FLY SMART, FLY SAFE
Connor Champ of the Law Commission will provide an overview and briefing on the consultation. For ARPAS-UK members keen to contribute to information regulation: Autonomy in Aviation: drones and advanced air mobility.
About the Speaker:
Connor Champ has been at the Law Commission for six years. He has previously worked on the Automated Vehicles Project.
He has a DPhil & MPhil in Law from the University of Oxford, has lectured at the University of Tuebingen, has an LLB from Queen Mary University, London and a BA, BSc and PhD from the University of Queensland.
The Law Commission has been asked by the Civil Aviation Authority (“CAA”) and Department for Transport (“DfT”) to review the law around autonomous flight, in order to support the safe development of rapidly advancing technology.
The three-year review is partly funded by UK Research & Innovation (“UKRI”) through the Future Flight Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council. It will examine the existing legal framework to identify the challenges and opportunities linked to the introduction of highly automated systems into the aviation sector.
Summary of the Consultation
Automation is already heavily used in aviation today, but recent breakthroughs have seen the development of new, innovative autonomous and highly automated systems and vehicles. These include drones, as well as advanced air mobility vehicles, such as vertical take-off and landing (“VTOL”) aircraft, which can provide short journeys for a small number of people.
Increased automation has the potential to deliver substantial benefits to the entire aviation system, UK industry, and the public. To realise these benefits, the UK’s legislative and regulatory framework needs to be sufficiently agile to facilitate innovation, whilst robust enough to maintain the high safety standards that aviation enjoys.
The project reviews existing legislation to identify any legislative blocks, gaps or uncertainties. The Commission will consult with key stakeholders in the aviation and innovation sectors, before proposing a series of law reforms that will ensure the UK is ready to take advantage of oncoming advances in automation.
Here’s a summary of the report on Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) from PwC Drone Powered Solutions:
Overall, the report emphasizes the pivotal role of UTM in shaping a future where drones significantly contribute to various industries, enhance service delivery, and foster innovation and growth.
June 2024
SORA v2.5 is now published, and the UK CAA intends to implement a UK version of v2.5.
Let’s walk through a practical example in conversation with Nathanel Apter, who has been advising operators on how to get approvals from the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation using SORA. Nathanel has also been part of the JARUS task force behind v2.5.
Remember that SORA is for the Specific Category.
PDRA01 holders won’t be directly affected because their OA is pre-defined, but non-PDRA01 authorisations, like OSC, will eventually follow UK SORA. Plus: SORA may open opportunities for all in the specific category.
Speakers: Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO of ARPAS-UK & Nathanel Apter, UASolutions CEO
Nathanel Apter, UASolutions, CEO & Partner.
Nathanel previously worked for the Digitisation & Innovation Team at the Federal Office of Civil Aviation Switzerland, before founding UASolutions. In addition, he is a Board Member of the Drone Industry Association Switzerland (DIAS) and Member of the JARUS SORA v2.5 Main Body Task Force.
The SORA is a methodology for the classification of the risk posed by a drone flight in the specific category of operations and for the identification of mitigations and of the safety objectives. It helps the operator to identify operational limitations, training objectives for the personnel essential for the operation (e.g remote pilots, observers, maintainers etc..), technical requirements for the drone and to develop the appropriate operational procedures that will be part of the operator manual.
Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) | EASA (europa.eu)
The Great British Entrepreneur Awards, often referred to as the “Grammys of Entrepreneurship,” celebrates the achievements of the UK’s most dynamic and innovative businesses. Each year, the awards receive thousands of applications, underscoring the competitive nature and high standard of the competition. This year’s shortlist showcases a combined turnover of nearly £2.9 billion and employs approximately 20,000 people, highlighting the critical role these businesses play in driving economic growth and innovation.
“As we celebrate our 10th year anniversary, we are incredibly honoured to be shortlisted for such a prestigious award. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team, and we are excited to celebrate this achievement with the wider entrepreneurial community,” said Rebecca Jones, Co-Founder, Iprosurv.
Previous winners of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards include the founders of BrewDog, MyEnergi, Zilch, Grenade, and ClearScore, who have gone on to become household names. It is with thanks to national and regional sponsors Allica Bank, Airwallex, Basket, Caudwell Children, de Novo Solutions, GiftRound, GS Verde Group, GS1 UK, Home Grown, JF Growth Menzies, Quidos, Randal Charitable Foundation, ScoreApp, TikTok, UBS Wealth Management and Vestd that the Great British Entrepreneur Awards has been able to celebrate the very best of Great British entrepreneurs for 12 years.
