ARPAS-UK - ARPAS UK

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CAA Safety Notice SN-2025/004: UAS Software & Firmware Updates

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.

Read the Safety Notice PDF

6 March 2025

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CAP722K SAIL Mark Policy for UAS Designers & RAE(F)

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.

For more details, read the Policy Release here

6 March 2025

More on Regulatory Matters here

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CAP722J: Guidance for (RAE-F) in UK Airspace – Requirements & Approval Process

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.

Read the CAP722J Guidance Document

6 March 2025

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Omnidrome Research & Innovation Centre at Royal Holloway – Welcoming Drone Industry Partners

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

Read more on:

Member Success Stories & Blogs

Drones in Academia

5 March 2025

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Fireside Chat 02 | UK Drone Regulation Update – 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.

Read the CAA UK SORA here

Read more Regulation content

4 March 2025

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CAP 722B, ed 5, UK SORA & Remote Pilot Competency AMC/GM announced by CAA

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

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CAA Rev5 of 722B: Updated Guidance for Recognised Assessment Entities (RAE(PC))

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.

Read the Full CAP 722B Document here

3 March 2025

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BSI Report – Future Flight Standards Roadmap

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:

8 key takeaways summarising lessons learned from the BSI Future Flight Standards Programme and Roadmap development.
Themes and considerations driving the need for standards, including the Future Flight Industry Group (FFIG) action plan and emerging regulation.
A forward-looking plan for standardisation recommendations aligned with the UK’s strategic objectives.
Clarification on standards vs. regulations, explaining how they support each other.

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

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Protected: Virtual Roundtable – Drone Sector in India | 26 March

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Westcott Drone Test & Development Centre (DTDC) Expands for UK Drone Innovation

The Westcott Drone Test and Development Centre (DTDC), launched in 2023 by the Satellite Applications Catapult, is undergoing a significant upgrade to enhance its capacity and capabilities.

These improvements will enable drone companies to test their products and solutions at earlier stages of development within a safe and controlled environment.

Backed by £1.4 million in funding from the Buckinghamshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) – now managed by the Buckinghamshire Growth Board – the upgrades will allow the DTDC to support a wider range of drone companies and accelerate the market readiness of innovative solutions.

The expansion reflects the increasing demand for drone operations, supporting both UK and global flight operations. As part of Westcott’s commitment to innovation, the DTDC aims to develop world-class drone services and reinforce Buckinghamshire’s position as a leader in drone and space technology.

Key Facility Upgrades Include

Drone cage flight enclosure
Tethered drone testing area
Multipurpose drone platform
Expanded workshop spaces
Sensor test ranges
Drone Training Academy

Buckinghamshire Council Leader Martin Tett highlighted the centre’s role in shaping the future of private and commercial aviation, reinforcing the county’s position as a global hub for drone technology. Richard Lowe, Chief Technology Officer of Satellite Applications Catapult, emphasised that the upgrades would provide additional support for companies developing next-generation drone technology, particularly in safe testing environments.

Located on a former RAF base, the DTDC offers a 270m runway, four landing pads for vertical, or vertical to horizontal take-off, and multiple real-world flying areas. Future developments include the integration of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities, further advancing the UK’s drone ecosystem.

Read more here on DTDC’s news here

28 February 2025