At a glance:
- New roadmap enables UK innovators to fully unlock the potential for the commercial use of drones.
- The roadmap sets out a path to have routine Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) Operations in the UK by 2027.
- Move has been widely welcomed by UK drone industry and will allow drone inspections and deliveries in villages.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has today published its Future of Flight: BVLOS roadmap setting out operational pathways to unlock the full economic and societal potential of airborne drones.
Supporting the UK Government’s major regulatory reforms, the new roadmap will allow drones to reach their full potential on long distance flights.
It sets out a safe, realistic and proportionate roadmap for the near future, building on the ground-breaking trials already being undertaken by UK companies conducting drone delivery and inspections.
The flying of drones beyond the visual line of sight of their operator is the biggest challenge facing the industry. This involves drones safely sharing the airspace with all other types of aircraft, as well as flying over cities and infrastructure. The new roadmap sets out a straightforward plan for the UK that sees this being fully achieved in the next three years.
Rob Bishton, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
“This technology has the potential to deliver huge benefits, and our roadmap sets out sensible and effective regulation that will enable the UK drone industry to continue to develop and grow”.
“We are working closely with innovators and their positive reaction to our roadmap endorses our approach and will enable the UK to play a leading role as the market develops internationally.”
Drone use that will be fully unlock public benefits include:
- Inspections of infrastructure such as railways, power lines and wind turbines
- Security inspections, such as perimeter inspections of large sites
- Deliveries including shopping, and medical supplies and tests
- Emergency assistance in remote locations
UK innovators have welcomed the move that will streamline their plans to introduce further BVLOS flying.
Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO of UK drone trade body ARPAS UK said:
“ARPAS-UK welcomes the CAA’s updated BVLOS roadmap. We value this transparent engagement and the focus on use cases that deliver near-term real value for the sector, supported by clearly articulated and progressive requirements for each scenario in the longer-term.
“The industry is, of course, ready to move faster, especially in lower air risk operations, and we will continue working collaboratively to help accelerate delivery.”
Alex Brown, CEO of Skyports Drone Services which operates drone BVLOS flights in the UK said:
“The CAA’s BVLOS Roadmap is a welcome step forward for unlocking drones’ full potential in the UK.
“By the CAA taking an improved and bolder stance, and embedding industry at the centre of policy development, together we can accelerate progress, scale safely, and help unlock drones’ contributions to private and public services.
“Skyports Drone Services is committed to driving this vision forward and scaling BVLOS operations safely, and we look forward to the CAA’s closer partnership and support.”