FLY SMART, FLY SAFE
As cities and communities embrace a rapidly evolving future, Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) are becoming more than just buzzwords. These are transformative technologies with profound implications for local governance.
ARPAS-UK, in a pioneering collaboration with AAM4GOV, presents an enlightening online webinar tailored especially for local authority and council members. Dive deep into the world of drones and understand their pivotal role in the trajectory of UK’s industrial advancement.
Date: Tuesday, 21st November 2023
Time: 12:30 – 13:30
As AAM technologies, especially drones, begin to profoundly influence various industries, being informed and proactive is no longer just an advantage; it’s a necessity. Councils have a unique opportunity to be at the forefront, directing the urban landscapes of tomorrow.
Local government authorities are not merely regulators or observers in this transformative journey. They are the pilots, the navigators, the visionaries. With their intimate understanding of local wants and community needs, they are best placed to steer our cities and towns into the future of AAM.
Join us, as we together embark on this enlightening journey into the future of urban air mobility, ensuring our cities are not just participants but leaders in this global technological renaissance.
Meet The Speakers
Chair– Graham Brown
A dedicated advocate for integrating airspace for all users, Graham Brown stands as the distinguished Chairman of ARPAS-UK. His associations stretch far, being the co-chair of the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) C-UAV Advisory Group and a pivotal member of the UK Airspace Strategy Board. His involvement doesn’t end there; Graham is a part of the Drone Industry Action Group and many other organizations and working groups. Their collective aim? Developing opportunities, ensuring proportionate legislation, and spearheading the safe adoption of drones across various industries.
Consultant– Philip Butterworth-Hayes:
Specializing in aviation, Philip Butterworth-Hayes wears many hats – consultant, writer, editor, and more. With a rich history as the Managing Editor of Jane’s Transport Press and editor for several of Jane’s renowned publications, his expertise is sought after globally. His roles have also extended as the Director of Communications and Strategy at the Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation and as the current editor of Skyway. As the editorial director of PMI Media Limited, Philip’s influence in the aviation sector is undeniable. His insights have found their way to global media outlets, including heavyweights like BBC, CNN, and the Wall Street Journal.
Department of Transport- Sofia Stayte
Head of Future of Flight Policy at the Department for Transport (DfT) in the United Kingdom. With an impressive career spanning various government leadership roles, Sofia is a seasoned professional skilled in policy development, implementation, and analysis. Currently at the forefront of shaping the future of flight policy, she brings over six years of dedicated service to the DfT. Sofia’s extensive experience includes heading the Independent State Pension Age Review for the UK Government, leading innovative initiatives at the Department for Work and Pensions, and serving as a Team Leader for Private Pensions Policy. Her comprehensive background, coupled with her role as a member of the Future Flight Community Integration Group, showcases Sofia’s commitment to driving collaborative initiatives and fostering innovation in the aviation sector. We are honored to welcome Sofia Stayte as a distinguished guest speaker for our upcoming webinar.
Lawyer– Simon Phippard:
Bringing in over 25 years of experience in aviation law, Simon Phippard is an Of Counsel in Bird & Bird’s Aviation & Aerospace practice in London. From advising leading businesses in the aerospace sector to handling contracts between airlines, suppliers, and MROs, Simon’s portfolio is vast and varied. His stint at Rolls-Royce for seven years gave him an insider’s perspective into engine aftermarket services. Simon’s expertise also covers unmanned aerial systems, touching on technical regulation, liability, and supply chain challenges in this budding sector. As a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Freeman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Simon’s contributions to the aviation industry are immeasurable.
Police- Simon Bachelor
With an illustrious 29-year career as a dedicated police officer, Simon Bachelor currently serves as the Policy and Legislation Lead for Counter Drones at the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). His expertise extends across various operational and strategic roles with a primary focus on public safety and security. Since 2019, Simon has been embedded within the Home Office Counter Drones Unit, actively contributing to the UK’s Counter Unmanned Aircraft Strategy. As the team manager for NPCC Counter Drones, Simon plays a pivotal role in governing and coordinating UK police counter-drone efforts, collaborating across government agencies to strengthen policies and operational policing.
