The UKRI Future Flight Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK and ESRC, has launched a project library showcasing the range of large-scale projects taking place as part of Phase 3 of the Challenge. The showcase demonstrates the breadth of activities, successes and impacts to date, and the +130 organisations currently involved in the Challenge. These include businesses, universities, local authorities, emergency services, the NHS and the third sector.
The event exists to equip you with the tools, connections and insights to navigate Future Flight investment. Through this event you will:
Access deep insights from top experts actively engaged in the aviation industry.
Engage with a diverse network of investors across the capital stack and industry experts at the forefront of Future Flight.
Identify and overcome common barriers to investing in high-growth companies within the aviation industry.
The event is designed to deepen your understanding of the Future Flight landscape, reveal unseen opportunities, and overcome barriers to investment.
For Future Flight Sector Companies:
This event is primarily targeted towards investors. It is not a platform to pitch to investors but rather an opportunity to explore the realm of private investment within the Future Flight industry. Places are very limited so we may need to manage the attendee list.
Expression of interest registration:
Who should express interest in attending?
Future Flight sector companies looking to gain insight into the Future Flight investment landscape and market potential.
What to expect:
Upon registering your interest, we may contact you for further information to gauge your investor readiness.
Unlocking Social Value: Why It Matters for Small Business Drone Operators
by Sarah Stone, Founder & Director of Samtaler
In the ever-evolving landscape of drone operations, business owners often focus on the technical aspects of their trade — mastering flight manoeuvres, capturing stunning aerial footage, inspecting commercial assets or post processing data efficiently. However, amidst the hustle and bustle of daily operations, it’s easy to overlook a crucial aspect that can significantly impact long-term success: social value.
What is Social Value?
Social value refers to the positive impact a business has on society, or the benefits it creates, beyond its financial performance. It encompasses a variety of elements, including employee recruitment and wellbeing, environmental sustainability, community engagement, ethical business practices, and contribution to social causes.
Why is Social Value Important to Drone Operators?
The public sector is a key customer for the industry with UAVs used across the public sector in a wide range of capacities from providing aerial surveys and data collection services to inspections of infrastructure like bridges, power lines, and pipelines.
Public sector bodies are increasingly conscious of the implications of their purchasing decisions and want to buy from suppliers who operate ethically and sustainably. To identify whether a supplier does this they place social value requirements in their tenders.
Which means if you want to win work with public sector bodies such as Local Authorities you will almost certainly be asked to make social value commitments; and with social value worth from 10% of the total marks it can make the difference between winning and losing the contract.
Another reason that social value is important is that providing opportunities for SMEs to enter supply chains and supporting economic growth is a social value outcome which public sector organisations are trying to create themselves. Which means that if you are an SME, simply by buying from you, the public sector will be creating social value themselves.
It isn’t just public sector procurement requirements that make it important. It’s now recognised that operating with a focus solely on profits can lead to short-term gains at the expense of long-term sustainability. Thinking about the social value your business can create will help you differentiate your company and stand out in the market as well as offering a range of other business benefits; businesses that prioritise social value are more likely to adopt environmentally friendly practices, ethical standards, and fair labour policies, all of which ensure their viability in the long run.
5 things Drone Operators can do to create social value
So, what sorts of things can drone operators do to create social value? We’ve put together this list of five things to help you:
1 – Prioritise sustainability in your own operations
Drones offer significant environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon emissions and minimising the need for traditional transportation methods.
Consider what sustainable practices you could implement throughout your operations, from energy-efficient flight planning to responsible waste management. Think about the environmental impact of your equipment, materials, and operational processes, and explore opportunities for carbon reduction or renewable energy adoption. The British Business Bank have put together this great guide on Net Zero for small businesses.
By prioritising sustainability in their operations, drone operators can not only minimise their own ecological footprint but also position the industry as responsible stewards of the environment.
