FLY SMART, FLY SAFE
ARPAS-UK strengthens the executive team to support growth of the commercial drone sectors and to realise Government-backed research that predicts drones could contribute an additional £42 billion in economic growth and 650,000 potential new jobs by 2030.
The UK’s drone association ARPAS-UK has announced new Directors, Chair, and CEO in a move to support the UK’s fast-developing commercial drone sector, across a spectrum of industry applications. The appointments include Aleks Kowalski and Chris Daniels as new directors. In addition, new roles to support the industry focus on growth and further develop ARPAS-UK are as follows:
Aleks Kowalski has joined the ARPAS-UK board of directors. Aleks looks at the longer-term strategic importance for ARPAS in bringing together all UAS pilots, large and small, and the ecosystems around them.
Chris Daniels has joined the ARPAS-UK board of directors. Chris is a strategic advisor on commercialising start-ups and scale-ups, focused on aerospace & defence and Machine Learning and Big Data Tech.
Graham Brown, Chairman:
“This is an exciting time for the drone sector in the UK, and pivotal in terms of not only changing the way that safe working practices and efficiencies can be introduced across a range of industry sectors, but also provides an opportunity for operators and service providers to help shape the future of our sector. I’m confident that ARPAS-UK is best placed to play a central role in accelerating the safe use of drones across multiple industries and developing profitable businesses in the UK commercial drone sector.”
Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO:
“I am thrilled to take on the position of ARPAS-UK CEO and look forward to supporting our members and the drone community. The benefits of drones as a powerful tool to digitise from the air are more and more recognised by the professionals and the public. At the same time, we are on a journey. We still have much to do to unlock the full potential of drones and its many potential applications. As a membership organisation, our key word is Engagement, with our members, with the CAA, and with the broader ecosystem, so that we can reach that potential together.”
About ARPAS-UK:
ARPAS-UK is the industry and professional body focused on representing the UK drone community. Founded in 2013, ARPAS-UK, supports members from start-up businesses to larger established operations, operators, manufacturers, software and service companies through promotion of innovation and best practice..
On behalf of its members, ARPAS-UK works closely with:
The Association works in the public interest, and advocates professionalism within its membership through compliance with an agreed Code of Conduct and the holding of appropriate permissions
For further information contact: [email protected]
3 October 2022
| Mark Wharry, the GA & RPAS Safety and Oversight Manager with the Civil Aviation Authority, shared his perspective on the UK RPAS regulatory landscape. |
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| – 7000 operators in the specific category, with an Operational Authorisation OA – 600 000 registered operators in the Open and Specific categories – The GA and RPAS Safety & Oversight team grew significantly. The RPAS sector team now includes 11 inspectors and 5 surveyors. The team works in close relationship with the Innovation Team and the Rapid Capability Office. – The UK SORA Specific Operations’ Risk Assessment (SORA), expected for March 2023, is the key policy development target. – Also: a simplified version of the Open category vs Europe, for example by limiting the number of Classes of drones – currently 7, from C0 to C6 in the EASA framework – – Also: the scalability of the specific category requirements depending on operations’ complexity, including pilot qualifications and the ability for RAE to deliver more complex qualifications. The UK SORA will from part of the Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM) to UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947. Moving forward, the AMC & GM document will replace a significant proportion of what is currently contained within the CAP 722 series. It is therefore an important piece of regulation for all drone operators, especially in the specific category. ALS |
DroneX invite: UK RPAS – The Regulator’s Perspective As the UK RPAS industry develops and grows, the Civil Aviation Authority has the dual remit of ensuring it does so safely, while proactively and directly enabling the innovation the sector is known for. With technological change and development happening at a rapid pace, what is the safety regulator’s view on how to balance these requirements, integrate with traditional aviation, and truly open up the UK’s skies? Bio: Mark Wharry was an RAF fast jet pilot and instructor for almost 20 years, flying combat missions in the Tornado GR4. Later, he flew the MQ-9 Reaper RPAS, training alongside the US Air Force before completing over 1000 operational hours in support of Operations HERRICK and SHADER. As an experienced instructor, he served as Officer Commanding Reaper Standards and Evaluation, with responsibility for ensuring the combat readiness of the RAF’s MQ-9 Force. He was the first pilot to be rated as an ‘A’ grade instructor on any RPAS, and the first accredited Central Flying School Examiner on an uncrewed platform. He is the CAA’s most experienced RPAS pilot and is now the Safety and Oversight Manager for General Aviation and RPAS, leading teams of inspectors and surveyors who handle all external oversight for both communities. He is an MBA student and loves flying in all its forms. |
| For more information, please connect to DroneX website: https://www.dronexpo.co.uk/speakers/mark-wharry/ |
We were delighted to meet so many members and key stakeholders, and to share our stand with a few members as well: Richard Gill of Drone Defence, Toby Townrow of Dronevolution and Chris Crockford of Electric Aviation. It was fantastic to see the interaction between them and other exhibitors and visitors, as well as being able to introduce a number of people to them.