Unable to attend our live webinar? No problem! A recording will be available after the event. Simply sign up, and we’ll notify you when it’s ready to watch at your convenience.
By registering, you consent to us contacting you in the future with news and updates about drones. You can opt out at any time by emailing [email protected].
Join us for the upcoming ARPAS-UK 2-day workshops focused on BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line Of Sight) risk quantification. As we venture into the exciting realm of large-scale BVLOS flights in the UK, understanding the intricacies of risk quantification, especially within the context of SORA, is paramount.
Workshop Details:
Note: Each organisation is permitted to send only one attendee. For companies requiring training for larger groups, we offer private bookings.
For inquiries or further details, contact us at [email protected].
Workshop Dates & Locations:
Due to the exclusivity of this workshop, places are limited. We encourage early registration to secure your spot.
Watch below for an enlightening interview with Owen McAree. Learn about these essential courses and how they can shape your understanding and application in the drone industry.
Secure your place and be at the forefront of BVLOS flight safety and efficiency in the UK!
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) wishes to alert drone operators that airspace restrictions displayed on their devices and apps might not provide an accurate representation of the current UK airspace.
Before taking off, operators must ensure that their flights do not occur within these restricted areas unless they have the appropriate permissions.
The CAA strongly recommends that operators avoid relying on manufacturers’ inbuilt map software and apps. Instead, they should turn to alternatives that are based on the official source of airspace information.
For more details on the use of online maps and apps for flight planning, individuals can refer to the airspace alerting apps webpage. Additionally, the SN–2023/005 Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Geo-Awareness can be accessed on the official website.
“I went from novice to flying over volcanoes thanks to new ECITB drone course“
A college instructor loved the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board’s (ECITB) new drone course so much he went out and bought his own – and took it to Iceland to fly it over a volcano!
Julian Hoile, who works for NPTC Group of Colleges in Wales, believes the use of drones on industrial sites is “a huge step forward in engineering skills” and is urging the industry to embrace “the future” by signing up to the Foundation Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) training course.
He was invited to attend the pilot programme of the ECITB’s new course, which was created in close collaboration with the UK Drone Association, ARPAS-UK.
Following the success of the pilot programme, the ECITB launched the quality-assured training course for operating drones in industrial environments, with bookings now being taken by Approved Training Providers.
Global Drone Training delivered the week-long pilot programme at NPTC in south Wales, which was attended by staff from the college like Julian, as well as delegates from Sellafield and Network Rail.
The course, which involves a mixture of classroom work and practical flying, includes how to comply with site policies and procedures, and is assessed by a practical flight competence test, where operatives pilot a drone in a real environment and capture, store and share viable images.
Julian, who passed the course alongside college technician Levi Harris, says the course is ideal in taking people up to a consistent foundation level for flying drones on industrial sites.
“I’m really grateful I was chosen to be one of the guinea pigs to sit the course,” said Julian, who instructs apprentices in mechanical engineering at the college.
“There was a lot of information, and it was intense at times, but the team at Global Drone Training were amazing and extremely knowledgeable. They made it an interesting, fun and enjoyable course and I absolutely loved it – to the point that I went out and bought my own drone!
“You learn about all the things you need to do or check, like pre-flight checking, the weather, the environment, where you can and can’t fly, and different types of drones.
“For anyone daunted about doing it, I’m 60 years of age and the only drone flying I’d done before this was literally just around a field for 10 minutes, but this is something I was able to come to terms with as they don’t rush you.
“I think everybody could do it, it’s just about showing the right commitment and attitude.”
