As part of the Specific Operation Risk Assessment (SORA) framework for Remote Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) operations in the specific category, the Civil Aviation Authority have considered the Cyber Safety Extension which was published as part of JARUS SORA 2.5 and produced this guidance for operators.
Read more:
16 April 2025
We’re delighted that we’ll be seeing you all at this year’s event at Cranfield University, taking place on the 29th April, starting at 1100 and closing of doors at 1800.
Following the AGM in the morning, then lunch and networking, the Annual Conference will include talks and discussions across key industry themes. We’ll hear from end-users and sector leaders on market adoption, with speakers including Sellafield Ltd and Esri UK, followed by policy and regulation from the DfT and CAA, and sessions on innovation and airspace.
MARKET ADOPTION & END-USERS’ FEEDBACK
INNOVATION & AIRSPACE
GOVERNMENT POLICY & REGULATION
Interactive SLIDO will be run during the day to gather your views and questions
AGENDA
1100: Pre AGM & Networking
1130: AGM – Members Only
1200: Lunch
1300-1730: Annual Conference – Breaks & Networking
1800: Close of Event
Read the full Agenda here
LOCATION
Stafford Cripps 2 – 1st Floor (Grid 3D)
Central Ave – Cranfield
Wharley End – Bedford MK43 0AL
Interactive Map
What3Words: ///dearest.skins.prepped
Find on Google Maps
Train Stations: Milton Keynes Central and Bedford
PARKING & PERMITS
If you are driving to the event, specific parking has been allocated to attendees:
AIRC car park (grid 5D of campus map)(Google Maps)
Please download, print the Parking Permit in advance, enter your vehicle registration and display the permit inside your windscreen.
(Approx 0.3 miles / 7 min walk to Stafford Cripps building)
If you have any queries, please feel free to contact [email protected]
10 April 2025
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released its inaugural Test and Evaluation (T&E) Annual Report for 2024–2025, marking a significant step in advancing aviation innovation within the UK. The report highlights the T&E Team’s efforts in facilitating safe, efficient, and data-driven test flights, aligning with national initiatives like the Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS), UKRI Future Flight Challenge, and the Department for Transport’s Future Flight Industry programme.
Established a year ago, the T&E Team aims to support the CAA’s mission by enabling test flights in integrated airspace. Their work centers on three strategic priorities:
Over the past year, the T&E Team has made significant strides in facilitating test and evaluation activities, gathering critical data, and streamlining regulatory processes to enhance efficiency. Their collaborative approach with industry stakeholders has been fundamental in enabling data-driven decision-making within the CAA. Data collected from operations is being used to refine policy concepts and will facilitate progress in key areas such as DAA and UAS Traffic Management (UTM), which are critical to scaled integrated UAS operations in the future.
The T&E Team plans to continue refining its approach, strengthening collaboration with industry, and leveraging insights from testing activities to shape future policy and regulatory frameworks. By enhancing the UK’s ability to support aviation innovation while maintaining the highest safety standards, the T&E function is poised to play a crucial role in the evolution of the UK’s airspace and aviation capabilities.
Read more:
15 April 2025
The CAA’s Strategy for Regulating AI in Aerospace aims to enable the sector to benefit from this transformative technology.
The CAA is inviting stakeholders to provide their insights on the AI use cases being explored across the aerospace sector, to help shape regulatory requirements for the safe deployment of AI and advanced automation in aerospace.
Through this survey, the CAA seeks to understand:
In addition to the above, the CAA has also published a guide which explains how they continue to protect consumers as aviation adopts AI.
Read more:
11 April 2025
Drones in Action End User Stories:
Emergency Response – 86 Lives Saved from Drone Enhanced Missions
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is integrating drones into search and rescue missions, enhancing emergency response capabilities. Traditional methods can be slow or limited in certain conditions, particularly in remote or hazardous areas.
By using drones equipped with thermal sensors and BVLOS capabilities, MCA has saved 86 lives with drone enhanced missions and improved operational efficiency, reducing reliance on costly alternatives.
This approach also contributes to over £50 million in annual savings while reducing risks for rescue teams.
Read more on Drones in Emergency Services & Blue Lights
8 April 2025
We’re delighted this year’s ARPAS-UK AGM & Annual Conference 2025 will take place at Cranfield University – a leading institution in aerospace and autonomous systems, and a long-standing ARPAS-UK member.
It’s the ideal setting for a day of insight, discussion, and networking. We know travel isn’t always possible, so the event will be hybrid, with the option to attend in person or online via Microsoft Teams.
Following the AGM, the programme will include talks and discussions across key industry themes. We’ll hear from end-users and sector leaders on market adoption, with speakers including Sellafield Ltd and Esri UK, followed by policy and regulation from the DfT and CAA, and sessions on innovation and airspace.
Interactive SLIDO will be run during the day to gather your views and questions.
Unable to attend in person? Submit your Proxy Vote to the Chair via the Registration Form – link below
We look forward to welcoming you – in-person or online – for what promises to be an engaging and valuable event!
