FLY SMART, FLY SAFE
The CAA (UK Civil Aviation Authority) has published a new Safety Notice (SN-2025/004) regarding UAS software and firmware updates.
This notice is relevant to all UAS operators and remote pilots. Ensuring compliance with software and firmware updates is essential for maintaining the safety, reliability, and airworthiness of UAS operations.
Operators in the Specific Category are strongly advised to implement the recommendations outlined in the Safety Notice as part of their Operating Manual procedures.
This Safety Notice serves as a reminder that UAS operators and remote pilots are responsible for ensuring that software and firmware updates are carried out when required by the manufacturer or as per approved maintenance procedures.
6 March 2025
The CAA has released CAP722J: Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – Recognised Assessment Entity for Flightworthiness (RAE-F) – 6 March 2025.
This is essential reading for any entity that is, or intends to become, a Recognised Assessment Entity for Flightworthiness (RAE-F), providing comprehensive details on the requirements, administrative processes, instructions, and guidance for operating as an RAE(F) within the UK.
CAP722J, along with the SAIL Mark Policy (CAP722K), outlines the technical assessments conducted by an RAE(F).
The policy should be used alongside the UK Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA), as detailed in the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM) to Article 11 of Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2019/947.
To access CAP722J and ensure compliance with the latest standards, visit the CAA website.
6 March 2025
Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – SAIL Mark Policy Concept
The CAA (UK Civil Aviation Authority) has published a new SAIL Mark Policy Concept as of 6th March 2025.
This policy is outlined in CAP 722K: “Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – SAIL Mark”, which is intended for UAS designers and Recognised Assessment Entities for Flightworthiness (RAE(F)).
It provides the requirements, administrative processes, and guidance for the delivery of a Specific Assurance and Integrity Level (SAIL) Mark certificate, for a UAS to be operated within the Specific Category in the UK.
While CAP 722K is available for immediate use, it remains a Policy Concept, meaning certain elements may be refined over time. As this is a new process, the CAA will be actively collaborating with industry over the time to assess its implementation, gather insights on its use, and identify areas where additional or refined guidance may be needed.
6 March 2025
In honour of International Women’s Day, we celebrate the incredible achievements of women in industries that have historically been male-dominated — one of which is the drone industry. Women have made remarkable strides, breaking barriers and leading innovation in a field that is reshaping the world: Women in Drones.
In the UK, there are inspiring women making significant contributions across drone technology, piloting, policy-making, and more. Their work not only impacts the drone industry but also serves as a beacon for other women to pursue careers in tech, aerospace, and engineering. Here are 10 women who are helping to shape the future of drones and inspiring the next generation.
Head of Lowland Rescue Drone Search Department | Drone Lead at Leicestershire Search and Rescue | GIS and Data Manager & Drone Pilot at Forestry England
UAV Equipment Engineer – Programme Lead at Sellafield Ltd
UAV Survey Manager & Principal Land Surveyor MCInstCES at WSP in the UK
Director – CAA Future Flight Programme & Head of Future Safety & Innovation, previously Head of General Aviation & RPAS
Freelance at Kaiser Media: Drone Pilot, Trainer & Educator
Principal Consultant in UAS at Frazer-Nash Consultancy
CEO of Iprosurv & STEM Ambassador
Head of Services, Built Environment at Vantage UAV
Regulatory Lead at Windracers
Aviation Safety & Compliance Manager | Expert in Airspace Management & Airspace Change | Proven Leader in Aviation Regulations
Director & CEO of ARPAS-UK, & Partner at The Drone Office
Director at ARPAS-UK, & Senior Consultant at Ebeni
Head of Membership & Operations at ARPAS-UK, Masters Student in Uncrewed Systems at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Membership & Engagement with ARPAS-UK
The contributions of these women demonstrate that gender is not a barrier to success in the drone industry. But there is still work to be done to ensure equal representation and opportunities for women. Companies, organisations, and industry leaders must actively support women in the industry by promoting diversity, offering mentorship, and creating spaces where women can thrive.
Supporting women in the drone sector is not just about closing the gender gap; it’s about fostering innovation. Diverse teams bring unique perspectives, resulting in better problem-solving and more creative solutions. As the drone industry continues to grow, the need for diverse voices will only become more critical.
If you are a woman thinking about pursuing a career in drones or technology, look to the inspiring women above as role models. With the right mindset and support, there is nothing standing in the way of your success. It’s time to break the mold and contribute to the exciting future of drones!
Together, we can make the drone industry a place where women not only have a seat at the table but can lead, innovate, and inspire future generations.