Drone course ‘can make a real difference in industry’
The interest in using drones across industry is growing rapidly due to their flexibility, the safety benefits, increased efficiency for workers, cost savings and a reduction in asset downtime for inspections. Yet, until now, no consistent training existed for operators to use drones within an industrial setting.
The ECITB developed the training to provide a consistent quality standard for all industrial drone operators, with the course providing an understanding of drone functionality and how to conduct operations on industrial sites, safely, effectively and efficiently.
“This is a whole new way of looking at fault finding within the industry,” added Julian. “Workers can be a lot safer as they are not exposing themselves to risk by going into dangerous areas.
“I would definitely say it’s a huge step forward in engineering skills. It’s the future as it’s so much safer, saves time and the footage you get back from the camera is incredible.”
Julian was invited on the course as he’d shown an interest, having previously built an underwater tethered drone as part of some of his work helping the college’s own drone academy.
NPTC Group of Colleges, which is one of the largest further education providers in Wales, was part of a working group to help get the ECITB foundation drone course off the ground.
Jayne Jones, Head of the Business Development Unit at the college, said: “The pilot course provided our learners with the skills needed to pilot drones in high-risk environments.
“This year has seen some significant growth for our Drone Academy. With the emerging and broad skills needs of industry – especially in relation to our Net Zero Academy – the College Group has been working with respected and trusted experts in the field of drone technology and skills to expand our offer.
“This, in conjunction with the team at the ECITB, has seen ground-breaking drone course development that we believe can make a real difference in industry, not only with the advancement of skills in piloting drones, but in making practices safer, economical and sustainable.”
Find out more about the ECITB Foundation UAS Course here: Foundation Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Training Course – ECITB
AAM4Gov, the AAM Academy for UK City and Local Governments has launched the first on-line courses to support UK local authorities engage with the drone and advanced air mobility industries to save lives, improve delivery of council services and reduce carbon emissions whilst also ensuring communities are protected from illegal and inconsiderate use of drones.
Brighton, October 24, 2023 AAM4Gov, the AAM Academy for UK City and Local Governments, has announced the launch of the first courses on its learning platform focused on closing the skills gap among local authorities in developing new policies to optimise drone and future electric air taxi services, part of the new advanced air mobility (AAM) transport revolution.
AAM4Gov is supported by the UK Research and Innovation Future Flight Challenge, delivered by Innovate UK and the Economic and Social Research Council, having won funding from the “Future Flight: closing the skills gaps” competition.
“While many councils have been using drones for years to reduce survey and maintenance costs and support first responders – such as fire services, police and coast guard units – in saving lives, new technology developments are about to rapidly increase the number and capabilities of drones in the skies above us,” said Philip Butterworth- Hayes, editorial director of AAM4Gov. “The first electric air taxis will fly in Europe next year, while drones will soon be delivering defibrillators, medicines and pizzas to households throughout the UK. For councils, this is an opportunity and a challenge. Our remote learning courses have been designed to help local authorities more easily and quickly develop policies to optimise the benefits and reduce the risks.”
The first three courses now available are:
Further courses scheduled for November are:
Courses are designed to meet the needs of local authority senior decision makers and those involved in policy making, planning, first responders, estate management and surveying, transport, environment and social services.
Interested? Register at AAM4Gov.com and enrol to get full access to the initial courses which are available for free for a limited introductory period.
ARPAS-UK members BT, Sees.ai, Skylift and Skyfarer have collaborated to pioneer in telecommunications, unveiling the launch of the UK’s inaugural Drone SIM. This cutting-edge technology is set to unlock the full potential of beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations throughout the United Kingdom.
The Drone SIM, designed to function seamlessly via the EE network, offers unlimited data plans and continuous connectivity while soaring through the skies. It boasts robust construction that can withstand vibration, extreme temperatures, and humidity, making it suitable for year-round drone usage. Initially, BT’s business customers will reap the benefits of this transformative technology, which has the potential to revolutionize a multitude of industries. From the swift delivery of medical supplies to infrastructure monitoring and efficient transportation of goods, the applications are boundless.