This was the 2nd year of the UK’s only commercial UAV show, and focussed on The Future of Flight, Military & Defence, Emergency Services and the Commercial Sector.
With over 300 exhibitors and presentations, and positioned alongside Helitech, there was a wide variety of options for the visitor. Talks ranged from the Civil Aviation’s Mark Wharry on The Regulator’s Perspective (see our separate article on this keynote), PwC’s Craig Roberts on The Economic Impact of Drones on the UK Economy, to Inmarsat’s panel on Drone Deliveries: For the Good of our Health were fascinating, Thales’s Neil Watson on Accelerating the Adoption of Drone Services at Scale in the UK and Fraser Nash & The Thunderbird Project’s Stuart Keenan & Alan Bell on Priority Access to the Skies for Emergency Life-Saving Drones.
Now-Chair of ARPAS-UK, Graham Brown, spoke alongside Gordon Baker, the DfT’s Autonomous Systems Lead on Achieving the UK’s Drone Ambition and Some Steps to Achieve the Potential. If you would like a copy of this, please contact us.
There was a definite feel that the industry has become more well established, more mature and that it is being listened to by serious people. Where does the Show need to go from this solid position?
There are two complementary routes: one is to attract even more drone data end-users, i.e. industries using drones, to show how drones can help them deliver faster, safer, cheaper and more digital operations; the other is to attract (back?) the drone operators, for example by building on their professionalism via CPD sessions at the show. Sessions on different types of software, how to apply for an OSC, marketing your company, the importance of networking, the ins & outs of different types of work, how to go about finding work and how to apply for big contracts etc.
The team supporting DroneX have been very enthusiastic and supportive of the industry. They know our thoughts and we hope we will see this now being acted on.
If you would like to share your thoughts on how DroneX could evolve, please contact us [email protected].
Exhibiting at DroneX 2023: 26-27 September 2023, London
12 September 2022
DroneX takes place this year on September 7-8th at Excel, London.
ARPAS-UK is proud to be the headline partner of the show, alongside Air Ambulances UK. The show is co-located with Helitech. There will be over 300 exhibitors and 150 seminars.
Graham Brown, ARPAS-UK CEO, and Gordon Baker, of the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy
Wednesday 7th September at 1.15pm & Thursday 8th September at 2pm: Keynote Theatre
Robert Courts, Aviation Minister at the Department for Transport
Wednesday 7th September at 4pm: Keynote Theatre, Helitech (co-located with DroneX)
Other presentations of particular note to keep an eye out for:
Wednesday 7th September
Thursday 8th September 2022
The ARPAS-UK stand is D60. Please do come by and say hello. We would be delighted to meet you.
BVLOS Operations Forum unites innovators to unlock the next generation of aviation
Pioneering companies in the emerging uncrewed aviation industry have joined forces in a forum established by air traffic control leader NATS, to break through the barriers to the UK industry’s development.
The BVLOS Operations Forum, which includes the UK’s leading beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operators, brings together organisations at the cutting edge of uncrewed flight to learn from each other’s experiences, collectively improve their operations, and jointly develop solutions to the challenges faced by this fast-growing industry.