The awards ceremony will take place on Monday, 18th November, at London’s prestigious Grosvenor House, where winners for each category in each region will be announced. This event is the largest entrepreneurial celebration in the UK, providing a platform for businesses to connect, celebrate, and champion the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Francesca James, Founder of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, stated, “The calibre of entries this year is truly outstanding. These entrepreneurs are the backbone of our economy, and their stories are a testament to the incredible resilience and creativity of the UK’s business community. We are thrilled to recognise their achievements and support their continued growth.”
Allica Bank, the headline sponsor for this year’s awards, shares this commitment to fostering entrepreneurial success. “It has been a real honour to sponsor this year’s Great British Entrepreneur Awards. Hearing the inspiring stories from the incredible businesses that these awards champion really brings to life the important contribution that British entrepreneurs make to our economy” says Conrad Ford, Chief Product & Strategy Officer at Allica Bank.
For more information about Iprosurv Limited, please visit www.iprosurv.com.
To learn more about the Great British Entrepreneur Awards, visit www.greatbritishentrepreneurawards.com
Contact: Rebecca Jones, Co-Founder & CEO, Iprosurv Limited
About Iprosurv
Operating in the commercial sector since 2014, Iprosurv has been at the forefront of pioneering the use of drones across a variety of industries. Our mission is to drive the widespread adoption of drone technology across business sectors, helping to improve operations, reduce costs, and increase safety while positively impacting the UK economy. We aim to position Iprosurv as one of the UK’s leading drone services businesses.
Leveraging a national supply chain of expert drone operators, we serve a diverse range of clients, including Fortune 500 companies and global organisations. Iprosurv holds extensive regulatory approvals from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), enabling us to operate under complex operations exemptions.
Authorised by the Civil Aviation Authority as a Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE), we offer both standard and bespoke training solutions for organisations and individuals aiming to become CAA-approved drone pilots or upgrade their qualifications.
From building surveys and flood response to supporting emergency services, Iprosurv continues to push the boundaries of drone technology in business applications. Our commitment to innovation and safety ensures that we remain leaders in the rapidly evolving field of commercial drone operations.
Iprosurv Limited is an ARPAS-UK Member
25 June 2024
Disclaimer: All jobs posted here are from LinkedIn and other job sites including member and non-member organizations.
ISS Aerospace is looking for a UAV Software System Engineer.
Tekever is looking for a UAV Software Engineer.
Helsing are looking for a Drone Field Technician.
Keltbray are looking for drone pilots.
Amazon are looking for a Certification and Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Drone Delivery, Amazon Prime Air
Dronamics are looking to recruit a Structural Analyst.
Skydio is looking for a Field Support Representative – (Remote – EMEA)
Skyports are looking to recruit a Site Reliability Engineer and a Remote Pilot Specialist.
Airpelago is looking to recruit drone pilots.
APEM Group are looking to recruit a Service Technician – Drones, camera specialist.
JARUS published the SORA version 2.5 in June 2024. You can access the full set of documentation by clicking on the button:
Publications
SORA stands for Specific Operations Risk Assessment. It is the safety methodology developed by JARUS, a group of aviation experts from around the globe, including the CAA.
The UK CAA is now developing a UK version of SORA v2.5 and it will be subject to industry consultation. Once adopted, UK SORA would replace the current safety methodology to build the safety cases of Operational Safety Cases OSC in the Specific Category. It will impact OSC holders but should not impact PDRA012 holders (to be confirmed!).
Watch our webinars to know more about it, especially our webinar with Nathanel Apter, one of the members of the JARUS working groups, by clicking Here.
Below is the main body available for direct download for your convenience. Keep in mind that the full pack comprises 8 additional annexes that are key to fully understanding the methodology.
uAvionix, a leading provider of command, navigation, and surveillance technologies for drones, today announced that the Oswego City Police Department’s Drone as a First Responder (DFR) program has received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval for operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) without Visual Observers (VOs) using the uAvionix Casia G ground-based detect-and-avoid (DAA) system. This milestone approval allows the police department to operate small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) as a first response to emergency calls, bringing enhanced response times, situational awareness, and safety to the public and officers.