Leveraging the BT Group’s EE network, the Drone SIM enjoys high-priority, ultra-responsive connectivity. This ensures safety, precise control, telemetry, and the ability to stream ultra-high-definition (UHD) video content at altitude. This breakthrough empowers drone users to capture detailed, survey-grade imagery and videos, facilitating various applications, from search and rescue missions to infrastructure inspections.
The Drone SIM represents a remarkable leap forward in drone flight capabilities. With the broadest geographic coverage in the UK, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can now travel significant distances, fully unleashing their capabilities, all while maintaining continuous communication with remote pilots and safety systems. This marks a profound departure from the previous limitations imposed by line-of-sight radio transmission or local Wi-Fi connectivity.
Etc., the digital start-up and incubation arm of the BT Group, has played a pivotal role in driving innovation in the drone industry. Their historic collaborations, including a £5 million deal with Altitude Angel to develop the UK’s first drone superhighway, exemplify their commitment to advancing drone technology. The launch of the Drone SIM follows a series of successful trials and developments by the Etc. team. These trials encompassed critical infrastructure inspections with drone technology provider sees.ai, the validation of BVLOS mission safety standards in integrated airspace with turnkey Uncrewed Aerial System providers Skylift, and even powered a groundbreaking drone medical delivery trial with aerial logistics specialist Skyfarer.
Dave Pankhurst, Director of Drones at BT, expressed his excitement, stating, “Following the successful trials of our Drone SIM over the past year, this announcement is a huge stepping stone in bringing drone connectivity to businesses across the UK, unlocking potential for more efficient processes, business transformation and, with the ability to power search and rescue missions and medical deliveries, helping to save lives.”
Eduardo Aldaz-Carroll, Chief Technology Officer at sees.ai, emphasized the significance of drone inspections for critical national energy infrastructure. He said, “Drones offer significant benefits by increasing the speed, efficiency, and consistency of data capture so we can predict the future state of the asset with reduced risk and environmental impact. It’s great to be working with BT Group to develop the technologies required to roll out BVLOS drone inspection and monitoring at scale.”
Nick Ruggles, Chief Technology Officer at Skylift, acknowledged the game-changing impact of BT’s Telecoms Grade C2 links, stating, “BT’s Telecoms Grade C2 links have halved our deployment setup times. With recurring costs at just 14% of other systems and virtually zero infrastructure expenses, this is a game changer for us.”
Georgia Hanrahan, Chief Operations Officer at Skyfarer, highlighted the efficiency gains, saying, “With the Drone SIM powering BVLOS flight, we can take a 20-minute flight between two hospitals and reduce this to a more direct 8-minute flight. Perfect for time-sensitive deliveries. We estimate a wider scale roll out nationwide could reduce our delivery time by 60% compared to road transport.”
The Drone SIM is now available for purchase via the BT website.
In a remarkable partnership, British UAV manufacturer Evolve Dynamics and radar technology specialist Cambridge Sensoriis have achieved a historic milestone in the world of autonomous drone technology. Together, they have successfully executed the world’s first fully autonomous drone landing, thanks to the integration of Cambridge Sensoriis’ ARC radar sensor devices with Evolve Dynamics’ Sky Mantis UAV. This groundbreaking achievement allows for autonomous landing, loitering, and zonal position holding, all without the reliance on other sensors, making it especially well-suited for GPS-denied environments.
Laurence Mallinson, Chief Commercial Officer at Evolve Dynamics, underlined the significance of this technological leap, stating, “Using radar pods that communicate with each other, our UAVs will be able to land autonomously in any weather, on a moving host platform, or in a GPS-denied environment. The key aspect of the system is that it is not reliant on visual navigation methods such as 2D barcodes or LEDs, and therefore is able to operate in adverse weather conditions and complete invisibility, such as fog or mist.”
