Author: Elena

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Next call for Airspace Modernisation Strategy Proposals is announced by CAA

Airspace Modernisation Strategy Support Fund: Financial support to UK aviation industry stakeholders in modernising UK airspace

The Airspace Modernisation Strategy Support Fund (ASF) is a financial initiative by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) designed to assist UK aviation industry stakeholders in advancing the nation’s airspace modernization efforts. Building upon the previous Future Airspace Strategy Facilitation Fund, the ASF aims to support projects that benefit multiple stakeholders or conduct research facilitating broader industry implementation.

Funding Allocation and Application Process:

The CAA administers the fund through a grant process, with bi-annual calls for project proposals. Funding proposals must align with the overall objectives of the Airspace Modernisation Strategy. Applicants are responsible for engaging with relevant industry stakeholders and presenting an evidence-based business case to the ASF Advisory Board. The Advisory Board reviews and provides feedback before submission to the ASF Decision Board, which includes members from the AMS Assurance Group and airline representatives.

Benefits of Applying:

  • Financial Support: The ASF offers funding opportunities for projects that align with the Airspace Modernisation Strategy (AMS) objectives, particularly those that cannot secure financing through other means.
  • Collaborative Engagement: Applicants are encouraged to engage with relevant industry stakeholders, fostering collaboration and ensuring comprehensive support for proposed initiatives.
  • Structured Application Process: The CAA administers the fund through a grant process, with bi-annual calls for project proposals. This structured approach provides applicants with clear timelines and procedures for submission and evaluation.

By participating in the ASF, organizations can contribute to the UK’s airspace modernization, leading to enhanced safety, efficiency, and environmental sustainability in aviation operations.

Deadline for applications: 10 March 2025

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10 February 2025

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Drone Related Jobs as at 11 February 2025

Disclaimer: All jobs posted here are from LinkedIn and other job sites including member and non-member organizations. Drone related jobs.

Skyports Infrastructure is looking for a Remote Pilot

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Infinite Services by Skyfarer are looking to recruit flexible Remote Pilots with a GVC.

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UK AirComms is looking for a Telcoms Drone Pilot

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Vertical Aerospace is looking for a Test Operations Lead.

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MARSS is looking to recruit a UAS Engineer & a Software Engineer: Autonomous Systems.

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NATS are looking to recruit a Head of Safety, Regulatory & Policy.

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Dronamics are recruiting a Senior Aerospace Manufacturing Engineer.

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Certo Aerospace are looking to recruit a Graduate Aerospace Design Engineer.

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Altitude Angel are looking to recruit a Technical Product Delivery Manager.

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Plowman Craven are looking to recruit a UAV Lead.

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Windworkx are looking to recruit a UK Onshore Drone Pilot

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11 February 2025

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CAA updates CAP 722D: UAS Ops in UK Airspace – Abbreviations and Master Glossary

This is the fourth edition of CAP 722D: UAS Operations in UK Airspace – Abbreviations and Master Glossary. It is a full document review and update.

Aim
CAP 722D is the abbreviations list and glossary of terms and for all documents in the CAP 722 series and is the single source of reference. This document also contains additional abbreviations and terms that may be useful for the UAS Regulated Community. This document does not replace definitions and abbreviations contained in relevant UAS Regulations.

Content
The terminology relating to UAS operations continues to evolve and therefore the abbreviations and glossary of terms sections are not exhaustive. Terms and definitions in this document are drawn from a combination of applicable UAS regulation, emerging ICAO definitions, EASA and other ‘common use’ terms which are considered to be acceptable alternatives. Where possible, a reference has been provided, in italics below the definition.

CAP 722D

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4 February 2025

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DCRO White Paper on The Probability of a UAS Flyaway

The Dutch Association of Certified RPAS Operators (DCRO) conducted an industry study to challenge the assumptions in the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) 2.5 framework regarding the probability of a UAS flyaway. Based on real-world data, DCRO argues that the risk of a flyaway is significantly lower than currently estimated by regulators.