2 – Raise awareness amongst young people about career opportunities in the industry
Globally, the drone industry is growing exponentially. According to a 2023 US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) report, the number of commercial drones in the United States is projected to grow from 42,000 units in 2017 to over 352,200 in 2023, whilst the commercial drone market is estimated to grow by $44.85 billion between 2022 to 2027. This growth is leading to significant demand for people to fill a wide range of specialist roles including Drone Aerial Surveyors, Cinematographers, Search & Rescue pilots and coordinators and Industrial Inspectors, Agricultural specialists and delivery coordinators. The sector demands a certified, specialised workforce but with the world of work changing so rapidly, many young people studying today are unaware of the opportunities the industry presents to them, or the career pathways available and qualifications required.
Contact your local school or youth group and offer to deliver a workshop to young people on opportunities in the industry. Better still offer to mentor a young person or provide work experience. Not only will you be helping inspire young people to enter careers in the industry you could also be identifying a source of potential recruits for your own business as it grows.
3 – Educate and Advocate
Drones have the potential to revolutionize various industries, from agriculture to emergency response, and using drones can be both more sustainable and efficient but there is a lack of knowledge and awareness about what the possibilities are.
Use your expertise as a drone operator to educate others about the benefits of drone technology and advocate for responsible use. Address misconceptions, promote safety measures, and advocate for ethical standards within the industry.
Host workshops and educational sessions with local schools and business groups or conduct outreach programs in your local community to raise awareness about drone technology and its benefits.
Engaging with local communities and stakeholders not only fosters collaboration but can also lead to mutually beneficial outcomes and help identify opportunities where drones can be used that might not otherwise have been spotted.
4 – Prioritise Ethical & Safety Considerations; Uphold Standards and respond to concerns:
Ethical dilemmas surrounding drone use, such as privacy concerns and data security, are increasingly relevant in today’s society. Ignoring these only stores up problems but by adopting transparent and ethical practices, drone operators can mitigate these concerns and build trust with customers and stakeholders.
Respecting privacy rights, adhering to regulatory frameworks, and safeguarding data integrity are essential steps in demonstrating a commitment to ethical conduct.
Embrace transparency in your business practices, including data handling procedures, privacy policies, and compliance with regulatory requirements and communicate openly with stakeholders. Foster open communication with customers, local communities, regulatory authorities, and other stakeholders. Listen to their concerns, solicit feedback, and actively involve them in decision-making processes.
Create and publish a policy which demonstrates how you hold yourself accountable for upholding ethical & safety standards and continuously strive for improvement and seek feedback, listen to concerns, and collaborate on initiatives that address societal needs and priorities.
5 – Give Back
Allocate your time and expertise to social causes that align with your business values. This could involve volunteering the use of your drone for community projects, supporting local charities, or participating in environmental conservation efforts. One drone operator we know offers his time for free to local charities to film their events and then shares their videos to social media for them. This is not only immensely invaluable to them; he gets a huge amount out of it personally as well.
Social value is not just a buzzword; it’s a fundamental aspect of sustainable business success. For small business drone operators, embracing social value can lead to a host of benefits, from enhanced reputation and resilience to attracting talent and ensuring long-term viability. By integrating social responsibility into their operations, drone businesses can not only thrive financially but also make a meaningful difference in the world.
Sarah began working in social and sustainable procurement in 2016 for Local Authorities in Scotland to implement the requirements of the (then brand new) Procurement Reform (Scotland) Act. In 2019 she created Scotland’s first community benefit wish list for Perth & Kinross Council. This concept was adopted by Local Authorities across Scotland and the UK.
This concept was adopted by Local Authorities across Scotland and the UK. She has extensive experience in social value design and delivery across multi-sectors and consults with many blue-chip corporations and procurers across the UK. Before that, she was a senior advisor to David Cameron (2006-12) and Ruth Davidson (2015-17). She also co-founded and ran a social enterprise working with community groups and grassroots campaigners before launching Samtaler in 2017.
