CAA

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Drone Specialist COPTRZ working with BT on their drone strategy

Drone Specialist COPTRZ working with BT on their drone strategy

BT is pushing ahead with its adoption of drone technology and the training of its people. This is where COPTRZ came in.

As a leading CAA registered RAE’s (Recognised Assessment Entities), BT chose COPTRZ for their
capability to provide not only drone pilot training but also additional bespoke wraparound training solutions.

In addition, COPTRZ have supplied state-of-the-art and drone technology from a number of different
manufacturers with a range of models for different tasks encountered.

COPTRZ initially curated a bespoke training week for a number of trainee pilots at BT’s site in Hereford.
After an intensive week, 10 students successfully graduated as pilots with a number of recommendations
that soon followed.

Richard Coles, BT Drone Solutions Field Systems Manager, said “Coptrz provided us with great expertise in our GVC training and procurement of Drones. They have a great team and give huge amounts of support where needed, we look forward to continuing working with them in the future”

Co-founder of COPTRZ, Steve Coulson commented – “We are excited and proud to work with BT as an
organisation looking to benefit from the huge advantages drone technology brings. We look forward to continuing to support BT with ongoing training and technology”

COPTRZ are a UK-based drone solutions provider for organisations wishing to adopt drone technology and the benefits it brings in terms of productivity, safety and cost savings. This ranges across, airframes, payloads, software, peripherals and training.

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Open category transition period extended to 1 Jan 2026 and its implications

The Open Category transition period is extended in the UK to 1 January 2026 following a formal decision announced by the Department for Transport.

It follows the outcome of the CAA’s consultation published last June where 70+% of the 4500 respondents favoured an extension beyond twenty-four months. ARPAS-UK was in favour of a 24 months extension.

Presumably, respondents voted for the ability to use their legacy drones beyond December 2022… and may not have considered that the transition extension would also trigger the postponement of class marking drones in the UK.

To be fair, in Europe, the implementation of Class marking has also taken more time than anticipated. The transition period is extended to 1 January 2024. Identifying and nominating the notified bodies that would perform the homologation, defining precisely the standards for drone class identification labels and going through the process of certification with the drone manufacturers has taken time. We know of 2 CE marking drones to date:

  • In June 2022,  SenseFly announced that the eBee X Series Drones were the world’s  first to receive EASA’s C2 Certificate.
    • In August 2022, DJI announced that they were granted the world’s first C1 Drone Certificate for its DJI Mavic 3 series.
    • We understand that DJI was targeting the class marked C0 before year-end for its DJI Mini 3.

Coming back to the UK, our understanding is that the EU class marking has no UK legal recognition. Drone manufacturers sell global products and those drones will probably be sold on the UK market. Operators will enjoy the additional safety features, but it will not change the authorised operations and current thresholds:

  • 250g in the A1 subcategory, flying over uninvolved people, but not over crowds
    • 500g in  the A1 subcategory, no intentional flight over uninvolved people, with a A2 CofC theoretical test as a competency requirement
    • 2kg in  the A2 subcategory, flying no closer than 50m horizontally from uninvolved people, with a A2 CofC theoretical test as a competency requirement.

3 years is a long time… Although it can be difficult to wisely react in the heat of the moment, maybe we could collectively consider a review milestone mid-2024 at the latest, to collect return of experience 6 months after the end of the transition period in Europe. Engagement with the drone ecosystem could contribute to that review. Also,  addressing that stumbling block of identifying the UK organisations, the so-called “notified bodies”, that would deliver those class marking accreditation in the open, but also in the specific or certified categories.

ALS

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CAP2404: Outcome of the consultation on a draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy 2022–2040

CAP2404: Outcome of the consultation on a draft Airspace Modernisation Strategy 2022–2040

Follow this link to access the outcome of the AMS 2022-2040 Consultation undertaken by the CAA

 

CAP2404
ARPAS-UK Community
CAA
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The Use of Accurate and Complete UAS Aeronautical Information

A recent UK Airprox Board investigation and the CAA’s ongoing assessment of the mid-air collision(MAC) safety risk has shown that some service providers and UAS manufacturers are not using accurate and/or complete sources of Aeronautical Information. Using accurate and complete Aeronautical Information is a significant mitigation to the reduction of the MAC risk between UAS and manned aircraft.

It is hoped that you will agree that from both safety and business perspectives it makes sense to use the most up to date, accurate and complete Aeronautical Information in your services and products. This also prepares you for any additional future service and product requirements that may be developed in the UK. That is why that I would like to tell you where the official source of Aeronautical Information can be found, where to use it and to recommend where you should pay special attention.

Further details on best practices can be found in CAP779 (Chapter 1, Paragraph 1.35) which contains information for all organisations or individuals that process aeronautical information sourced from UK Aeronautical Information Products to help ensure that data maintains its integrity, is timely, complete and in a form suitable for users.