  • Current Assumptions Are Overestimated:
    • SORA 2.5 assumes that a UAS will leave its operational volume once in 1,000 flight hours and experience a flyaway once in 10,000 flight hours.
    • DCRO’s data suggests the actual probability is 100 times lower, with a UAS leaving its operational area around 1 in 100,000 flight hours and a flyaway occurring in 1 in 1,000,000 flight hours.
  • Data Sources & Methodology:
    • Data was collected from 37 DCRO member companies, four major foreign operators, and DJI (for enterprise models).
    • The dataset spans from 2011 to 2023, covering 1.4 million flight hours.
    • Only one confirmed flyaway was recorded in the dataset, equating to a probability of 1.41e-6.
    • DJI provided model-specific data, confirming an average probability of 1.75e-5 for a UAS leaving its operational volume.
  • Professional Operators vs. Hobbyists:
    • The study focuses on professional drone operators who follow strict operational procedures and maintenance protocols.
    • The findings do not apply to recreational or non-certified operators, where the probability of incidents is likely higher.

Regulatory Concerns

  • Overly Conservative Containment Measures:
    • The ground risk buffer under SORA 2.5 is considered excessive for professional operators.
    • Flight Termination Systems (FTS), often required for containment, may increase safety risks due to malfunctions, potentially leading to uncontrolled crashes.
  • Lack of Industry-Wide Data Collection:
    • Currently, no European regulatory authority systematically collects UAS safety data.
    • DCRO calls for mandatory, standardized data collection across EU member states.

Recommendations

  1. Improve Data Collection:
    • EASA and national CAAs should establish uniform reporting standards for UAS incidents.
    • Data should include not only flyaways but also crashes, technical failures, and human errors.
  2. Adjust Containment Requirements:
    • Given the extremely low probability of a flyaway, the current SORA containment framework should be revised.
    • Flight Termination Systems should not be mandated for professional operators in the Specific Category.

Conclusion

The probability of a UAS flyaway is significantly lower than what regulators assume. The current SORA 2.5 containment rules create unnecessary burdens for professional operators without a corresponding safety benefit. DCRO urges regulatory changes to align risk assessments with real-world data.

Find out more about DCRO

250106-Probability-of-UAS-Flyaway DCRODownload

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6 January 2025

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Protected: FPV Training Fleet: MOD Expression of Interest

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Bird & Bird: UAS Roundtable: 6 February 2025

Timing: 6 February 2025 16.00-18.00

Location: Bird & Bird London, 12 Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1JP

Bird & Bird recognises it has been a long time since they hosted their last event, and would be delighted for you to join them at our upcoming UAS Roundtable event in the New Year. 

Bird & Bird’s UAS Roundtable provides a forum for those working in the UAS industry to network in an informal environment, explore industry trends and exchange views on matters of common interest.

Anyone interested in joining this event please contact Helen Barker or Simon Phippard at Bird & Bird

Agenda

1600 Arrival & Registration

16.30-18.00: Roundtable discussion, with a short break   

  • Discussion 1: Law Commission Consultation on Aviation Autonomy
  • Discussion 2: Leveraging Data

18.00 Refreshments

Discussion 1:

Law Commission Consultation on Aviation Autonomy

One constantly hears a range of views on the adequacy of law and regulation affecting UAS and the AAM sectors. Too much regulation or not enough? Is it sufficiently detailed for novel technology or does it hold back an emerging sector? Bird & Bird are therefore very pleased that Connor Champ from the Law Commission has accepted our invitation to discuss their consultation on Aviation Autonomy. You may recall that Bird & Bird wrote on the subject in May 2024 Aviation Autonomy – a New Legal Order? – Bird & Bird in interviews with Chris Daniels of Flarebright and Gareth Beverley, until recently of Consortiq, who have also kindly agreed to join Simon Phippard and Hannah Moran-Ellis to summarise their views. Bird & Bird looks forward to hearing from the Law Commission on the next phase of the consultation.

Discussion 2: Leveraging Data

In a world where data may be the new oil, many drone operators are, in reality, data analytics businesses. With this in mind, emerging legislation on gathering, processing and granting access to data is of growing importance. To inject an international perspective, Simon and Hannah will also be joined on this occasion by Berend van der Eijk, Partner in Bird & Bird’s practice in the Netherlands, to brief on the EU Data Act and how this may impact those closely engaged in the data business.

Hosts:

  • Simon Phippard, Of Counsel, UK
  • Hannah Moran-Ellis, Legal Director, UK
  • Berend van der Eijk, Partner, Netherlands

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20 January 2025

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Protected: SSE require UAV suppliers for their framework

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Drone Related Jobs as at 24 January 2025

Disclaimer: All jobs posted here are from LinkedIn and other job sites including member and non-member organizations. Drone Related Jobs.

Aspira Aerial Applications Ltd are looking to recruit a Drone/UAV manufacturing and development engineer.

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Callen-Lenz are looking to recruit for multiple positions.

