Diploma in Operation, Capacity and Certification of Vertiports
Online postgraduate diploma of 800 hours in Vertiport Operations, Capacity and Certification. 8 modules covering vertiport operations, capacity and throughput, discrete-event simulation, network and slot management, the certification framework under Regulation (EU) 139/2014, management systems and sustainability, with an assigned technical tutor.
Diploma in Operation, Capacity and Certification of Vertiports — studying from the United States
The United States leads global aerospace, anchored by clusters in Seattle, Wichita, Hartford, Huntsville and the Houston area. Major employers such as Boeing, Lockheed Martin, RTX and GE Aerospace drive demand for engineers in airframes, propulsion, avionics and systems integration. Urban air mobility and commercial drone operations are expanding quickly, creating new roles in eVTOL design, airspace integration and UAS operations. Civil and military programs both rely heavily on certified design, testing and airworthiness processes, making this a strong field for engineers seeking complex, high-impact work.
Fees for the United States: US$2,000 (US Dollars), with instalments and employer sponsorship available.
Relevant bodies in the United States
Typical roles
Questions from the United States
Which professional bodies in the United States recognize engineers in aerospace, and does a private qualification help with licensing?
Aerospace engineering in the US is supported by bodies such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and ABET, which accredits engineering degree programs. Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is granted by individual state licensing boards, not by a federal body. SEIUM's qualifications are private and not state degrees, so they do not by themselves lead to PE licensure. Whether they are recognized for any purpose is decided by employers or the relevant professional body.
Do US employers in aerospace, drones or space value a private engineering postgraduate qualification?
Hiring in US aerospace and space companies, including defense contractors and drone firms, typically weighs accredited degrees, licenses, security clearances and hands-on experience heavily. A private online qualification is judged case by case by each employer, and its value depends on the skills it demonstrates and the candidate's track record. It should be seen as a way to build specialist knowledge rather than a guaranteed credential for any role.
Can I realistically study this from the United States while working full time, and how is it paid for?
The programmes are fully online and taught in English, so you can study from home and no student visa is needed. A master's requires about 1,900 hours, a postgraduate diplomas about 800 hours, and specialist courses about 300 hours, so planning weekly hours is essential. Fees can be paid in instalments, and some employers sponsor staff training, which you should confirm with your own employer.
Take the controls.
Run a real engineering trade-off from this field. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.
What you will be able to do
Organise the daily operations and turnaround of a vertiport.
Calculate the capacity and level of service of a vertiport.
Simulate aircraft and passenger operations with discrete events.
Manage slots and flows across a vertiport network.
Apply the European certification framework to vertiports.
Implement safety and quality management systems.
Assess the sustainability and social acceptance of a vertiport.
Who it's for
- Vertiport operations managers.
- Aerodrome certification managers adapting to vertiports.
- Capacity analysts working with queueing and simulation models.
- SMS managers at airports and vertiport operators.
- UAM network planners.
- Urban air mobility consultants.
- Engineering or science graduates aiming to join vertiport operators.
What you'll work with
- Regulation (EU) 139/2014 (aerodrome requirements and procedures)
- EASA PTS-VPT-DSN (prototype technical specifications for vertiport design)
- FAA Engineering Brief 105 (vertiport design)
- ICAO Annex 14, Volume II (heliports)
- ICAO Annex 19 (safety management)
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664 (regulatory framework for the U-space)
- ISO 9001 (quality management systems)
- AnyLogic
- Simio
- Python (SimPy)
- CAST Terminal
- Microsoft Power BI
8 modules
1.1The operator's business model1.2Organisation and roles1.3Arrival and departure procedures1.4Turnaround: disembarkation, charging and boarding1.5Coordination with eVTOL operators1.6Handling services1.7Passenger management1.8Line maintenance1.9Night operations1.10Case study: eVTOL turnaround procedure
2.1Declared and practical capacity2.2FATO occupancy time2.3Ratio between FATOs and stands2.4Queueing models and capacity theory2.5Demand peaks and design hour2.6Separation between arrivals and departures2.7Impact of battery charging2.8Capacity in adverse weather2.9Level-of-service metrics2.10Lab: queueing model of a vertiport
3.1Discrete-event simulation3.2Modelling aircraft flows3.3Modelling passenger flows3.4Demand scenarios3.5Sensitivity analysis3.6Configuration optimisation3.7Vertiport digital twin3.8Model validation3.9Presentation of results3.10Practical exercise: AnyLogic simulation of a vertihub
4.1Vertiport network and connections4.2Slot allocation4.3Fleet scheduling4.4Repositioning of empty aircraft4.5Integration with U-space4.6Contingencies and diversions4.7Delay management4.8Shared information systems4.9Collaborative decision-making4.10Workshop: slot allocation in a network of three vertiports
5.1Regulation (EU) 139/2014 and its application5.2EASA proposals for vertiports5.3Certification versus authorisation5.4Site certification basis5.5Vertiport manual5.6Organisation and personnel5.7Continuing oversight5.8The FAA approach5.9Management of exemptions and deviations5.10Practical exercise: table of contents of the vertiport operations manual
6.1Operator SMS6.2Quality management6.3Compliance monitoring6.4Management of change6.5Training and competencies6.6Occurrence reporting6.7Internal audits6.8Interface with authorities6.9Vertiport emergency plan6.10Case study: compliance audit of a vertiport
7.1Vertiport carbon footprint7.2Noise impact on the surroundings7.3Social acceptance studies7.4Integration with public transport7.5Equity and accessibility7.6Economic model and fares7.7Relations with city councils7.8ESG indicators7.9Public communication7.10Workshop: community engagement plan
8.1Vertiport selection8.2Demand estimation8.3Capacity model8.4Operations simulation8.5Operating procedures8.6Management system8.7Certification plan8.8Performance indicators8.9Report and presentation8.10Final project: final review with the tutor
How you'll learn
A 100% online programme on the SEIUM Institute campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so you can combine it with your job.
Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original regulation and applied exercises. You work with AnyLogic, Simio, Python (SimPy), CAST Terminal and Microsoft Power BI, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Tests are studied on real procedures: discrete-event capacity simulation of a vertihub, preparation of a vertiport operations manual, and slot allocation across a vertiport network. Assessment is continuous by module plus the final project.
Standards covered: Regulation (EU) 139/2014, EASA PTS-VPT-DSN (Prototype Technical Specifications), FAA Engineering Brief 105, ICAO Annex 14 Volume II, ICAO Annex 19 (Safety Management), Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664, ISO 9001.
Build it end to end
Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.
Where this takes you
Requirements
- Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector. No university degree is required.
- Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
- English sufficient to read technical standards.
Ready to start?
Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.
Frequently asked questions
The programme totals 800 hours over 6–8 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.
You work with AnyLogic, Simio, Python (SimPy), CAST Terminal and Microsoft Power BI, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.
A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the final project. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.
Yes. Modules passed are recognised in a higher programme in the same area (postgraduate diploma or master's). Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.
Prior technical training or professional experience in the sector (no university degree required), a computer able to run the programme software and English sufficient to read technical standards.
Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.
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