Need to cancel? You may transfer your place to a colleague or contact [email protected]
March 2025
In this third episode of the ARPAS-UK Fireside Chat series, Directors Anne-Lise Scaillierez and David Thurston discuss the UK government’s recent announcement on drone class marking and the appointment of the Market Surveillance Authority (MSA).
From 1 January 2026, drones in the Open Category must meet new product standards under the Class Marking framework, aimed at improving safety and compliance.
Anne-Lise and David discuss what these changes could mean for drone operators and the wider industry, and how ARPAS-UK will support members through the transition.
Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and hit the notification bell! Alternatively, listen to our Fireside Chats and updates on Spotify.
2 April 2025
ARPAS-UK was invited as part of Westminster eForum conference on 31 March 2025 entitled: “Next steps for the UK drone industry – policy, regulation, investment, growth and innovation”.
This recording provides ARPAS-UK keynote, delivered by CEO Anne-Lise Scaillierez, who contributed specifically to a panel focused on the relationship between Regulation and the Drone Industry.
Read more on Regulatory Matters here
Visit our YouTube Channel, Subscribe & Hit the Notification Bell
Listen to this episode on our Spotify channel
31 March 2025
The UK Government wants the UK to have an advanced aviation ecosystem where everyone can benefit from new technology while tackling emissions. To help it get there, the Department for Transport has announced over an additional £20 million.
Drone services at a commercial scale and flying taxis could soon be a reality as the Aviation Minister confirms over £20 million funding today (1 April 2025) to launch new flight technologies.
The new funding will unlock barriers to growth – which is the priority of the Plan for Change – and maximise opportunities for better and cheaper public services while cutting carbon emissions.
It is designed to advance aviation tech to support healthcare for the NHS, assist police forces in combatting crime, help inspect and survey critical infrastructure and unlock delivery services for businesses and communities across the country.
As part of this, both the Aviation Minister and Science Minister have today also set out how the Department for Transport (DfT), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the new Regulatory Innovation Office (RIO) in the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) will streamline regulatory processes to support the commercialisation of the industry.
Aviation Minister, Mike Kane, said:
I want the UK to have the most advanced aviation technology ecosystem in the world.
That means creating a nimble regulatory environment and a culture of innovation so everyone can benefit from cutting-edge transport while tackling emissions, traffic and potentially saving lives.
Our investment alongside the new Future of Flight industry group will bring together tech experts, drone operators, flying vehicle manufacturers and local communities to identify where change needs to happen.
With safety at the heart of these advancements, the RIO is driving smarter regulation to cut red tape while ensuring high safety standards. It will support DfT and CAA in enabling faster, integration of drones and flying taxi industries, helping businesses grow and innovate.
This includes consulting on the mandatory use of new electronic conspicuity standards and technologies, which allow aircraft to share their location electronically, helping drones and crewed aircraft fly safely alongside each other. By making approvals quicker and operations more efficient, this will open new opportunities for the industry while maintaining the highest safety standards.
Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said:
These regulatory reforms for drones – requiring all aircraft to share their location – will make drone operations safer and therefore speed up approvals, allowing them to operate near airports and simplifying their use for delivering medical supplies – while unlocking further commercial opportunities.
This is a practical step to cut red tape and a great piece of progress for the Regulatory Innovation Office, growing the UK’s position as a world leader in emerging technologies and helping drive the growth that will deliver our Plan for Change.
In addition, as previously confirmed by the Chancellor, plans are now underway to simplify regulations to enable 2-year airspace change for drone operations. This will enable operators to fly safely for longer and gather data to inform future services.
Other changes will simplify regulations to enable emergency services including firefighters and paramedics to use drone services, as well as noise exemptions for drone trials within the Airspace Change Process, and simplifying the drone operational application process to enable them to get flying faster and easier.
Furthermore, the regulator, drone operators, flying vehicle innovators and local authorities will come together with government at the Future of Flight industry group to help guide the government on its mission to transform technology in aviation.
Part of the government’s Plan for Change, the group will focus on how to unlock the benefits of future aviation technologies to propel the country’s economic growth forward. It will look at how government can harness the potential of technology and create a culture of innovation, with the aim of improving everyday challenges like emergency across the public sector face, while helping cut carbon emissions.
The Minister for Aviation will co-chair the group, alongside Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports.
Duncan Walker, CEO of Skyports and Co-Chair of the Future of Flight industry group, said:
This additional government funding is a vital boost for the UK’s leadership in next-generation aviation. This investment will accelerate the development and deployment of innovative flight technologies, from complex drone operations to advanced air mobility solutions.
I welcome this commitment, which will not only drive progress towards a more sustainable and connected future but also deliver significant economic benefits, high-value jobs and export opportunities across the UK. I look forward to continuing to work in close partnership with government and the regulator to turn these opportunities into reality.
The funding will be divided between the CAA, receiving £16.5 million in 2025 to 2026, to deliver a regulatory programme to enable drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) and progress toward routine use of air taxis (eVTOLs) in UK skies.
