8 June 2023
The drone industry is ramping up pressure on the UK government to make the drone ecosystem more effective with 12 months, calling the current policy “confusing and unclear”.
What’s really required, according to research from GSMA Intelligence backed by BT Group, is permission to fly drones Beyond Visual Line of Sight “at scale”.
The report says: “Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone capability underpins a successful drone industry and its applications.
“Although the UK has a BVLOS policy, it was found to be confusing and unclear among the raft of companies and start-ups testing or seeking deployment of their services at scale.
“The implementation guidelines need to be simplified and modernised. And a supporting regulatory framework that includes Unmanned Aircraft Traffic System Management (UTM), safety standards and training – must be a priority.”
Chart comparing the UK’s drone readiness with other nations. Image: GSMA Intelligence
The report’s authors also call for “pro-innovation regulations and a pro-growth regulatory culture” from the CAA.
“The UK has a window that is as narrow as 12 months to set the regulations and guidance that will help the sector thrive,” continues the report.
“Many advanced economies expect drone regulations to be in place by 2024–2025, a date that the UK must also meet to remain competitive in developing home-grown technology for domestic use and in export markets.”
Tim Hatt of GSMA Intelligence, added, “The challenge for the UK is that, despite huge progress in drone development, regulation has not kept pace and the country therefore scores only 62 out of 100 on overall market readiness, placing it behind European peers and others such as Japan.”
?We’ve granted @sees_ai with permission to fly drones Beyond the Visual Line of Sight.
This is a significant step forward for #drone technology and how we safely incorporate drones into the airspace.
This is a major part of our work to support UK innovation.@nationalgrid pic.twitter.com/3vy3wi5z8p
— UK Civil Aviation Authority (@UK_CAA) June 6, 2023
Coincidentally (or not), the UK CAA has announced that one drone company, sees.ai, has this week received permission for BVLOS operations. The authority has also launched a new infographic to explain how the Airspace Modernisation Programme, which seeks to introduce BVLOS activity among a raft of airspace changes, is progressing.
Download the UK CAA Airspace Modernisation Infographic here