A key factor in the success of Oswego’s DFR program is the implementation of uAvionix’s Casia G product. Casia G, an advanced DAA solution, provides critical airspace awareness, enabling safe BVLOS operations. The integration of Casia G ensures that Oswego’s drones can operate safely and effectively without the need for human Visual Observers, enhancing the overall efficiency of their response to emergencies.
“We wouldn’t be celebrating this milestone today without the unwavering support of the Mayor and Common Council, whose dedication to public safety has paved the way for this groundbreaking initiative. Additionally, our gratitude extends to UVT and uAvionix for their invaluable assistance throughout this journey, underscoring the collaborative spirit driving innovation in public safety,” said Chris Baker, Systems Administrator and Drone & Robotics Coordinator for Oswego City, NY.
“The achievement marks a pivotal moment for police departments, emergency services, and fire departments nationwide,” noted Jon Damush, uAvionix CEO. “The use of our Casia G product in Oswego’s DFR program exemplifies how advanced technology can enhance public safety operations. Future approvals for Police, EMS, and Fire departments adopting the same approach are expected, paving the way for widespread adoption of DFR programs across the United States.”
DFR programs are revolutionizing the way police departments respond to emergencies. By deploying drones equipped with advanced surveillance and communication technologies, police can gain immediate situational awareness of an incident scene before officers arrive.
For example, a drone may be able to confirm or refute the possession of a firearm or allow the captain to give guidance to a junior officer. This capability not only enhances the efficiency and effectiveness of police response but also helps in allocating resources more strategically.
uAvionix has been pioneering innovative technologies for the safe integration of UAS into the national airspace since 2015. In October 2023, they acquired Iris Automation, the original developer of the Casia G Detect and Avoid system. This acquisition strengthens uAvionix’s core offerings for enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations, which include the Casia G ground-based system that detects nearby aircraft to ensure safe drone operations, and FlightLine, which collects and displays ADS-B surveillance data.
uAvionix invites police departments and public safety agencies to explore the benefits of DFR programs. To learn more about how uAvionix can support your department’s drone integration efforts, visit uAvionix.com today.
uAvionix is an ARPAS-UK Member.
Disclaimer: All jobs posted here are from LinkedIn and other job sites including member and non-member organizations.
Norelo Ltd are looking for a Survey Technician & UAS Pilot
Malloy Aeronautics Ltd are looking to fill a variety of roles:
UAV Pilot, Junior UAV Pilot, Battery Technician & more. Find out more
Vertex Access ishttps://skyrevolutions.co.uk/careers/ looking for a Building Surveyor / Drone Pilot
Sky Revolutions are looking for a Time Lapse Technician and a Land Surveyor.
Overview
The GeoBusiness Trade Show 2024 was a remarkable event, showcasing the latest advancements and innovations in the geospatial industry. ARPAS-UK was proud to have a prominent presence at the show, with a dedicated stall that attracted significant attention from industry professionals and enthusiasts alike. The event provided an excellent platform for our members to network, share knowledge, and demonstrate their expertise. We estimate that a whopping 34/110 exhibitors were drone related or had drones involved in their organisation.
Our Stall
The ARPAS-UK stall was a hub of activity throughout the trade show. We engaged with numerous attendees, discussing the latest trends and developments in the drone industry. The interest in our stall highlighted the growing importance and recognition of ARPAS-UK in the geospatial sector.
Member Participation
Many of our members took the opportunity to present their work and share insights during the trade show. Notable presentations included:
Special Guests and Networking
We were thrilled to welcome several distinguished guests and industry leaders to our stall, fostering valuable connections and collaborations. Some of the notable attendees included:
Several of our associated members and partners had their stands and were exhibitors at the trade show, contributing to the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere:
Our enterprise member ESRI, held a beautiful and centrally located stand that became a focal point of the Expo. Their stand not only highlighted their contributions to the industry but also underscored the importance of geospatial intelligence and innovation.
The GeoBusiness Show 2024 was a tremendous success for ARPAS-UK. Our active participation, engaging stall, and the presence of our esteemed members and guests significantly enhanced our visibility and influence in the geospatial industry. We look forward to continuing these valuable interactions and collaborations in the future, driving innovation and growth within the drone sector.
Thank you to all our members and guests who made this event a success. We eagerly anticipate next year’s GeoBusiness Show and the exciting opportunities it will bring.
June 2024