CAA

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DfT Aviation Ambassadors Announced 2024-26

The Aviation Ambassadors Group works with the Department for Transport to help deliver a skilled, diverse and sustainable aviation workforce fit to seize the opportunities of the future. This newly announced cohort will be in action for the next two years, rather than one year, as previously.

The group helps meet the goals of the Generation Aviation programme. This programme sees the UK government, industry and others, including the aviation ambassadors, work to help build an aviation workforce fit for the future, attract diverse and talented people and prepare for new technologies.

The aviation ambassadors play an important role in inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals, championing the sector and acting as role models for prospective aviation workers from all backgrounds.

The Aviation Ambassador Group has 3 main objectives:

  • Raising the profile of the aviation industry: Inspiring the next generation of aviation professionals, championing the sector and acting as role models for prospective aviation workers from all backgrounds. Using social media and communication platforms to improve the visibility of all opportunities in the sector including by showcasing the wide variety of roles that are on offer in the aviation sector such as those that are less understood or are overlooked. 
  • Outreach programmes: Developing and delivering bespoke outreach activities to young people and underrepresented or marginalised groups. This will include attending events designed to educate, inspire and engage young people who would not otherwise pursue opportunities available within the aviation sector. 
  • Career pathways: Supporting the development or promotion of new learning and development opportunities, including considering where pathways into the aviation sector can be created, improved or signposted, including supporting the mobility and retention of skills within the sector.

The Ambassadors:

Alex Durand

Alex has decades of aviation experience and has been chief executive officer of Klyne Aviation for over 10 years, delivering integrated aviation services that fly clients worldwide. He is also a non-executive director for NUNCATS, a UK electric aircraft innovator.

Alex is a champion of aviation – commercial, general and business – and his local community in Norfolk. He sits on the Norfolk chamber of commerce board and works as vice chair of the British Business and General Aviation Association.

He wants to challenge the perceptions of the aviation sector to help build a more diverse, accessible and sustainable future.

Alex is also an ARPAS-UK Member.

Alice Goodwin, Hannah Wells, Honor Puciato, Jack Jenner-Hall, Lilya Turner Hurd, Mariya Tarabanovska, Michael Glen, Mohammad Taher, Nurina Sharmin

Mariya and Nurina work for Flight Crowd, a UK educational non-profit which exists to support the Air Mobility community. They aim to bring together enthusiasts and experts both to educate and to grow the wider public interest in the Future Flight industry.

ARPAS-UK wishes all the ambassadors well.

More information

ARPAS-UK would like to thank Keith Bennett, Chief Pilot – Drone/Counter Drone Lead and Trainer at West Midlands Police, for his work in 2023 as Aviation Ambassador. He has been inspirational in his outreach, and we look forward to continuing to work with him via the NPCC.

15 January 2024

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SEAD Artists consortia unveils programme intended to achieve the UK’s first carbon negative flights

A consortia involving ARPAS-UK Members and using drone technology to revolutionise how landowners, environmentalist and conservationists manage the UK’s vast peatland carbon sink resources has today unveiled their programme to deliver the UK’s first carbon negative aviation project.

Project “Drone RePeat” was recently awarded £500,000 from Natural England’s Paludiculture Exploration Fund to increase awareness of Paludiculture and carbon sink management through greater use of emerging technologies and new agronomy methods. 

With a focus on promoting sustainable land use practices that are environmentally friendly, socially beneficial and economically viable, the programme seeks to use drones to survey, analyse then precision-spray peatlands to seed Paludiculture crops and monitor irrigation and carbon depletion from the soil, creating new ways for landowners to realise value from these difficult-to-manage landscapes.

To scale the project and it’s the carbon negative mandate, the SEAD Artists team are working closely with the CAA to unlock ultra-low level airspace to allow regular airspace access for landowners, asset managers and contractors to use agri-drones and other innovative technologies  in low-level airspace above farmland and peatland.

Andrew Sproson, Co-Founder of Autospray Systems and Project Lead for Project Drone RePEAT said “We’re genuinely excited by the potential drones have to revolutionize the UK’s paludiculture industry,” Andrew continued. “The ability to operate drones over greater distances increases efficiency, creating a framework that allows for scalability and easier drone adoption. This in turn not only enables drone spraying and spreading for current and future Peat Restoration projects, but crucially enables the creation of a commercial market for lowland land owners across the UK, encouraging wider adoption. 

