Terminal for electric flying taxis planned for Scoresby business estate

Article by Ian Royall via The Herald Sun

Bold plans for Australia’s first terminal and base for electric air taxis have been unveiled.

The new “vertiport” would be built at the Caribbean Park business estate in Scoresby in Melbourne’s east.

The terminal plans were announced at the Advanced Air Mobility summit in Melbourne on Tuesday.

​Clem Newton-Brown, chief executive of Skyportz, which has the option to build the project, said “mini airports’’ were needed in locations where people wanted to go to.

“Electric air taxis will be a new era in aviation where clean, green and quiet small aircraft can take people to places they want to go -—be it work or leisure,’’ he said.

“The Caribbean Park vertiport is the first in a network of sites we will establish in advance of the aircraft becoming operational.”

The federal Civil Aviation Safety Authority has released a road map for the introduction of air mobility.
Mr Newton-Brown said it was forecast that some “eVTOLs” (Electric Vertical Take Off and Landing) aircraft would be certified to take passengers by 2024.

Rodney Higgins, chief operating officer on Microflite helicopters, said Caribbean Park had been used for chopper transfers for many years.

“We are looking forward to utilising this facility and the broader Skyportz network as our operations morph into electric aircraft, enabling us to create new destinations and services for the community.”

The terminal building on the edge of Caribbean Lake will be prefabricated and assembled on site.

The design has been drawn up by Contreras Earl Architecture.

The project will require planning approval but the site already has permits for helicopter landing.

Treasurer and Economic Development Minister Tim Pallas announced at the summit a state government vision statement for electric aviation.

The aim to consult with the community, businesses and the Commonwealth on regulations and safety measures for an Advanced Air Mobility industry.

“Advanced Air Mobility has the potential to provide major benefits in the form of jobs and secure supply chains, and the work we are doing now is crucial to how the sector will ultimately look,” Mr Pallas said.

​“AAM complements our investments in hydrogen and battery technology and broadening the state’s skill base.”