FAA Breaks Ground on New AAM Research Facility in Oklahoma City
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has broken ground on the Vertical Take-Off and Landing Procedures and Analysis Range (V-PAR) at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City. The $8.3 million facility will support research, training, and operational analysis for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft, with completion expected in summer 2027.
Highlights
- The FAA broke ground on the $8.3 million V-PAR facility at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City to support Advanced Air Mobility research and training.
- V-PAR will include a vertiport landing pad, a covered hangar, and a small air traffic control building.
- The construction contract was awarded to Maguire O'Hara Construction in March 2026, with completion expected in summer 2027.
- Research conducted at V-PAR will cover wake separation, downwash and outwash analysis, radiofrequency interference testing, and vertiport operations.
- The FAA has outlined potential future expansions including additional landing pads, charging infrastructure, a second vertiport pad, and a STOL runway.
FAA Breaks Ground on New AAM Research Facility in Oklahoma City
The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have held a groundbreaking ceremony at the Mike Monroney Aeronautical Center in Oklahoma City, announcing the construction of a new facility dedicated to research, training, and operational analysis for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) aircraft.
V-PAR: A Dedicated Vertical Flight Research Environment
The new facility — officially named the Vertical Take-Off and Landing Procedures and Analysis Range (V-PAR) — will provide the FAA and its partners with a dedicated environment to conduct systematic research on vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, including both electric and hybrid-powered designs.
The site carries a total project cost of approximately $8.3 million and is planned to include the following infrastructure:
- A vertiport landing pad
- A covered hangar
- A small air traffic control building
Broad Research Scope
According to FAA plans, V-PAR is expected to support a wide range of AAM research and training activities. Key areas of study include:
- Wake separation research
- Downwash and outwash analysis
- Radiofrequency interference testing
- Vertiport operations evaluation
Construction Timeline and Future Expansion
The construction contract was formally awarded to Maguire O'Hara Construction in March 2026, with completion targeted for summer 2027.
The FAA indicated that the facility may be expanded in the future if conditions allow, with potential additions including:
- Additional landing pads
- Expanded charging infrastructure
- A second vertiport pad
- A short take-off and landing (STOL) runway
- Other related infrastructure
The groundbreaking of V-PAR signals a concrete commitment by the U.S. government to invest in next-generation air traffic infrastructure, laying the groundwork for the commercial operation of emerging aircraft such as eVTOL air taxis.
Image credit: FAA
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