The ever-increasing number of operators believe there are huge potential benefits to achieving routine BVLOS flights – including increased connectivity, decarbonisation, and economic opportunities for all parts of the country. Because innovation in this sector has moved so quickly, regulations have not yet caught up, meaning BVLOS flights are still restricted to specific areas.
Some progress has been achieved and the Forum has actively supported recent policy initiatives which set out a positive direction from the Government and the regulator. However, operators are still operating in restricted spaces. While these have allowed the sector to hone operations and develop real opportunities for BVLOS services, many operators, including members of the BVLOS Operations Forum, have now outgrown the available capacity and the constraints are posing a genuine challenge to their business model. Looking for ways to address that, while encouraging ever-increasing safety standards, is the central mission of the Forum.
The BVLOS Operations Forum has given those seeking to operate uncrewed aircraft beyond-visual-line-of-sight a platform to work together, and a means for driving change and establishing a safe and workable regulatory regime that will benefit the industry as a whole.
This method of working together has been used by traditional airspace operators for many years and has contributed to the robust safety culture that exists today. By uniting uncrewed operators with extensive experience and equally extensive ambition we can develop a similarly robust safety culture, and collectively plot a course toward safely integrated BVLOS operations.
Russell Porter, Head of UTM Programmes at NATS and Chair of the BVLOS Operations Forum.
The founding members of the Forum include ARPAS-UK, Blue Bear, Callen Lenz, Flylogix, Maritime & Coastguard Agency, NATS, Network Rail, sees.ai, Skyports and Windracers, all of whom are actively involved in developing BVLOS operations, and some of whom are already operating BVLOS flights commercially.
The shared goal is to achieve routine BVLOS operations, outside of restricted areas and integrated with other traffic, making uncrewed aircraft a safe and effective option in the aeronautical toolbox.
NOTE TO EDITORS:
For more information about the BVLOS Operations Forum please contact [email protected]. For more information about individual Forum members please use the details below.
About ARPAS-UK
ARPAS-UK is the only non-profit industry trade association and professional body, focused on the development of the UK drone community. Founded in 2013, ARPAS supports members from start-up businesses to larger established operators, manufacturers, software providers and service companies, through promotion of innovation and best practice.
ARPAS works in the public interest, and advocates professionalism within its membership through compliance with an agreed Code of Conduct and the holding of appropriate permissions. The Association takes progressive stances on national issues to embed the drone profession in all end-user industries, to enable it to continue to grow in reputation and influence
CONTACT: Rupert Dent, [email protected] / 07989 300918 or Aleks Kowalski, [email protected] / 07971 447407
About Blue Bear
Blue Bear are pioneers of autonomy and unmanned systems; evolving unmanned concepts, regardless of size, at a pace unmatched by other organisations. We deliver efficient solutions, professional services and commercial results, supporting both military and civil markets worldwide, with unmatched pace, agility, passion and innovation. Blue Bear’s track record in innovative research and flight test has won us several awards and a prime position in the domain of UAV development.
Blue Bear are designing future aircraft systems, including an all-electric propulsion module, accelerating the electrification of various classes of electric aircraft and leading a consortium developing and building an affordable, sub-regional aviation network that is zero carbon, highly automated and centrally focused on customer experience.
CONTACT: Lee Tomas, [email protected] / 01234 826620
About Callen Lenz
Callen-Lenz is a UK market leader for innovative technology solutions and complementary technical consultancy, for manned and unmanned aviation. Harnessing the latest, state-of-the-art technologies enables the company to create ground-breaking technological aerospace solutions and aerospace technology, for unmanned systems that require high levels of functionality, availability and safety. Outputs include bespoke aircraft, rapid prototyping, upgrades, software, avionics and technical services. Callen-Lenz is a sovereign British company with a number of international partners.
CONTACT: Piers Hankinson, 01722 744946
About Flylogix
Flylogix is a UK company pioneering new sustainable ways for companies to use unmanned aviation for missions and logistics without hindrance (human, weather, location) and with the least harm to the planet. Its advanced engineering combines next-generation technology with tough, small unmanned craft that can fly to the most remote locations, up to 500 km beyond the horizon, in some of the world’s harshest weather conditions. Flylogix services are in operation with leading global partners from the energy industries to support them to accurately measure methane emissions and with emergency response services such as Oil Spill Response Ltd (OSRL) working to reduce the cost and risk of global spill response.