“Preserving England’s largest Carbon Sink is as important as reducing the speed at which the world’s icebergs are melting – once they’ve degraded, peatland takes centuries to re-establish but the crops and moss identified through our trials have been proven to preserve peat and thus contribute toward reducing the benchmark of peat emissions. 

Gareth Whatmore, project partner and founder of DronePrep, which was the architect of the first real-world drone deliveries in England and Scotland for the NHS and Royal Mail, said: “Peat is England’s single largest Carbon store, with 1 million acres of peat soils storing 584m tonnes of carbon – that’s the equivalent of 540 coal-fired power stations!  Peat takes millennia to generate, and bogs store 10 times more carbon than forests.

“Degradation and draining mean these peatlands emit around 11 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere every year so improving their management and encouraging restoration is a key part of the UK’s Net Zero strategy.

“The challenge for landowners is that cultivating or restoring peatland is often difficult, due to its bogging and inaccessible nature. 

“Our work has demonstrated that tech solutions, such as the use of drones, can not only help landowners manage their peatland and plant crops to preserve peat stocks but can also support the growing of new, peat-hardy crops that can be manufactured into Net Zero clothing or construction materials.”

Most drones are powered by electricity and Drone RePeat’s calculations suggest the potential carbon gains that could be realised by managing this important but delicate landscape through reduced peatland degradation, maintenance of large carbon sinks and the commercial exploitation of peat-hardy crops, will effectively make the drone flights enabling this innovative approach carbon negative.

Aleks Kowalski, Project Manager of Drone RePeat added, “To respond to the climate emergency the Drone RePEAT team have also formed a partnership called SEAD Artists to develop how our innovative technologies can apply to future carbon management and climate credit schemes which can bring external investment, given that work outside of the Paludiculture project is be focussed on programmes to plant trees via drones at scale. We call on all COP28 delegates and Climate Fund Managers to create a service that allows companies to invest in this technology to match their COP28 objectives and carbon liabilities.”

Jim Milner, Natural England – Paludiculture Exploration Fund project manager, said: The Paludiculture exploration fund aims to explore new crops and products that can grow on wet peat soils. As Gareth says, this creates challenges in managing those new crops we hope to develop and new solutions are needed. This is where SEAD Artists fits in and it is great to see how the team at Drone RePeat is connecting with the wider Paludiculture community.”

The Drone RePeat project consists of the SEAD Artists consortia which currently include the following organisations: 

  • Aerofirm – a world-leading safety case expert around Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight
  • AutoSpray Systems – the only UK company permitted to use drones for land spraying and spreading, allowing aerial application of seeds, spores, fertiliser and nutrients to England’s peatlands
  • DronePrep – architects of the first real-world drone deliveries for NHS and Royal Mail, and experts in land ownership and airspace approvals
  • Skypointe – Facilitating connections and insights across multiple technology domains, bringing together domain expertise from over 20 years in manned aviation, uncrewed systems, digital systems with heavy involvement in trade association, regulatory and standards work.
  • TAPSW – A software firm est 2010, are real time data integration specialists focusing on audits at a distance to track, monitor, and evidence events aiding agronomists and agriculture stakeholders in their decision making processes.

For further details, contact [email protected] 

15 January 2024

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Protected: MEMBERS ONLY: our response to CAA Review of UK UAS Regulations (due Jan10 2024)

This content is password protected. To view it please enter your password below:

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Ajuno- assurance of UAS flight controllers survey

Ajuno are conducting a short survey on assurance of UAS flight controllers.

The flight controller is core to any UAS and is responsible for stabilising the aircraft, executing flight commands, and enabling increasingly autonomous navigation. Despite significant advancements in UAS technology, current flight controllers present both significant challenges and opportunities to future drone capabilities

Complete this <10min survey to help steer the future of flight controller development and have a chance to win a £50 Amazon voucher!

Click here to access survey

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“PDRA01 Application on hold”: Top 3 reasons

We had a meeting with representatives of the CAA’s Shared Services Centre SSC team, and would like to share some useful feedback wrt PDRA01 Application on hold. In terms of process within the CAA:

  • The SSC team pre-screens  all Operational Applications “OA” in the Specific Category

  • The SSC team assess the PDRA01 applications only.

  • The SSC team transfers the OSC applications (Case 1, Case2, and special projects) to the RPAS Oversight team.