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GeoBusiness 2024: Celebrating Innovation with the Drone Theatre
ARPAS-UK is thrilled to announce its continued partnership with GeoBusiness for their landmark 10th anniversary event, taking place on June 5-6, 2024, at ExCeL London. This year promises to be the most exciting yet, with the introduction of the Drone Theatre, a dedicated space highlighting the pivotal role of drones in the geospatial industry.
The Drone Theatre: A Hub for Innovation
The Drone Theatre, curated in collaboration with ARPAS-UK, will be a focal point at GeoBusiness 2024. This dynamic stage will feature a series of talks and presentations that delve into the latest advancements in drone technology and its applications across various industries. Topics will range from regulatory updates and survey accuracy to beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations and the professional development of drone operators.
Experts from across the geospatial and drone industries will share their insights, making the Drone Theatre an essential destination for professionals eager to stay at the cutting edge of technology and best practices. Notable sessions will include case studies on integrating drones into surveying workflows and discussions on the future of BVLOS in geospatial applications.
Supporting the Drone Industry
The partnership between ARPAS-UK and GeoBusiness underscores a shared commitment to promoting the safe and effective use of drones. The Drone Theatre is designed not only to educate but also to inspire attendees about the potential of drones in various sectors, including construction, mapping, surveying, and environmental monitoring.
Through this collaboration, ARPAS-UK continues to support the growth and professionalization of the drone industry. By providing a platform for knowledge exchange and networking, the association helps ensure that its members are well-equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities of the rapidly evolving geospatial landscape.
Join Us at GeoBusiness 2024
GeoBusiness 2024 is free to attend and is open to all professionals interested in the geospatial field. With over 150 expert speakers and a diverse range of sessions across eight different stages, the event promises to offer invaluable insights and networking opportunities.
To register or learn more about the event, visit the GeoBusiness website and follow ARPAS-UK’s updates for the latest information on the Drone Theatre and other exciting developments.
We look forward to seeing you there and exploring the future of the geospatial industry together!
Drone Industry Insights encourages your participation in the 7th Annual Drone Industry Survey. The survey should only take between 8-15 minutes of your time, and the data is published in a free white paper.
As always, thanks to global partners Drone Industry Insights have organized some amazing rewards, which are described in the survey link and include a free DJI Avata2 as well as free tickets to events around the world. And again, the final report will be available for free in due course.
A number of reports from DroneII are available free of charge. More detailed reports entail a cost. Check out the website for what is available and how trends have changed.
20 May 2024
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10 Tips For Preventing Drone Crashes
When it comes to flying a drone, there are some factors that are inevitably out of your hands which could result in you crashing your drone. However, there are some factors that can be easily avoided. That’s if you are aware of them.
Below Lee Wakefield at Coverdrone has outlined ten tips on how to avoid a drone crash.
1. Check the weather conditions
The first thing to consider is the forecasted weather conditions when you fly. Drones have many intricate motors and sensitive electronics that need to be protected as best as they can against airborne moisture resulting from rain, fog and snow.
Ideally you want to fly on days with clear skies and good visibility, and conditions that are not wet and windy, as they can drastically reduce your visibility and make it more difficult for you to fly safely.
Colder temperatures can also greatly reduce the chemical activity in lithium batteries. This reduces flight times and can cause your batteries to become unstable, putting your drone at risk of falling out of the sky without warning.
It’s important to get into the habit of regularly checking the condition of your drone thoroughly to ensure it’s in a fit condition to fly before you set off. Below we’ve provided a few pointers on things to look out for that are common causes of drone crashes:
Check you have sufficient GPS signal
Check your battery packs are secure and fully charged
Check your compass is correctly tuned and does not require calibration
Check there is no damage to any ports
Check for any loose wires
Check your rotors/propellers are in good condition and have not bent out of shape or become damaged
3. Use the right landing pad or surface for taking off and landing
You are most susceptible of crashing your drone at the point of take-off and landing. It’s therefore important that you choose a landing pad or surface that is:
Dry to prevent moisture getting into the motors, sensors and electronics
Clear of any dust or debris
Flat and stable to allow your drone to calibrate effectively
4. Hover your drone before setting off
We also recommend hovering your drone a few metres from the ground for a minute or two during take-off to enable your battery to sufficiently warm up and allow you to check everything is in full working order before you commence your flight. This allows you to quickly and safely return your drone to the ground if you do identify an issue.