CONTACT: Chris Adams, [email protected] / 07779 696833
About Maritime & Coastguard Agency
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is a frontline emergency response agency of the Department for Transport. As well as delivering maritime search and rescue through HM Coastguard (one of the four UK emergency services), the MCA is responsible for maritime regulation, safety and counter-pollution.
For further information about this or any MCA news story, please contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office on 020381 72222 or [email protected]. You can also find us on hmcoastguard.blogspot.co.uk and on Twitter @MCA_media.
About NATS
NATS is the UK’s principal air navigation services provider and is split into two main businesses, which provide two distinct services:
NATS is alive to the opportunities that new airspace users present for airspace in the future and has worked closely with early innovators. Safety is always our number one priority, and we are working with increasing intensity to support the growth of this exciting new industry by safely integrating new users into a sustainable, modernised and fully integrated airspace.
For more information visit the NATS website at www.nats.aero
CONTACT: Press Office, [email protected] / 01489 445699
About Network Rail
Network Rail owns, operates and develops Britain’s railway infrastructure. That’s 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We manage 20 of the UK’s largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are managed by the country’s train operating companies.
We exist to get people and goods where they need to be and to support our country’s economic prosperity, by running a safe, reliable and efficient railway, serving customers and communities.
For more information visit Network Rail website at https://www.networkrail.co.uk/
CONTACT: Jack Harvey, [email protected]
About sees.ai
sees.ai has developed a semi-autonomous drone inspection system that enables national
scale drone operations to be piloted and managed from a central location. This technology
removes the requirement for skilled pilots to travel to the inspection site and as a result,
dramatically increases the scalability of drone operations whilst maintaining the highest
standards of quality and safety. The system is particularly well suited to detailed drone
inspection and survey of industrial assets and infrastructure, where it is necessary to get
close to the asset in hazardous environments. It simultaneously captures both 2D and 3D
information (digital twin), dramatically improving the ability to automate analysis, reducing
time and cost of inspection and maintenance.
Inspired by the team’s backgrounds in Formula 1, sees.ai uses advanced telemetry,
diagnostics, analytics and simulation tools to make it possible to safely deliver this capability
at national scale. The company was an early participant in the Civil Aviation Authority’s
(CAA) Regulatory Sandbox. The company currently holds the most advanced BVLOS
permission ever given by the CAA.
For more information visit the sees.ai website at: https://www.sees.ai/
CONTACT: Amanda Prosser, [email protected] / +44 7792 108193
About Skyports
Skyports Drone Services is an industry leading drone operator. The company is expert in the operation of Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) and autonomous flight for a multitude of use cases, including ship-to-shore and maritime applications, medical and dangerous goods deliveries, survey and monitoring operations. In addition to pioneering operations, Skyports Drone Services plays a key role in the development of the regulatory ecosystem for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Skyports Drone Services is a business division of Skyports. Formed in 2018, Skyports is driven by a vision to enable society to enjoy a safer, happier, wealthier existence by improving connectivity to people and goods through the provision of AAM infrastructure and drone services, whilst protecting the planet for future generations.
Find out more at: skyportsdroneservices.com
CONTACT: Maggie Mullan, [email protected] / +44 (0) 7946 090585
About Windracers
The middle mile of supply and logistics, especially to remote locations, has long been overlooked by the industry and is ripe for innovation. Windracers spent the last five years developing the most commercially viable logistics drones to enable the transport of goods and essential supplies to remote regions around the UK and beyond. The company specialises in all aspects of the value chain, including R&D, manufacturing, and operations. The team has extensive expertise in working with the CAA, and as such has been allowed to operate BVLOS point-to-point flights in over 10 locations in the UK.
CONTACT: [email protected]
28 July 2022
We are pleased to announce that Stuart Keenan has recently taken on the role of Chairman of ARPAS-UK.
