Govt unveils Future of Flight plan to revolutionise General Aviation

General Aviation as we know it is heading for a very different future according to the Future of Flight Action Plan, announced by the Department for Transport today (18 March).

The plan, which can be downloaded here, sets out a roadmap for flying taxis, drones and new electric aircraft in the UK. The drone industry alone is estimated to reach a value of £45 billion  by 2030.

• Skyports to build vertiport for eVTOLs at Bicester Aerodrome

Aviation and Technology Minister Anthony Browne said, “Cutting-edge battery technology will revolutionise transport as we know it – this plan will make sure we have the infrastructure and regulation in place to make it a reality.

“From flying taxis to emergency service drones, we’re making sure the UK is at the forefront of this dramatic shift in transportation – improving people’s lives and boosting the economy.”

Coventry had its own vertiport for a month as a demo (but no eVTOLs). There’s an opportunity here for small airfields

The plan includes:

• Allowing drones to fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) so that the sector can grow without limiting the skies for other aircraft
• Breathing life into smaller aerodromes by setting out how they can operate as vertiports for electric aircraft that take off vertically (sometimes known as electric vertical take-off and landing or eVTOL aircraft)
• Developing standards to improve security for drones to boost public safety
• Engaging communities and Local Authorities so that they can enjoy the economic and social benefits of these technologies.

West Midlands Police are using drones. Photo: WMP

Two case studies are described by the DfT:

1. West Midlands Police use of drones to tackle violent crime and anti-social behaviour
2. NHS drone partner Skyfarer working with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust tested drones to deliver surgical implants and pathology samples between sites.

Govt timeline for change 1: Drones

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Govt timeline for change 2: eVTOLs

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The Future of Flight Action Plan comes ahead of the fifth meeting of the Future of Flight Industry Group, a joint force established in February 2023.

Duncan Walker, Chief Executive of Skyports and Chairman of the Future of Flight Industry Group said, “The UK is home to one of the world’s most important aerospace industries and is in an ideal position to be a pioneer in the next era of aviation.

“The government and industry have a joint commitment to support the development, industrialisation and introduction of new aviation technologies. Continued collaboration will ensure that we capitalise on the significant domestic and international market opportunities presented by the future of flight.”

Future of Flight

Exciting news from the @transportgovuk as they unveil the UK Government Future of Flight Action Plan, paving the way for flying taxis and routine emergency services drones by 2028 – making aviation quieter, safer and sustainable. ?? https://t.co/FVzZAIkGO9.

— Vertical Aerospace (@VerticalAero) March 18, 2024