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Consultation launched on making aircraft more visible in UK skies

  • UK aviation regulator launches consultation on electronic conspicuity
  • Sets out proposals to make technology mandatory on all civil aircraft flying below 10,000 ft
  • Changes could make flying safer in the future as drones, new aircraft types and increased air traffic mean UK skies will be busier than ever

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has launched a public consultation on plans to make it easier for aircraft to detect and avoid one another in flight.

The proposals focus on the use of electronic conspicuity (EC), technology that allows aircraft to broadcast their position electronically so they can be seen by other airspace users.

Under the plans, EC could become mandatory for aircraft flying below 10,000 feet in UK airspace. The Department for Transport has concluded that a national EC Mandate is needed, and the Civil Aviation Authority is now consulting on how it should be designed and introduced.

The consultation is part of wider work to modernise the nation’s airspace, helping make it fit for a host of new users, like operators flying drones ‘beyond visual line of sight’, as well as pilots flying more traditional aircraft like aeroplanes, gliders and helicopters.

Giancarlo Buono, Group Director of Safety and Airspace Regulation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

“Our skies are becoming increasingly complex, with a wider range of aircraft sharing the same space. Managing this safely is our top priority.

“Electronic conspicuity can help pilots and operators see each other more clearly, reducing the risk of issues as traffic increases.”

The UK Civil Aviation Authority is seeking views from pilots, operators and other stakeholders on how any requirement should be designed and introduced. This includes feedback on safety benefits, costs, and interoperability between systems.

It will also consider how any future requirements interact with existing systems, including potential exemptions and implementation approaches.

The consultation launched on 14 July and is running until 22 September 2026. Responses will help shape future airspace policy as part of the UK’s wider Airspace Modernisation Strategy.