Science & Technology Committee Inquiry into Commercial & Receational Use of Drones

Scope of the Inquiry:

This inquiry will look at the ethical and safety implications of the growing use of civilian drones, of all sizes, across the UK.

Drones have had a range of positive impacts across a variety of industries, from commercial photography and aerial surveying, through to crop spraying and parcel delivery. However, following increased recreational popularity, there have been several suspected drone incidents, including dozens of ‘near misses’ between drones and aircrafts.

Following two previous consultations on drone safety and security and incursions at Gatwick and Heathrow airports the Government is planning to bring forward a ‘Drones Bill’ in 2019.

Terms of reference: Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK

 

ARPAS-UK has submitted both written and oral evidence on behalf of its members.

 

For more information: Science & Technology Committee Inquiry into Commercial & Recreational Drone Use in the UK

Day 1 – 11th June 2019: Link to watch

  • 09:37:34

    Witnesses: Tim Johnson, Policy Director, Civil Aviation Authority, Richard Parker, Chief Executive Officer, Altitude Angel, and Anne-Lise Scaillierez, Financial Director, Association of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems UK

  • 10:58:16

    Witnesses: Professor James P. Scanlan, University of Southampton, Brendan Schulman, Vice President of Policy and Legal Affairs, DJI, and Sir Brian Burridge, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Aeronautical Society

 

Day 2 – 26th June 2019: Link to watch

  • 09:35:52

    Witnesses: Captain Tim Pottage, Chairman of RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) Working Group, British Airline Pilots Association, Andy Sage, Head of Unmanned Traffic Management, National Air Traffic Services, and Special Sergeant Kevin Taylor, Chief Pilot Lincolnshire Police Drone Unit, Lincolnshire Police

  • 10:43:30

    Witnesses: Elaine Whyte, Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Tris Dyson, Executive Director of the Centre for Challenge Prizes, Nesta, and Julia Jiggins, Head of Civil Avionics Strategy, Thales UK, Sean Cassidy, Director, Safety and Regulatory Affairs, Amazon Prime Air

 

Day 3 – 9th July 2019: Link to watch

  • 09:27:34

    Witnesses: Gemma Alcock, Founder, SkyBound Rescuer, David Phipps, Chief Executive, British Model Flying Association, and Professor David Dunn, International Politics, University of Birmingham

  • 10:35:51

    Witnesses: Baroness Vere of Norbiton, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, Department for Transport