1 – Sign The Women in Aviation and Aerospace Charter. ARPAS-UK is a supporting signatory. The website has a great Resource Hub.
2 – ALTA is a mentoring platform for women in the aviation and aerospace industry, run by the Royal Aeronautical Society. Join as a mentor or mentee.
3 – Let’s keep pushing for change and encourage more women to join the drone revolution. Happy International Women’s Day!
8 March 2025
Omnidrome Research & Innovation Centre at Royal Holloway welcomes drone industry partners by offering a dedicated facility for indoor and outdoor drone testing, as well as a venue for training providers to host on-site programmes. The centre also supports advanced R&D, education, and knowledge exchange in drones, robotics, and autonomous vehicles across air, land, and water.
The Omnidrome features a purpose-built indoor hangar (25m x 35m x 10m), providing a controlled environment for testing experimental drones and robotics. Planned upgrades include a camera tracking system for flight analytics and indoor GPS signal repeaters. The Centre has a diverse range of aerial drones, tracked and wheeled robots, floating and submersible systems, and an array of advanced sensors, robotics and supporting equipment.
It is also home to the Pixkit autonomous vehicle development platform, the only one of its kind in the UK. The centre has a specialised support vehicle for transporting drone and robotic equipment, doubling as a mobile command and operations centre.
Omnidrome brings together specialists in drone technology, AI, cybersecurity, and geospatial analysis of natural and man-made environments. The Centre is welcoming opportunities to explore partnerships with academia, government, and industry, including joint research bids, Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, and student project opportunities addressing real-world challenges and implementations.
Located at Royal Holloway, University of London, Omnidrome is easily accessible – just 40 minutes by train from central London and seven miles from Heathrow Airport, with excellent road connections for convenient travel.
Download the Omnidrome Leaflet here & Visit the Omnidrome Research & Innovation Centre at Royal Holloway here
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Member Success Stories & Blogs
5 March 2025
Join CEO Anne-Lise Scaillierez and Rupert Dent, Director of ARPAS-UK for our Fireside Chat 02. In this episode, Anne-Lise and Rupert discuss the UK SORA published by the CAA, on the 3 March 2025.
Watch the Fireside Chat 02 below and remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and hit the notification bell! Alternatively, listen to this new update on Spotify.
4 March 2025
The CAA has published the ORS9 decision, ORS9 CAA Decision No.46, setting out the UK Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA) as Acceptable Means of Compliance to UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 Article 11. This will become effective on 23 April 2025, and be updated in the Regulatory Library shortly.
The CAA has also published new Remote Pilot Competence standards as AMC, and an update to CAP722B.
Find out more on their website about SORA.
UK SORA: The CAA has developed the UK Specific Operation Risk Assessment (UK SORA) methodology to enable UAS operators to comply with the requirements for conducting an operational risk assessment set out in the UAS Regulation (UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947). New expanded AMC on remote pilot competence has been developed to support remote pilot training and progression for increasingly complex UAS operations.
Remote Pilot Competence – CAP 722B: This revision has been issued to introduce Entity requirements for applications in relation to the new remote pilot competence scheme introduced as Acceptable Means of Compliance to Article 8 of the UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947. In addition, new requirements, and guidance material regarding the use of Flight Simulator Training Devices (FSTD) has been provided. To improve clarity, this document has been restructured to include specific requirements, means of compliance (if applicable), and guidance material sections.
Watch the ARPAS-UK Fireside Chat on UK SORA
3 March 2025
The CAA (UK Civil Aviation Authority) published version 5 of CAP 722B on 3 March 2025 – “Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – The UK Recognised Assessment Entity.”
The document outlines the requirements, administrative processes, instructions, and guidance for entities currently approved as RAEs or those wishing to attain such approval within the United Kingdom.
Key updates in this edition include the introduction of requirements for applications related to the new remote pilot competence scheme, as specified in the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) to Article 8 of UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947. Additionally, the document provides new requirements and guidance material concerning the use of Flight Simulator Training Devices (FSTD) for remote pilot competence training.
The document has been restructured to enhance clarity, featuring specific requirements, means of compliance (if applicable), and guidance material sections.
For comprehensive details, please refer to the full CAP 722B document available on the CAA website.
3 March 2025
BSI has released the Future Flight Standards Roadmap Report, a key resource designed to support the growth and industrialisation of future flight in the UK.
Developed in collaboration with industry, government, and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the report outlines standardisation recommendations for UAS and eVTOL pathways to meet the evolving needs of the sector.
Report content includes:
The Future Flight Standards Hub also features an interactive roadmap, allowing exploration of the two pathways in more detail.
Read the full report
Read more future facing topics at ARPAS-UK
3 March 2025