The top 3 reasons why PDRA01 OA are put on hold by the SSC team are:

1.     Inadequate Emergency Procedures. These are detailed in CAP722A 1.4.14 “Emergency Procedures”. It details the events triggering an ERP (loss of control, loss of propulsion, pilot incapacitated etc), the checklist of specific actions undertaken by the RP and the crew to reduce the impact of that particular event (activate RTH, landing etc). It also covers the checklist of actions post event (inform closest aerodromes, and/or emergency services, and/or make immediate note of chain of events, and/or report incident etc).

2.     Discrepancies or lack of Flyer IDs, Operator IDs, Remote Pilot Competencies documentation for the organisation and/or the team listed in the Operation’s manual. Remember that the details must match exactly the information in DMARES.

3.     Discrepancies in the legal name of the organisation applying for the OA, typically: “legal name registered on Companies House Ltd” trading as “Business Name, or Company name”.

We also noted that the text in the CAA’s response emails can appear as aggressive (“Your application is on hold”, application cancelled if no response after 14 days or if second application fails assessment), especially when the reasons for having an application on hold are not safety-driven or are not clear. The team acknowledged that the emails are standard communications issued automatically, regardless of the reasons.

Going forward,  the objective is to have a distinction between:

  •  Applications being put on hold on safety reasons

  • Applications that are processed and approved but with advisory recommendations and best practices that the operator must apply – for reasons that  are not safety critical.

By Anne-Lise Scaillierez.

Members only: please share comments below, or by email: [email protected].

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Protected: Drop-in session 19 Dec: ARPAS-UK Response to CAA’s UAS Regulatory Review Consultation

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AAM Evidence report published by DfT

BryceTech was commissioned by the Department for Transport to assess the Advanced Air Mobility market readiness.

The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has published a comprehensive review on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) titled “Advanced Air Mobility Evidence Review.” Released on December 5, 2023, and updated on December 7, 2023, this independent report, produced by BryceTech on behalf of the DfT, marks a crucial step in understanding and shaping the future of air travel.

The review meticulously addresses evidence gaps identified in DfT’s research areas, providing an in-depth overview of the current status and expected future trajectory of both the UK and global AAM industry. This includes a detailed examination of the development level and market entry timelines for various vehicles and enabling technologies, pivotal in shaping the industry’s future.

One of the key aspects of the review is its focus on the size and potential growth of the current UK and global markets for advanced air mobility. By assessing future market outlooks, the report highlights significant opportunities for industry players and policymakers. Importantly, the review identifies key market drivers and barriers, offering insights into potential government interventions that could facilitate the growth of the UK AAM market.

The AAM market is characterized by a high level of uncertainty due to its emergent nature. To address this, the review draws from a broad spectrum of literature and expertise, including contributions from a steering group comprising representatives from the DfT, Civil Aviation Authority, Future Flight Challenge, Connected Places Catapult, and various academic institutions. This comprehensive approach ensures a balanced and well-informed perspective on the subject.

Click Here to Access Report

The review is not just an academic exercise; it is a vital resource for stakeholders across the aviation sector, including manufacturers, service providers, policy makers, and regulators. It sets the stage for informed decision-making and strategic planning, essential for navigating the complexities and leveraging the opportunities in the rapidly evolving world of advanced air mobility.

In conclusion, the “Advanced Air Mobility Evidence Review” by the UK Department for Transport is a landmark report that offers a clear vision of the future of aviation. It is a testament to the UK’s commitment to leading in the development and deployment of innovative aviation technologies. As the industry stands on the brink of a new era, this report will undoubtedly serve as a key reference point for shaping the future of air travel, both in the UK and globally.

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CAA: UAS Regulations Review Consultation due 10 Jan. DO RESPOND!

The CAA have launched a consultation on proposals to make it easier for drone users to fly safely and meet regulatory requirements. This is a follow-up to the Call for Input that took place in October – our responses were made available via the bulleting and the website.

The responses are due on January 10 2024, and we encourage all members to respond with their own views. The primary audience are the hundreds of thousands of Flyer and Operator ID holders and the Open Category operators, but the proposals also reach operators in the Specific category. A quick skim through the document indicates that it is going in the right direction, with among other proposals:

  • Proposal to implement a UK version of Class Marking, which will bring to life the real intended benefits of the Open category and its subcategories
  • Proposal that C1/UK1 (<900g) drones may fly over uninvolved people, like C0/UK0 drones
  • Gradual phase out of the CAP722 series and the merger of key content into a revised Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material AMC & GM. To avoid duplication of documentation and contradictions between documents.

Proposals also include the extension of Flyer ID training to users of drones under 250g, and the extension of time period to adopt class-marked drones by 2 years.