This includes publishing a piloted eVTOL ‘roadmap’, development of ‘drone pathways’ for industry to follow and consulting on concept of operations for uncrewed traffic management (UTM) and Detect and Avoid (DAA) technology. This will make it quicker and easier for industry to prove the safety of these new technologies, deliver the necessary digital infrastructure and make sure that people, property and other aviation remain safe and secure when these new technologies fly in our skies.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said:
Flying taxis will transform the way we move — making it quicker, quieter and cleaner to travel while connecting communities and supporting essential services.
The UK has an incredible opportunity to lead the world in this new era of aviation, delivering not just greener transport but real economic growth and skilled jobs.
This latest funding is another welcome step towards seeing that ambition realised and our world-leading aircraft flying in British skies from 2028.
In addition, the Future Flight Challenge will receive up to £5 million from DfT and Innovate UK, to support industry to turn these new technologies into profitable business that benefits communities and support growth. This will include regional demonstrations and supporting development of commercial drone and air taxi solutions.
Mike Biddle, Executive Director of Net Zero, Innovate UK, said:
Innovate UK is excited to build on the highly successful work of the Future Flight Challenge by working in partnership with DfT through this joint funding. We look forward to working with industry, end-users, DfT, DSIT and the CAA as we accelerate the transition from innovation to commercial operations.
1st April 2025
From 1 January 2026, drones operating in the Open Category – which covers low-risk drone flights and leisure activities – will be subject to product standards under a framework known as ‘Class Marking’, improving the safety and security of the sector.
The current transition period for the Open category is due to expire on 1 January 2026, and there were question marks about what would happen next. Today’s announcement provides visibility and clarity that the UK is moving towards adopting drone class marking, which is excellent news.
This is a long awaited outcome of the 2023 “Review of UK UAS Regulations” consultation. Back then, elements of our response to the consultation on the matter were:
Our understanding is that the CAA will take advantage of class marking delivered by other major jurisdictions, like EASA, especially since a reasonable pool of drones are now vetted under the European class-marking scheme.
At the moment, the A1 250g+ and A2 subcategories within the Open category are somehow useless, and that is because matching class-marked drones were not introduced.
Today, for commercial operations, flying in the Open category is probably mostly either flying in A1 with a sub 250g drone, or flying in A3 with a sub 25kg drone.
The minimum distance of 50m from uninvolved person means that this A2 subcategory is almost useless for commercial operations in an urban environment.
The introduction of class marking means that more operations will be accessible in the Open category, because the product requirements will contribute to the safety argument.
The A2 Certificate of Competency (A2CofC) provides basic theoretical knowledge and does not include practical flight training or assessments. While it allows drone operators to fly closer to uninvolved people under certain conditions, it does not sufficiently prepare pilots for the complexities of urban environments, where risks are higher due to dense populations, obstacles, and unpredictable scenarios. The General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC), on the other hand, includes both theoretical and practical assessments, ensuring pilots can demonstrate safe operational practices, emergency handling, and risk mitigation strategies.
Given the challenges of flying in urban settings, we query whether the GVC should become the minimum training requirement to ensure competency, improve public safety, and maintain professional standards in drone operations.
Formally, on Monday 17 March 2024, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rachel Reeves, named the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as the UK’s drone Market Surveillance Authority (MSA). The MSA will be responsible for ensuring required standards for drones are met by manufacturers, as well as importers and distributors, and intervening when there is non-compliance. It means drone users will have more confidence that drones they purchase are safe and comply with safety standards.
This move positions the CAA as the lead authority responsible for setting and enforcing product standards for unmanned aircraft. It’s a significant step that promises greater regulatory clarity, better alignment with international norms, and enhanced safety across the sector.
Our understanding is that changes in the Open category requires legislative change, because the Open Category is written in the 2019/047 itself – or at least decision making at Department for Transport DfT ministerial level.
It may be that not everything is fully in place from Day 1 on 1 January 2026, in which case we can assume that an incremental transition would be organised. Possibly drones that have already received class-marking or equivalent in other jurisdictions like EASA could be reviewed and class-marked in the UK by the CAA. Assessment of drones or UAS without any form of class-marking, requiring full review by the CAA, would take longer.
In 2026, UAS without class marks will have been used routinely, safely, under the current Open category regime. It would make sense to offer a transition period during which they can be operated under the same transitional regime as today for a few years – until they become obsolete.
For the UK drone industry, now is the time to stay informed and actively engage with these developments. As you know, the devil can be in the details, but we are confident.
Whether you’re a drone operator, a manufacturer, or another stakeholder, being proactive will ensure you’re ready for the coming changes.
If you’re not yet a member, join our community and stay informed with ARPAS-UK
Read the full CAA Press Release
December 2022 post on the open category period extension: Open category transition period extended to 1 Jan 2026. No Class marking in the UK (at all or at least for now). – ARPAS UK
24 March 2025