete vertiport at MCO before 2030.

Where exactly will the MCO vertistop be built?

The vertistop will be built in the 'Atlantis' surface parking lot at Orlando International Airport, adjacent to the airport's automated people mover station. The site was chosen for its proximity to the passenger terminals and the airport's large footprint, which helps minimize disruption to existing flight operations.

What federal and state programs support this project?

The project is tied to the FAA's eVTOL and AAM Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), a three-year initiative in which Florida DOT was selected as one of eight participants in March 2026. Partners include the FAA, FDOT, NASA, NATCA, and local air traffic control authorities.

Orlando International Airport Approved to Build eVTOL…

Orlando International Airport Approved to Build eVTOL 'Vertistop' Facility

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) board has authorized construction of a vertistop at Orlando International Airport (MCO) to support eVTOL demonstration flights. The project is subject to FAA approval and Florida DOT support, with a long-term goal of establishing a full AAM vertiport at MCO before 2030.

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Highlights

The GOAA board has authorized construction of an eVTOL vertistop at Orlando International Airport (MCO), pending FAA approval and FDOT support.

The vertistop will be sited in MCO's 'Atlantis' surface parking lot, adjacent to the automated people mover station, and designed to FAA Engineering Brief 105A standards.

Florida DOT was selected in March 2026 as one of eight participants in the FAA's three-year eVTOL and AAM Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).

GOAA's ultimate goal is to have a full-scale AAM vertiport operational at MCO before 2030.

All eVTOL aircraft operating near MCO will use advanced surveillance and tracking technology to maintain situational awareness for pilots and air traffic controllers.

The Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) board has authorized airport staff to develop a "vertistop" — a small-scale vertical takeoff and landing facility — at Orlando International Airport (MCO) to support electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft demonstration flights. The project remains subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and support from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Facility Location and Planning

According to an official airport press release, the vertistop will be a minimal-infrastructure landing pad located in the "Atlantis" surface parking lot at MCO, adjacent to the airport's automated people mover station. Once completed, the facility will be used for aircraft demonstrations in coordination with federal and state partners, including the FAA, FDOT, local air traffic control authorities, NASA, and the National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA).

The project will also use high-fidelity airspace simulations to validate the feasibility of approach and departure procedures.

Florida AAM Integration Pilot Program

In March 2026, FDOT was selected as one of eight proposals for the FAA's eVTOL and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP). The eIPP is a three-year initiative aimed at accelerating the safe integration of AAM aircraft into the National Airspace System. The GOAA board's latest action advances Florida's broader AAM commercialization efforts.

"I am pleased to see industry again joining together to help build Florida's highway in the sky network," said FDOT Secretary Jared W. Perdue. "This vertistop will play a critical role in the initial phase of the I-4 Corridor Advanced Air Mobility initiative."

GOAA Executive Director Lance Lyttle added: "Today's action reflects our commitment to preparing Orlando International Airport, and airports across the state, for the future of aviation — while always keeping safety, collaboration, and the passenger experience first. We are grateful for the support of the FAA, FDOT, local air traffic control, NASA, NATCA, and the many public and private stakeholders involved."

Design Standards and Safety Considerations

The vertistop will be designed in accordance with FAA guidelines, including FAA Engineering Brief 105A, which governs landing sites with minimal infrastructure requirements. MCO's AAM planning prioritizes avoiding disruption to existing aviation traffic by operating through procedures independent of conventional airport operations. The airport's expansive footprint and widely spaced parallel runways provide favorable conditions for exploring eVTOL integration near the passenger terminals.

All eVTOL aircraft operating in the vicinity of MCO are expected to use advanced surveillance and tracking technologies to enhance situational awareness for both pilots and air traffic controllers, further ensuring the safety and efficiency of airspace integration.

Path to a Full Vertiport by 2030

GOAA stated that constructing the vertistop in the Atlantis surface parking lot represents a critical step in validating the site's suitability for future commercial eVTOL operations. It forms part of GOAA's broader vision to develop a full-scale AAM vertiport at MCO before 2030.

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