The innovation landscape is changing quickly. Find out how we are responding to novel technologies and business models through iterative testing and trials with our partners.
Here you will be able to read our latest guidance papers, our viewpoints on future regulations and get information on regulatory approvals you may need to consider for conducting trials of your solutions
Our latest guidance and viewpoints
Airspace Trials: A Guide
for Innovators
The Airspace Trial is a mechanism for testing novel technology by providing suitable airspace constructs for this type of activity. This guide provides innovators with the background and guidance for an Airspace Trial.
Testing Novel Technology in UK Airspace: A Guide for Innovators (CAP 1930)
Safety Management Systems for Innovators
A Safety Management System (SMS) is a systematic and proactive approach to managing safety risks related to your operation. The purpose of this guide is to provide an introduction to the SMS and describe how it can help you as an innovator.
Safety Management Systems (SMS) for Innovators (CAP 1931)
Concept of Operations (ConOps) Sandbox Guide
A Concept of Operations (ConOps) is a mandatory requirement for any application to be considered for onboarding to the Innovation Hub’s Regulatory Sandbox. The purpose of a ConOps is to provide an overview of proposed trials, along with supporting information such as timelines and details of any novel technologies.
This guidance (CAP 1907) highlights the sections that must be included in order to provide the minimum required information.
Concept of Operations (ConOps) Sandbox Guide (CAP 1907)
Project Consortia Good Practice
From our experience working closely with consortia in our Regulatory Sandbox, this publication (CAP 1905) shares some good practice guidance to support better working, efficiency, and success.
Project Consortia Good Practice (CAP 1905)
Social Licence to Operate
Public engagement has long been recognised as an important part of commercial strategy and ensuring success. When it comes to introducing highly innovative ideas to market this need to actively and effectively engage becomes even more critical.
This publication (CAP 1900) provides guidance on how innovators can build in social engagement as a key part of their development strategy.
Social Licence to Operate: Concept Guide for New Technologies (CAP 1900)
Guidance for operating Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)
We’ve designed this BVLOS guidance paper (CAP 1861) to explain the fundamental principles of operating safely Beyond Visual Line of Sight in non-segregated airspace.
The paper describes the challenges that must be tackled to unlock the full potential for future UAS operations such as inspection of infrastructure and deliveries.
Beyond visual line of sight in non-segregated airspace (CAP 1861)
Novel operations in a specific trial area
This document (CAP 1835) provides good practice guidance for innovators who want to try out novel and innovative aviation technologies and operations in a sustainable manner in UK airspace.
Novel Operation in a Specific Trial Area (NOSTrA) Approach (CAP 1835)
A unified approach to UAS traffic management
The concept of UAS Traffic Management, or UTM, has been developing over the last few years, and this paper (CAP 1868) discusses the CAA position on this new ecosystem, as well as briefly exploring international and UK initiatives.
A Unified Approach to the Introduction of UAS Traffic Management (CAP 1868)
Podcasts
CAA On Air podcast on innovation, drones and recreational flying
David Tait from our innovation team discusses how the nature of innovation in aviation is changing and how we are supporting innovators to advance the trial of their products and services.
Listen to the CAA's On Air podcast
Articles and blogs
The latest news, articles and blogs from the innovation team
Watch a video around our work with Sees.ai about setting the path for beyond visual line of sight.