February 2023
Price: £95 PLUS VAT
Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference brought together stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the future of remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) regulation and commercial use in the UK.
It came as the CAA updated the Airspace Modernisation Strategy, and Ofcom began implementing its UAS Operator Radio licence - with further studies also being conducted by UKRI and the Law Commission.
Delegates discussed the priorities for the safe and effective integration of unmanned and remotely piloted aircraft systems into UK airspace, and what is needed from regulators and users to enable routine operations beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
They also examined emerging RPAS applications in key industries, the integration of drones into existing practices and business models, and the priorities for building business cases and attracting investment.
We are pleased to have been able to include keynote sessions with Stuart Lindsay, Head, Airspace Modernisation, Civil Aviation Authority; and Kevin Woolsey, Co-Head, General Aviation and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Civil Aviation Authority.
Also making keynote contributions were Councillor Keith Artus, Chairman, Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (SASIG); Helen Hearn, Director, Spectrum Policy, Ofcom; John McKenna, CEO, sees.ai; Nicholas Paines KC, Commissioner for Public Law, Law Commission; Andrew Sage, Director, Safety Transformation, National Air Traffic Services; Fiona Smith, Group Head of Aerodrome Strategy, AGS Airports and a senior speaker confirmed from BT Group.
Further sessions will explored:
- management of the safety and security risks of increased drone use, including emergency service response
- opportunity for enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of public services and projects through the inclusion of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology
- integrating RPAS into wider policy goals and realising their potential contribution to national efforts on sustainability and net-zero
The conference was an opportunity for stakeholders to consider the issues alongside key policy officials who attended from BEIS; Cabinet Office; DCMS; Defra; DIT; DfT; Dstl; Home Office; House of Commons Library; MCA; MoD; NCA; Royal Air Force; UKSA; and the Welsh Government – as well as by parliamentary pass-holders from both Houses of Parliament.