The most challenging proposal is most likely the introduction Remote ID. We know that there is no consensus among our members, based on your feedback collected in October for the Call for Input . Our position as an Organisation is in favour of Remote ID, with caveats, for the reasons outlined in our response at the time. You can read it again by clicking Here (password protected). We will also make our response to this formal consultation available to members once we’ve reviewed it within the Regulation Special Interest Group REGSIG.

We will share our thoughts and our response with members, in the meantime we encourage all members to respond with their own views:

Have your Say

Consultation Opened: 22 November 2023

Consultation Closes: 10 January 2024

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CAA: New study on Electronic Conspicuity published by aviation regulator

At a glance

  • A study has been published looking at how human factors affect the use of Electronic Conspicuity (EC), and what can be done to can enhance airspace safety.
  • The research is part of progress being made on the regulator’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy.
  • Work underway to help inform Electronic Conspicuity standards that should be adopted in the future.

New research shows there are untapped benefits of Electronic Conspicuity devices in light aircraft, which is vital to help avoid mid-air collisions and situations where air safety is threatened, known as Airprox.

A report published by the UK Civil Aviation Authority today [16 November 2023] has looked at the importance of technology used in light aircraft that helps make pilots aware of other aircraft such as planes, gliders, helicopters and drones to avoid collisions and increase airspace safety.

The findings of the report will be used alongside new research the regulator has commissioned to set a future standard for the use of Electronic Conspicuity equipment.

As well as enhancing airspace safety, Electronic Conspicuity is vital to enabling the safe and efficient integration of airspace for all airspace users, one of the objectives of the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

Electronic Conspicuity is an umbrella term for the technology that can help General Aviation pilots, drone operators and air traffic services be more aware of what is flying in surrounding airspace. It includes the devices fitted to aircraft and unmanned systems that send out position information, and the support infrastructure on the ground to help them work together.

Jon Round, Head of Airspace, Aerodromes and Air Traffic Management at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

“Electronic Conspicuity is key to unlocking progress on modernising airspace in the UK.

“Not only can it help to mitigate the risk of mid-air collisions and infringements into controlled airspace, but it can enable the safe and efficient integration of all airspace users in our skies.

“This new report shows how important it is for us to continue our work in this area, so that we can enable the modernisation of the UK’s airspace structure and route network.”

The milestone report was carried out by GASCo and Jarvis Bagshaw, who surveyed pilots to investigate how Human Factors affect the safe use of Electronic Conspicuity.

The results of the survey were complimented by four trial flights, using eye-tracking technology, to observe pilot behaviour in flight when using EC to enhance their visual scan and situational awareness.

Mike O’Donoghue, Chief Executive at GASCo, said:

“Electronic Conspicuity is a really important tool for keeping our airspace safe. Our report shows its advantages, but also highlights the need for more training, awareness and hands-on practice.

“We will continue to work with the UK Civil Aviation Authority on the progress being made in this area, so that the benefits of Electronic Conspicuity can be realised.”

The research found that, despite the advantages of Electronic Conspicuity, there were many learning points including a ‘false sense of security’ from some pilots, issues around distraction when flying, and over-reliance on the technology.

The report also made recommendations on enhancing pilot training for Electronic Conspicuity devices, emphasising the importance of understanding in-flight effects and their mitigation, as well as the need for hands-on practice on the ground and in the air.

The publication of the report comes as the regulator commissions a new study on Electronic Conspicuity, which will look at how the technology can enhance airspace safety and enable integration of crewed and uncrewed airspace users. The research will aim to characterise UK airspace while researching methods of practically implementing Electronic Conspicuity.

The regulator will use this recent report from GASCo and Jarvis Bagshaw, and the newly commissioned study, to inform future decisions on an Electronic Conspicuity Standard, and how such a Standard can be implemented.

16 November 2023

Link to the CAA website

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Introduction to SORA v2.5 (SORA to be adopted by CAA in 2024). WATCH AGAIN

SORA is the Specific Operations Risk Assessment safety methodology that the CAA intends to adopt/recommend as an acceptable means of compliance to regulations in 2024 (est.), in its next version SORA v2.5.

The JARUS group of experts published SORA v2.0 in 2019. That version is already implemented in many countries around the world.

The CAA intends to adopt/adapt the next version, v2.5, that should be published by JARUS in Q1 2024.

It is time to understand the details of SORA, especially if you are an OSC holder! Watch the webinar:

Alternatively, you can watch the slidedeck below: