Protected: Supply of Fixed Wing Drone: Devon & Cornwall Police
SAM IS ....
CAA: Templates for Dangerous Goods Operations for UK aircraft operators
Examples of templates of operations manuals for use by aircraft operators
The following are examples of templates of Operations Manuals for aircraft operators operating in accordance with the EASA Implementing Rules as retained and amended in UK domestic law under the European Union (withdrawal) Act 2018 with and without approval to carry dangerous goods as cargo. Operators should use the template that is appropriate to their operation and complete it according to their company’s procedures, instructions and policies.
A Notice of Proposed Amendment using form SRG 1832 should then be completed and emailed to [email protected].
Aircraft operators must obtain approval from the assigned Dangerous Goods Inspector prior to carrying dangerous goods
Carriage of Dangerous Goods as Cargo for UAS/RPAS
The following are examples of templates of Operations Manuals for RPAS operators operating in accordance with the EASA Implementing Rules as retained and amended in UK domestic law under the European Union (withdrawal) Act 2018 with and without approval to carry dangerous goods as cargo.
Operators should use the template that is appropriate to their operation and complete it according to their company’s procedures, instructions and policies in line with Guidance on the Carriage of Dangerous Goods as Cargo for UAS/RPAS Operators in the Specific Category provided by CAP 2555.
Light Dynamix Partners with Illuminate Drones to Expand Pixel Light Show Drone into US Market
Light Dynamix, a leader in cutting edge drone technology, manufacturing and innovative light show solutions, is thrilled to announce an exclusive licensing agreement with US based Illuminate Drones. This landmark partnership grants Illuminate Drones the exclusive rights to produce and market Light Dynamix’s revolutionary Pixel light show drone across the United States. With Illuminate Drones’ expertise and reach, the Pixel drone is set to dazzle audiences across the US, delivering immersive and unforgettable aerial light displays.
This collaboration is a key milestone in Light Dynamix’s rapid expansion and cements its position as a global innovator in the drone technology and entertainment industries.
Illuminate Drones, a longtime leader in the indoor drone light show space and drone swarm manufacturing, is thrilled to open this partnership with Light Dynamix and bring a top-tier outdoor drone light show system to their growing indoor drone light show solutions.
This partnership comes at a time of unprecedented growth for Light Dynamix, who continue to innovate and expand its portfolio. As Light Dynamix continue to expand, they’re opening the door to select partnerships across the globe for those who share their vision of creating and distributing state of the art drone technology.
If you’re interested in being part of the future of aerial drone light shows, contact Light Dynamix at [email protected]
The United Kingdom’s commercial drone industry, valued at £501 million in 2023, stands at a pivotal juncture. In this paper by Connected Places Catapult “Beyond Sight Behind Barriers”, the authors examine the current state of the UK Drone Industry and what might be holding it back from the next steps of growth. Despite its rapid growth and the nation’s rich aviation heritage, the sector faces significant challenges due to regulatory uncertainties, particularly concerning Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This ambiguity deters investment and hampers the integration of drones into the existing airspace framework. To harness the full economic potential and position the UK as a global leader in drone technology, immediate and decisive action is imperative. Establishing a dedicated task force with clear accountability, government representation, and targeted funding is essential to revitalize momentum and address existing regulatory gaps. Without such measures, the UK risks forfeiting substantial economic opportunities and ceding its competitive edge in the burgeoning global drone market.
This paper explores how the UK’s drone market design and regulation approach is missing key pieces of the puzzle: the current approach relies on many actors attempting to piece together the jigsaw without being able to visualise the final image displayed on the box. New leadership is desperately needed to reset the approach and configure a successful market, which the regulations can then support.
The paper measures the UK Drone Industry against other economic areas employing drones, examines drone traffic management technologies and focuses on the Skyway Case Study, before making concluding recommendations.
Next call for Airspace Modernisation Strategy Proposals is announced by CAA
Airspace Modernisation Strategy Support Fund: Financial support to UK aviation industry stakeholders in modernising UK airspace
The Airspace Modernisation Strategy Support Fund (ASF) is a financial initiative by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) designed to assist UK aviation industry stakeholders in advancing the nation’s airspace modernization efforts. Building upon the previous Future Airspace Strategy Facilitation Fund, the ASF aims to support projects that benefit multiple stakeholders or conduct research facilitating broader industry implementation.