5. Make sure your batteries are fully charged
Always ensure your batteries are fully charged before take-off and wherever possible try to avoid flying with low or partially charged batteries. Whilst you may think you have enough power to complete your flight safely with a semi-charged battery, it always carries the increased risk of losing power mid-flight.
6. Keep an eye on your batteries throughout the flight
And whilst we are on the subject of batteries, it’s important to stay vigilant and keep an eye out for any unusual drone battery status activity throughout the flight. Remember, warm and cold temperatures can greatly reduce the chemical activity in lithium batteries, reducing flight times and potentially causing your batteries to become unstable.
7. Set your Return to Home (RTH) point
Everyone wants their drone to return back to them safely and without complications. Make sure that you have set a home point on your drone prior to take off with an altitude that is higher than any obstacles within the area that you can activate in case of emergency. Tip: you will need at least 4 GPS signal bars on your drone.
8. Avoid hitting the Return To Home (RTH) button too quickly
When you start to lose control of your drone, it’s natural to start feeling anxious and quickly hit the RTH button to get it back to safety. However, it’s important to remember that most consumer drones will simply trace a straight line back to the home point and are unable to avoid obstacles. Try to remain calm and look at the surroundings and any obstructions you can see, as well as considering any different options available to you, before pressing that button.
9. Know which direction you are heading in
We know this may seem obvious, but this tip is particularly useful for beginner flyers. When your drone is flying high in the air and visibility may be reduced by conditions such as low sun, it can sometimes be difficult to identify which side is which, making it easy to mistake the tail end for the nose and causing misdirection. Proceed cautiously until you determine the direction and redirect the drone if you need to.
10. Don’t over-rely on your obstacle detection sensors
Whilst we completely see the benefits that obstacle avoidance systems offer to drone operators, they cannot fully replace the eagle-eyes and judgement of a pilot. Remember their sensors are still susceptible to missing smaller obstacles, such as small branches. So always proceed with caution and do not over-rely on this technology.
The Department for Transport has issued guidance intended to help the maritime industry to understand aerial drone technologies, the potential threat to maritime vessels and options to mitigate the threat. It focuses on aerial drone threats and associated response options.
Aerial drones offer many use cases for the civilian maritime industry, including but not limited to:
inspection and surveying assets – for example, inspecting the hull or mast of a ship, or port infrastructure, as part of an asset maintenance program, reducing the need for people to access hazardous areas
cleaning difficult to reach areas of a vessel
capturing images and recording videos of a vessel for media advertising purposes
monitoring emissions and taking air quality readings in busy shipping lanes and near ports
supporting search and rescue missions in maritime emergency situations
delivery of cargo such as critical spares or medical supplies as part of logistics for shipping operations
Unfortunately, their accidental or deliberate misuse can present threats to commercial maritime vessels. Aerial drones have been used maliciously in events that have led to disruption and harm. An extreme example of this is using military grade or weaponised commercial drones, as seen in the attacks on the MV Mercer Street and the Pacific Zircon vessels.
Contents of the Guidance
Overview
Introduction to drone technologies
Current aerial drone technologies
Future drone technologies
Drone threats to commercial maritime vessels
Mitigating drone threats to maritime vessels
Introduction to counter drone technologies
Counter drone technologies
Evaluating counter drone technology for use in the maritime domain
How Drones can Support the Boom in Offshore Wind: webinar watch again
An online workshop on how drones are being used to support INTOG and Scotwind projects in northern Scotland so that windfarm developers can keep their projects on track and on budget without spending thousands in secondary inspections.