Stuart is excited and proud to take on this strategic leadership role for the trade body for the UAS industry in the UK, and is keen to continue the work of his predecessors in promoting drone professionalism and drones for good. Stuart expects to steer the direction of the association to more keenly focus activity in the key areas of interest to our membership:
In his ‘day job’ Stuart is Head of the UAS Centre of Excellence for Frazer-Nash Consultancy and helps organisations to make the most of drones. Stuart is a CAA qualified SUAS pilot, and the SUAS Accountable Manager for his company, as well as being the UAS technical expert for safety and regulation. Under Stuart’s leadership, the Frazer-Nash drone business has grown in under 5 years from very little to a turnover of £multi-millions, and he is now leading activity to allow Frazer-Nash’s expertise to benefit the exciting growth area of UAM. Stuart has a background in aviation safety, developed during his 16-year career as an RAF engineer officer, and he is a chartered engineer and a Member of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Stuart takes over from our previous Chairman, Gavin Wishart, who stepped down from the role in January 2021 and who sadly passed away a few months later.
It is with great sadness that the Directors of ARPAS-UK would like to inform the membership of the death of Gavin Wishart, our previous Chairman (2018-20).
He was a graduate of Edinburgh, Loughborough and Kings College Universities in Engineering and Defence Studies. He was an Engineering Officer, serving 26 years with the RAF, retiring as a Group Captain. He went on to work for Qinetiq, and founded his own businesses, including Aviation Systems Group Ltd. It was through ASG that he came across ARPAS-UK, joined and went on to stand for election to Chairman in the great snowy AGM of March 2018. He remained Chairman until December 2020 when ill health forced him to step down.
As Chairman he championed the UK drone industry and in particular the ARPAS-UK Membership in discussions with stakeholders at all levels. He engaged with people at trade shows, as well as the media, always prepared to talk, be positive about the drone industry and negotiate on the industry’s behalf. He continued to engage and interact with the aviation and drone communities until very shortly before his death.
Gavin always had a smile on his face, enjoyed building his own projects, was interested in all he undertook and was a great person to work with and for.
Gavin died peacefully, surrounded by his family. Our thoughts go out to Joanna, his wife, and their three children.
Gavin Wishart 1958-2021
Taking place on the 28th and 29th of April, COPTRZ CON will be hosting over 15 events including live talks with industry leaders from the likes of DJI, Wingtra, Flyability, EDF Energy, ARPAS and so many more.
Commercial drone experts Coptrz are proud to be hosting the first ever digital drone event. Hosted over 2 days, attendees will be able to join wherever they are and access the expert knowledge of speakers at COPTRZ CON. The digital event will showcase a range of different drone applications across several sectors – including public safety, inspection, surveying and more!
This years line-up has been curated with attendees in mind – with live product demonstrations, webinars with industry giants and there will be the chance for viewers to ask questions directly to drone operators from across the globe. There will be speakers from DJI, EDF Energy, Project Seagrass, Lorenz Technology and many more.
Steve Blair, Sales Manager at Coptrz, commented: “We cannot wait to bring all the leaders from all sections of the drone industry together for COPTRZ CON. We are so excited to be the first in the industry to host a digital drone demonstration event. I am looking forward to hearing (and getting involved with) the debates from all the sections, and I wonder who will come out on top.”
In addition to live webinars with industry leaders, there will be an awards ceremony in partnership with Airwards, the first ever drone awards programme. There will be a great variety of different sectors and industries from all over the world represented in the awards show. The judges will be looking for people or organisations who have lived up to the Coptrz GOLD values and have demonstrated a case study of using drones for good purposes.
Richard Nichols, founder of Airwards, commented: “After the success of the first ever drone awards programme earlier this year, we are so proud to be collaborating with Coptrz to shine a light on even more people doing amazing things in the drone industry. We are excited to be able to showcase the work of people working across a range of sectors including inspection, surveying and even those using drones for unique things like performing search missions for lost dogs!”
COPTRZ CON is committed to making drone technology accessible for everyone, and there has never been an easier way to join the pioneers of the drone industry in their mission to revolutionise organisations using drones. If you want to get your free ticket, you can find out more information here: https://coptrzcon.com/
12th April 2021
