The UK Civil Aviation Authority is helping to enable the next revolution in aviation and aerospace. From electric aircraft and hydrogen propulsion to drones, AI and advanced airspace systems — our role is to make it easier for innovators to bring bold ideas to life, safely. We help them navigate regulation early, reducing barriers and unlocking progress.
We provide clear guidance, offer early engagement, and explore new regulatory approaches to support innovation in a safe and controlled way.
How we support innovation
Through our research and innovation work, we:
- Act as a point of contact for innovators in aviation and aerospace
- Provide expertise, guidance and viewpoints on regulations
- Enable testing through sandbox trials and other projects to help innovators maximise regulatory preparation for their products and services
- Help shape and accelerate the development of policies and regulations, by predicting regulatory challenges in areas of innovation and then considering the requirements for new policies and regulations.
Who we work with
We support companies, researchers, start-ups, other governments and regulators, as well as established industry partners working on:
- Advanced Air Mobility
- Artificial Intelligence
- Beyond Visual Line of Sight drone operations (BVLOS)
- Hydrogen and zero-emission aviation, including aircraft design and airport ground equipment
If you are developing something new, we can help you understand what regulation applies and how to work with us.
We welcome early engagement. If you are working on an innovative aviation project and need regulatory support, contact innovation@caa.co.uk.