The Future Flight Challenge (2019–2024) was a UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) programme that supported the development of new aviation systems — including electric and autonomous aircraft, drones, advanced airspace management, and supporting infrastructure.
We worked closely with funded projects to help them understand and navigate aviation regulation as they brought new ideas into testing and operation.
Our role
Our aim was to reduce barriers to innovation and ensure new aviation technologies could be developed safely and responsibly. We supported over 40 Future Flight participants by:
- Providing early regulatory advice
- Helping teams explore certification, airspace integration and safety requirements
- Offering access to sandbox testing to trial new concepts in a controlled environment
What we learned
This work helped us:
- Identify common regulatory challenges across emerging technologies
- Develop new tools and guidance for innovators
- Build internal capability to respond to future technologies more effectively
Insights from this work continue to inform how we support innovation today — from advanced air mobility to hydrogen propulsion and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations.
Looking ahead
While the Future Flight Challenge has concluded, our commitment to supporting safe innovation continues. If you are working on a new aviation concept or technology and need regulatory support, contact our team.