FLY SMART, FLY SAFE
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
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Member Success Stories & Blogs
5 March 2025
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
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.
3 March 2025
Highlighting the criticality of developing Non-Technical Skills (NTS), that is Human Factors and Crew Resource Management, for uncrewed teams and operators. Uncovering why the requirement for optimised NTS within the uncrewed sphere is not only as vital as for crewed flight, but also introduces new demands, not experienced in the traditional cockpit environment. Join us for this webinar with Chris Davies and Grant Meekey of Volaria Performance.
Who is this webinar for? RAEs, the Defence Sector, Companies interested in or already operating BVLOS, and Larger Drone Service Operating Companies with Teams of Pilots. It still remains beneficial for all drone service operating companies to attend.
Speaker Bios:
Chris Davies, Director, Volaria Performance.
Chris is an experienced military and civilian aviator and leader within both Rotary- and Fixed-Wing environments. A specialist in the field of HF/CRM, he also has extensive experience within the uncrewed sector and is thus uniquely placed to assist teams in navigating the increasingly demanding challenges faced in such operations.
Grant Meekey, Director, Volaria Performance.
Grant is an accomplished multi-aircraft and multi-crew position aviator, with over 34 years of aerospace experience, both Rotary- and Fixed-wing. Highly qualified and accomplished in HF/CRM training delivery, he is also the Chair of a major Human Factors Training Advisory Panel in the UK.
For more webinars on various topics and to watch again
For further Human Factors related webinars:
For more on CHIRP (Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme) for UAS
17 February 2025
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 NPA@caa.co.uk.
Aircraft operators must obtain approval from the assigned Dangerous Goods Inspector prior to carrying dangerous goods
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.
For more Regulations related information
13 February 2025
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 info@lightdynamix.co.uk
For more information about Light Dynamix and its Pixel drones, visit www.lightdynamix.co.uk
For more information about Illuminate Drones, visit www.illuminatedrones.com
Light Dynamix is an ARPAS-UK Member.
For more Member Success Stories & Blogs
14 February 2025
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.
Recommendations:
Read further Drone Industry Reports
17 February 2025
12 February 2025 – ARPAS-UK is a trade body and our #1 mission is to support our members’ business and their business growth. Our objective is to accelerate the safe and professional adoption of drones across all industries, unlocking its transformative impact for the economy and wider society. This includes projecting a positive mindset about our own confidence in our success as an industry. It is also about supporting a positive public perception of our community.
Our approach to the Regulator is therefore to support them by representing the views of our members to ensure the most pragmatic regulation is put in place in a timely manner. We see little benefit in criticising the Regulator publicly – if there are legitimate criticisms we believe we will achieve better results for our members by lobbying strongly behind the scenes, providing responses to Consultations and using our position as a well-respected industry body.
In our exchanges with the CAA, our target is proportionate regulations, and the ability to do more, safely, at a reasonable compliance cost. For example, in our response to the service charge consultation, our main points were focused on the outcome for operators (fees multiplied) rather than pointing out mistakes made. That consultation response was the output of multiple iterations with members over several weeks, and we’re confident that these are the comments and priorities expressed by our members.
In December 2024, ARPAS-UK’s Regulation Special Interest Group (REG SIG) shared its Position Paper #2 with its members and with the CAA. This 20-page document outlines our regulatory advocacy priorities. The absolute priorities were:
The complete and exact table of content of the 20 page ARPAS-UK REG SIG Position Paper #2, shared with our members and the CAA, reads as follows:
1. Consultation on Scheme of Charges due Jan 6: some charges possibly at x2 x3 or even more. Proportionate, fair, and reasonable?
2. Open category: what’s next at the end of the transition period Jan 2026?
3. VLOS maximum range, 500m specified in the Specific category but not in the Open category
4. Existing PDRA01 – UK SORA – no impact – no regulatory setback.
5. New PDRAs for lower risk operations, starting with Reduced distances from uninvolved people with low-mass low-speed low-height data capture drone ops and BVLOS with Visual Observers
6. PDRA01 Audit, return of experience
7. UK SORA – Absence of reference to generic location authorisation. Would be an unjustified profound set-back vs current OSC/ORA annual authorisations.
8. Transition to SORA for the OSC/ORA holders: Avoiding overcomplexity. Learning the lessons from Europe. Transition period. Grandfather’s rights. Briefing. Training.
9. Operations Manual for OSC renewals / anticipating SORA application / opportunity for clearer leaner Ops Manual
10. Atypical Air Environment Clarifications. Zoom on Electronic Conspicuity.
Appendix:
11. Why transitioning UK PDRA01 to poor performer EU STS01 with controlled ground areas would be a mistake.
12. Updated RAG on Regulatory Matters identified in May 2024 report.
In our exchanges with the CAA, we provide as many facts and evidence as possible, sourced from our members, from stakeholders, and from other international organisations like us, so that we can help shape proportionate regulations.
As the UK’s trade association for the drone industry, ARPAS-UK strongly supports regulation that is both appropriate and proportionate. We believe that relevant and accessible authorisations will encourage operators to remain within the regulatory framework, promoting industry growth and maintaining high safety standards.
By continuing to engage with the CAA and advocating for sensible regulatory solutions, ARPAS-UK aims to ensure that the UK drone industry thrives under a system that balances safety with operational practicality.
ARPAS-UK fosters a collaborative environment that promotes growth and innovation within the drone industry. As part of our organisational objective, we work to build opportunities across diverse industries, including demonstrating use cases and actively engaging with Local Government to support the integration of drone technologies in meaningful ways. We are committed to advancing STEM education for the future, including inspiring the next generation about the potential of drone technology and industry stakeholders. With drones firmly on the national agenda, we encourage organisations and individuals to join ARPAS-UK and be part of shaping the future of this dynamic industry.
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