The collaboration involves ground-based radar beacons from Cambridge Sensoriis establishing communication with an airside radar mounted within the Sky Mantis aircraft, providing precise positioning data to the autopilot.
This innovative technology empowers Evolve Dynamics’ Sky Mantis with robust positioning autonomy, enabling a wide range of operations, including vessel landing, loitering in both static and moving holding positions, and maintaining flight within defined corridors or zones. Thanks to Sensoriis’ radar capabilities, Sky Mantis can now launch from, follow, and land on moving vehicles or boats.
Steve Clark, CEO of Cambridge Sensoriis, expressed his excitement about the partnership, saying, “We’ve believed for some time that our radar-based positional information could add value to drone deployments, but it has taken the expertise and support of Evolve Dynamics to see that come to fruition with actual real-world autonomous maneuvering and landing. It’s a first for us. We’re delighted with the collaborative spirit of this partnership and the opportunity ahead.”
Mike Dewhirst, CEO of Evolve Dynamics, emphasized the importance of this achievement, saying, “This is a major step forward. To achieve resilient autonomy and positioning without existing infrastructure, such as GPS, is essential. This is critical in defense scenarios, where we already have a strong market presence, as well as for the general scalability of industry drone solutions that will require strong resilience and redundancy.”
This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant advancement in the field of autonomous drone technology and opens up exciting possibilities for various industries, including public safety, defense, and energy. Evolve Dynamics and Cambridge Sensoriis are committed to pushing the boundaries of UAV technology and contributing to a better future.
About Evolve Dynamics: Evolve Dynamics is a UK-based UAV/UAS design and manufacturing company that provides aircraft and software solutions to customers across industries, including public safety, defense, and energy. Their mission is to find solutions to real-world problems through UAV technology, focusing on user needs and contributing to a better future.
Most airports, airfields and spaceports have a flight restriction zone (FRZ) that applies to drones and unmanned aircraft.
In a recent drone podcast by the CAA, Tom Guest from the CAA RPAS team explains why these FRZs are in place and how they work. They also cover guidance for passengers who are travelling with a drone and what to be aware of when you’re at the airport. You’ll also hear from Gatwick Airport’s Stable Operations Lead, Aaron Bassett, who explains what happens when their systems detect a drone and the impact this can have on airport operations.
The podcast is available from the CAA Drone Safety series.
The Digitising Specific Category Operations (DiSCO) project is an important programme run by the CAA to digitize the Operational Authorisation process, so that the submission and review of OAs can be essentially automated – a gain in time and efficiency. Beyond the pure IS/IT project, they are reviewing several aspects of Operational Authorisations in the context of a transition to SORA. Hence the objective of setting up 4 working groups with stakeholders on:
+/ risk assessment and the implementation of the SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) methodology in the UK
+/ Pilot competence, a follow-up to the consultation that closed end August
+/ Flightworthiness, where operators can demonstrate the robustness of their RPAS through an assessment by an external Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE) and use that argument as a risk mitigation ( like class-marking in the Specific Category).
+/ The new online application tool, ie User Experience, ease of use of the IS/IT tool itself
WE THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT SCHEME AND WILL ISSUE A SEPARATE POST TO CALL FOR EXPERTS TO JOIN OUR MIRROR WORKING GROUPS IN ORDER TO SHAPE OUR POSITIONS.
Publication from the CAA:
“Our DiSCO project will transform risk assessment for Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in the Specific Category, comprising of 4 key elements: SORA, pilot competence, flightworthiness, and the new technical platform.
To ensure that the needs and expectations of stakeholders align with the development and implementation of the new platform, we are establishing the DiSCO Stakeholder Working Group. This will help facilitate engagement, consultation and collaboration between the CAA and industry and operator stakeholders, also helping the CAA maintain its high standard of safety, promotion of efficiency and innovation in Specific Category operations of RPAS.
Visit the CAA’s application centre to find out more or to apply to be a member of the working group.”