University of Bristol researchers join Skyportz and Swinburne University to address air taxi noise

Australian vertiport infrastructure developer Skyportz has announced a research collaboration with the aerodynamic and aeroacoustic research group at University of Bristol, bringing world-leading expertise in aeroacoustics and noise amelioration to the ongoing refinement of Skyportz’s Aeroberm modular vertipad.

image: Skyportz

The project is advancing testing of the first full-scale Aeroberm prototype — an elevated, modular vertipad system designed to mitigate the three key “showstoppers” for advanced air mobility (AAM): downwash, noise, and fire safety.

Aerodynamics and Aeroaocustics researchers Dr Esmaeel Masoudi and Professor Mahdi Azarpeyvand from University of Bristol will investigate how disrupting downwash vortices can also reduce noise generation from eVTOL aircraft during take-off and landing.

The Aeroberm employs a patented sub-deck airflow management system that disrupts and redirects high-energy rotor vortices created by eVTOL operations.

By breaking up these flow patterns, the system not only reduces downwash and outwash, but also has the potential to reduce acoustic emissions — a link now being investigated jointly by Swinburne University and the University of Bristol.

“We are excited to join Swinburne University and Skyportz to work on a much-needed technology such as Aeroberm that could significantly reduce both downwash-induced turbulence and associated noise, providing a quieter and safer vertiport environment,” said Dr Esmaeel Masoudi, assistant professor at University of Bristol.

Professor Justin Leontini from Swinburne University said, “This partnership extends our research into real-world applications. We’re resolving key aerodynamic parameters through CFD modelling, and we’re excited to test how these might correlate with acoustic performance in collaboration with the University of Bristol.”

Clem Newton-Brown, CEO of Skyportz, added, “Noise is one of the most significant barriers to public acceptance of advanced air mobility. By combining Bristol’s expertise in aeroacoustics with our Australian-led research into downwash/outwash and fire suppression, we’re closing the loop on many of the critical safety and environmental challenges facing the industry.”

Skyportz expects to announce the first Aeroberm prototype sites in 2026, marking a major milestone in the creation of scalable, deployable vertiport infrastructure to support the next generation of sustainable air mobility.