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Coptrz are looking to recruit a Head of Training

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Malloy Aeronautics Ltd are looking to recruit a Senior UAV Modelling Performance Engineer.

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World Bank Group: Open Knowledge Repository – Playbook for Enabling Civilian Drone Operations

The Playbook for Enabling Civilian Drone Operations by the World Bank outlines a comprehensive roadmap for establishing drone ecosystems in emerging economies, with a specific focus on Africa. Its goal is to harness drone technologies to address critical infrastructure gaps, improve service delivery, and promote sustainable development.

Key Objectives

The document emphasizes drones as tools to bridge urban-rural divides, enhance supply chains, and enable critical services in areas like healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure management. It presents insights drawn from African experiences, including the Lake Victoria Challenge (Tanzania) and the Lake Kivu Challenge (Rwanda), making the guide globally applicable despite its regional focus.

Framework Overview

The playbook structures its guidance across four phases:

  1. Feasibility: Assessing use-case needs, opportunity costs, and community acceptance while evaluating drone platforms and business models.
  2. Planning: Developing regulatory frameworks, training programs, harmonization strategies, airspace management, and infrastructure like droneports.
  3. Setup: Addressing operational safety, risk management, and concept-of-operations (ConOps) preparation for regulatory compliance.
  4. Operations & Sustainability: Ensuring sustainable practices through ongoing monitoring, impact assessments, and environmental considerations.

Challenges and Solutions

Key barriers include:

  • Inadequate regulatory frameworks.
  • Limited local training and operational capacity.
  • Airspace management complexities.
  • High setup and operational costs.

The guide recommends tailored regulatory reforms, multi-stakeholder collaboration, and leveraging public-private partnerships to overcome these hurdles. It highlights the need for community buy-in, robust training, and data-driven evaluations for long-term success.

Applications

The playbook explores use cases in:

  • Healthcare: Accelerating the delivery of vaccines, diagnostic samples, and life-saving commodities to remote areas.
  • Urban Planning: Enhancing land administration through efficient data collection and mapping.
  • Disaster Management: Supporting emergency response and recovery efforts with rapid situational assessments.

Conclusion

This playbook serves as a strategic guide for policymakers, private sector stakeholders, and development agencies. It underscores the transformative potential of drones in fostering economic growth, resilience, and equitable service delivery while addressing regulatory and operational complexities.

Access the Report

The Report was written by the World Bank consultants Gregor Engelmann, David Guerin, Denise Soesilo, and George Mulamula. Members of the extended team — Ayman A.O. Ali (Senior Transport Specialist, Transport—East Africa), Tautvydas Juškauskas (UNICEF Supply Division, ISG-UAS) and Jonathan Slater (Blue Globe Innovation) — provided invaluable contributions to the book.

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15 January 2025

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StirlingX joins HS2 new Innovation Accelerator focusing on rail systems and future maintenance

StirlingX is delighted to announce that they have been selected to join HS2’s seventh Innovation Accelerator programme.

The programme aims to develop new railway technologies and harness the latest innovations and ideas from outside the industry to support the reliability and robustness of the operational railway. Working in partnership with Connected Places Catapult and the Department for Transport, HS2 has chosen six technology-focused UK-based companies to develop fresh ideas to meet the Accelerator’s three challenges of automating asset management, maximising site productivity, and future-proofing operations. StirlingX is pleased to be one of these six companies.

Since its launch in September 2020, the Innovation Accelerator has supported 37 small businesses through six cohorts, which have collectively secured 29 pilot projects across HS2. These businesses have raised over £220 million in investment and funding, and more than doubled their headcount since participating – creating over 430 new jobs in the UK. 

Throughout the 20-week on the programme StirlingX will be working with HS2 and its partners to refine and showcase their technology offering. They are thrilled to be a part of this journey and are looking forward to collaborating with partners and champions to support the delivery of HS2, ensure the safety and efficiency of the UK’s critical national infrastructure, and contribute to the national prosperity agenda.

Connected Places Catapult’s Ecosystem Director for Rail and Stations, Dr Alan Peters said:

“I’m delighted to see the innovative solutions coming forward through the HS2 Accelerator. This programme is supporting small businesses to develop solutions that will enhance asset management, safeguard critical systems, and boost on-site efficiency. These advancements are vital for ensuring safer, more efficient operations that can meet the demands of tomorrow’s rail network.”

StirlingX empowers customers to make critical decisions using multi-sensor data from drones.

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StirlingX is an ARPAS-UK Member.

20 January 2025