Funding Allocation and Application Process:
The CAA administers the fund through a grant process, with bi-annual calls for project proposals. Funding proposals must align with the overall objectives of the Airspace Modernisation Strategy. Applicants are responsible for engaging with relevant industry stakeholders and presenting an evidence-based business case to the ASF Advisory Board. The Advisory Board reviews and provides feedback before submission to the ASF Decision Board, which includes members from the AMS Assurance Group and airline representatives.
Benefits of Applying:
Financial Support: The ASF offers funding opportunities for projects that align with the Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) objectives, particularly those that cannot secure financing through other means.
Collaborative Engagement: Applicants are encouraged to engage with relevant industry stakeholders, fostering collaboration and ensuring comprehensive support for proposed initiatives.
Structured Application Process: The CAA administers the fund through a grant process, with bi-annual calls for project proposals. This structured approach provides applicants with clear timelines and procedures for submission and evaluation.
By participating in the ASF, organizations can contribute to the UK’s airspace modernization, leading to enhanced safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability in aviation operations.
CAA updates CAP 722D: UAS Ops in UK Airspace – Abbreviations and Master Glossary
This is the fourth edition of CAP 722D: UAS Operations in UK Airspace – Abbreviations and Master Glossary. It is a full document review and update.
Aim CAP 722D is the abbreviations list and glossary of terms and for all documents in the CAP 722 series and is the single source of reference. This document also contains additional abbreviations and terms that may be useful for the UAS Regulated Community. This document does not replace definitions and abbreviations contained in relevant UAS Regulations.
Content The terminology relating to UAS operations continues to evolve and therefore the abbreviations and glossary of terms sections are not exhaustive. Terms and definitions in this document are drawn from a combination of applicable UAS regulation, emerging ICAO definitions, EASA and other ‘common use’ terms which are considered to be acceptable alternatives. Where possible, a reference has been provided, in italics below the definition.
DCRO White Paper on The Probability of a UAS Flyaway
The Dutch Association of Certified RPAS Operators (DCRO) conducted an industry study to challenge the assumptions in the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) 2.5 framework regarding the probability of a UAS flyaway. Based on real-world data, DCRO argues that the risk of a flyaway is significantly lower than currently estimated by regulators.
Current Assumptions Are Overestimated:
SORA 2.5 assumes that a UAS will leave its operational volume once in 1,000 flight hours and experience a flyaway once in 10,000 flight hours.
DCRO’s data suggests the actual probability is 100 times lower, with a UAS leaving its operational area around 1 in 100,000 flight hours and a flyaway occurring in 1 in 1,000,000 flight hours.
Data Sources & Methodology:
Data was collected from 37 DCRO member companies, four major foreign operators, and DJI (for enterprise models).
The dataset spans from 2011 to 2023, covering 1.4 million flight hours.
Only one confirmed flyaway was recorded in the dataset, equating to a probability of 1.41e-6.
DJI provided model-specific data, confirming an average probability of 1.75e-5 for a UAS leaving its operational volume.
Professional Operators vs. Hobbyists:
The study focuses on professional drone operators who follow strict operational procedures and maintenance protocols.
The findings do not apply to recreational or non-certified operators, where the probability of incidents is likely higher.
Regulatory Concerns
Overly Conservative Containment Measures:
The ground risk buffer under SORA 2.5 is considered excessive for professional operators.
Flight Termination Systems (FTS), often required for containment, may increase safety risks due to malfunctions, potentially leading to uncontrolled crashes.
Lack of Industry-Wide Data Collection:
Currently, no European regulatory authority systematically collects UAS safety data.
DCRO calls for mandatory, standardized data collection across EU member states.
Recommendations
Improve Data Collection:
EASA and national CAAs should establish uniform reporting standards for UAS incidents.
Data should include not only flyaways but also crashes, technical failures, and human errors.
Adjust Containment Requirements:
Given the extremely low probability of a flyaway, the current SORA containment framework should be revised.
Flight Termination Systems should not be mandated for professional operators in the Specific Category.
Conclusion
The probability of a UAS flyaway is significantly lower than what regulators assume. The current SORA 2.5 containment rules create unnecessary burdens for professional operators without a corresponding safety benefit. DCRO urges regulatory changes to align risk assessments with real-world data.