About the Speaker:
Matt Harmsworth
In the vibrant 1980s, young Matthew’s weekends were captivated by the high-octane adventures unfolding on his television screen: Murdoch’s aerial exploits, Street Hawk’s daring leaps, Knight Rider’s thrilling chases, and Blue Thunder’s chaotic flights. The excitement sparked a fire within him — a dream to soar the skies as an Army Air Corp helicopter pilot.
However, fate had other plans. At the tender age of 15, Matthew’s dreams were momentarily grounded by less-than-perfect eyesight.
Undeterred, Matthew channeled his adventurous spirit into a new endeavor. Just before his GCSEs, he embraced a fresh path, training as a countryside ranger. His boundless energy and relentless determination led him to establish and operate a thriving tree surgery company in Surrey for a decade.
In 2012, upon moving to the picturesque northern highlands of Scotland, Matthew stumbled upon the fascinating world of drones.
It was a serendipitous discovery that propelled him into a new realm of possibilities. Establishing the ROAVR Group, Matthew embarked on a globetrotting journey, immersing himself in the exhilarating domain of aerial robotics. His endeavors transcended the ROAVR Group, as he became a linchpin in ARPAS-UK, significantly impacting the regulatory framework for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). His engagement with governmental bodies, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the Department for Transport (DFT), and international forums concerning the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), underscored his prowess in advocacy, negotiation, and diplomacy.
With the advent of the Scotwind leasing round, Matthew’s ingenious contributions were pivotal in fortifying wind developers’ assets. He spearheaded the creation of i-ROAVR, a revolutionary system first deployed in the Seagreen Project, and subsequently on Moray West, setting new benchmarks in asset protection.
Now, as a distinguished author, speaker, and consultant, Matthew’s wealth of knowledge and experience is an invaluable resource. He is available for personal consulting and speaking engagements, which can be arranged through this website.
Aviation Safety Culture: Fostering a Positive Safety Culture within the Drone Industry Webinar watch again
Safety culture is not just about following rules and ticking boxes; it is about creating a shared value of safety as a core principle within an organisation for its people and the business to thrive. Safety culture is part of a wider organisational culture, but has its own distinct values, beliefs and behaviours. To establish, manage and maintain an effective safety culture it is necessary to understand these safety related values, beliefs and behaviours, and how they influence safety performance.
This webinar will introduce safety culture and its importance across multiple industries, highlighting key benefits and impacts. In addition, we will review industry challenges to a positive culture for those new to the aviation community.
Speaker:
Sarah Lay, BSc (Hons), PGDip, GCGI, MRAeS
Senior Consultant, Ebeni Ltd
Sarah’s experience within the aviation domain has given her a broad experience set, which has fed her passion for this industry and its combination of innovative technology and human interaction. Throughout her career, Sarah is proud to have been able to contribute to its development and improvement in areas such as safety management, safety training, safety culture and human performance. Whilst focussing on managing and delivering safety and operational efficiency improvement initiatives, she has a keen interest in understanding wider societal implications such as environmental, safety, security and economic impacts.
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CAA: CAP722G Released
CAP722G: Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – Specific Category UAS Modification Policy
The aim is to allow certain technical changes to be made to the UAS during the validity period of an Operational Authorisation, without the need to apply to the CAA for a variation in the OA. It is intended specifically for companies doing R&D activities, however any operator could also include in its Ops Manual the relevant process enabling that implementation of minor technical changes.
CAP722G provides a definition and associated processes for a technical change to an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), which is described in Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2019/947 AMC1 UAS.SPEC.030(2).
Aim CAP 722G provides a definition and associated processes for a technical change to an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), which is described in Assimilated Regulation (EU) 2019/947 AMC1 UAS.SPEC.030(2).
UAS.SPEC.030(2) requires a UAS Operator to apply for an update to their Operational Authorisation following any significant change to the operation.
AMC1 to this regulation currently sets out that a technical change may be considered a significant change.
This policy sets out that some technical changes are not significant, and so do not require a variation to an OA, as described in figure 1.
