Search results for 'drones'

CAP3165 (PDF)

The first was an adaptation night (no data collected). 4.9 They were then exposed to six randomised exposure nights with the following auditory conditions:  No noise (control group)  Aircraft Noise (AN)  AN + earplugs  AN + pink noise at 40 dBA  AN + pink noise at 50 dBA  Pink noise alone at 50 dBA 4.10 Participants were exposed to 93 events per night, including noise from jets, helicopters, drones, sonic booms, alarms, etc played at 45, 55, or 65 dBA.

Last updated: 28 October 2025

CAP3151 (PDF)

There was also interest in reporting low-level noise, for example, reporting on the impact of low-level noise on rural communities and tranquil areas. 4.5 Reporting on the effectiveness of noise abatement procedures and initiatives, such as continuous climb or continuous descent procedures, and how flights conform with such procedures, were suggested by respondents. 4.6 One respondent suggested reporting on the rate of fleet modernisation and uptake of quieter aircraft which could include reporting on the proportion of ICAO Annex 16 Volume I Chapter 14 aircraft that make up a fleet at a particular airport. 4.7 In addition to reporting aircraft noise, respondents suggested reporting noise from other operations, such as airport support vehicles, airport infrastructure, drones and space launches.

Last updated: 17 September 2025

Understanding airspace

How UK airspace works

Class G airspace is primarily used by recreational flyers, the military, emergency helicopters and drones.

Last updated: 17 March 2025

New plans for quicker, quieter and cleaner flights on the horizon

Consultation launched on how to deliver plans to cut flight delays, reduce carbon emissions and deliver growth for the sector

With over 2.6 million aircraft flying through the UK every year, both the Department for Transport and UK Civil Aviation Authority are seeking views on how a UK Airspace Design Service could deliver on airspace modernisation – utilising new technology to meet demand and ultimately help pave the way for incorporation of new technologies, such as drones and spacecraft. 

Last updated: 06 November 2024

Our Strategy

What we want to achieve and how we plan to do it

Some technologies, such as drones are transitioning from test and development towards demonstration and scale, while others have increased in prominence – for instance, the role of Artificial Intelligence and autonomy.

Last updated: 09 May 2025

UKADS Key topics

Background to the UKADS

Why the UKADS is needed As the airspace change masterplan has progressed, it has become clear that the challenges of today’s airspace change model risk the delivery of much-needed modernisation: the complex nature of UK airspace, particularly in the London area neighbouring airports, each having their own requirements, proposing and funding individual airspace change proposals where the airspace designs are interdependent dispersed and scarce expertise in the industry sometimes leading to inconsistent standards and variable quality in airspace change proposal submissions increasing demand from new or developing types of airspace user (such as drones, aerial taxis, high-altitude platforms, space launch) to have routine access to an integrated airspace for all users, but no obvious sponsor to take forward or fund any changes to the airspace design needed to accommodate them.

Last updated: 09 December 2025

NERL LICENCE 21 December 25 (PDF)

“New Users” means a User who: - is or is in the process of applying to be an “unmanned aircraft system operator” or “UAS operator” carrying out “UAS operations” as defined in UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947; - is the holder of or is in the process of applying for an “operator licence” or a “spaceport licence” as defined in the Space Industry Act 2018; UK Civil Aviation Authority Air Traffic Services Licence for NATS (En Route) plc December 2025 Page 48 of 134 OFFICIAL - Public.

Last updated: 19 December 2025

CAP3164 (PDF)

“New Users” means a User who:  is or is in the process of applying to be an “unmanned aircraft system operator” or “UAS operator” carrying out “UAS operations” as defined in UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947;  is the holder of or is in the process of applying for an “operator licence” or a “spaceport licence” as defined in the Space Industry Act 2018;  is the owner of a “spacecraft” or a “carrier aircraft “as defined in the Space Industry Act 2018; or  is any other User who owns, operates, or is in the process of applying for the relevant approvals to own or operate, a novel type of aircraft for which the Licensee has not previously provided air traffic services and who wishes to use such services.

Last updated: 09 December 2025

CAP3121 (PDF)

“New Users” means a User who: ▪ is or is in the process of applying to be an “unmanned aircraft system operator” or “UAS operator” carrying out “UAS operations” as defined in UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947; ▪ is the holder of or is in the process of applying for an “operator licence” or a “spaceport licence” as defined in the Space Industry Act 2018; ▪ is the owner of a “spacecraft” or a “carrier aircraft” as defined in the Space Industry Act 2018; or ▪ is any other User who owns, operates, or is in the process of applying for the relevant approvals to own or operate, a novel type of aircraft for which the Licensee has not previously provided air traffic services and who wishes to use such services.

Last updated: 12 June 2025