The official source of Aeronautical Information in the UK
The official source to obtain accurate and complete Aeronautical Information in the UK is the UK Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP).

Where to use Aeronautical Information
The CAA recommends that the official source of Aeronautical Information is used in online web applications, mobile applications, ground control stations and geofencing systems.

Areas of Aeronautical Information recommended for special attention
The CAA encourages special attention to the following sections, and recommends that relevant information from these sections is included within any mapping products for UAS operators and remote pilots. In addition, the CAA also encourages, where possible, the display of temporary airspace restrictions and other relevant temporary activities, that are notified by NOTAM.

Part 2 – Enroute Section 5
ENR 5.1 PROHIBITED, RESTRICTED AND DANGER AREAS
ENR 5.2 MILITARY EXERCISE AND TRAINING AREAS AND AIR DEFENCE IDENTIFICATION ZONE (ADIZ)
ENR 5.3 OTHER ACTIVITIES OF A DANGEROUS NATURE AND OTHER POTENTIAL HAZARDS
ENR 5.4 AIR NAVIGATION OBSTACLES
ENR 5.5 AERIAL SPORTING AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
It is always important that all Aeronautical Information is accurate and complete. Some areas where the accuracy and completeness is critical are; Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ), Danger Areas, Restricted Zones, Prohibited Areas, Small Arms Ranges, Glider Sites, Parachute Sites, and High Intensity Radio Transmission Areas.

The CAA recommends that service providers and UAS manufacturers:

Check that any data displayed to remote pilots is accurate and aligned with the AIP and where there is an error correct it as quickly as possible

  • Check that any data displayed to remote pilots is accurate and aligned with the AIP and where there is an error correct it as quickly as possible
  • Check that geofencing (if implemented) is accurate and aligned with the AIP and where there is an error correct it as quickly as possible
  • Display additional relevant data (other than airspace restrictions), from the AIP sections described above
  • Implement a plan to regularly review the above data to avoid future inaccuracies occurring

General Aviation & Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems Unit
Safety Regulation Group, CAA

20 October 2022

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Protected: RAeS UTM/ATM Conference 2022: a review (MEMBERS ONLY)

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CAA Mark Wharry keynote @DroneX: Takeaways
Mark Wharry, the GA & RPAS Safety and Oversight Manager  with the  Civil Aviation Authority, shared his perspective on the UK RPAS regulatory landscape.
– 7000 operators in the specific category, with an Operational Authorisation OA
– 600 000 registered operators in the Open and Specific categories
– The GA and RPAS Safety & Oversight team grew significantly. The RPAS sector team now includes 11 inspectors and 5 surveyors. The team works in close relationship with the Innovation Team and the Rapid Capability Office.

– The UK SORA Specific Operations’ Risk Assessment (SORA), expected for March 2023, is the key policy development target.
– Also: a simplified version of the Open category vs Europe, for example by limiting the number of Classes of drones – currently 7, from C0 to C6 in the EASA framework –
– Also: the scalability of the specific category requirements depending on operations’ complexity, including pilot qualifications and the ability for RAE to deliver more complex qualifications.

The UK SORA will from part of the  Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM) to UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947.  Moving forward, the AMC & GM document will replace a significant proportion of what is currently contained within the CAP 722 series. It is therefore an important piece of regulation for all drone operators, especially in the specific category.

ALS

DroneX invite: 
UK RPAS – The Regulator’s Perspective

As the UK RPAS industry develops and grows, the Civil Aviation Authority has the dual remit of ensuring it does so safely, while proactively and directly enabling the innovation the sector is known for. With technological change and development happening at a rapid pace, what is the safety regulator’s view on how to balance these requirements, integrate with traditional aviation, and truly open up the UK’s skies?

Bio:
Mark Wharry was an RAF fast jet pilot and instructor for almost 20 years, flying combat missions in the Tornado GR4. Later, he flew the MQ-9 Reaper RPAS, training alongside the US Air Force before completing over 1000 operational hours in support of Operations HERRICK and SHADER. As an experienced instructor, he served as Officer Commanding Reaper Standards and Evaluation, with responsibility for ensuring the combat readiness of the RAF’s MQ-9 Force. He was the first pilot to be rated as an ‘A’ grade instructor on any RPAS, and the first accredited Central Flying School Examiner on an uncrewed platform. He is the CAA’s most experienced RPAS pilot and is now the Safety and Oversight Manager for General Aviation and RPAS, leading teams of inspectors and surveyors who handle all external oversight for both communities. He is an MBA student and loves flying in all its forms.

For more information, please connect to DroneX website: https://www.dronexpo.co.uk/speakers/mark-wharry/
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UKRI/Future Flight: Funding Call for Social Science Research – Option to collaborate with ARPAS-UK
The University of Birmingham, in collaboration with the ESRC and the UKRI’s ISCF Future Flight Challenge, is offering a programme of nine grants:
·      7 grants of £150 000 each + 2 research policy fellowships £80 000 each
·      Submission date: 16 November 2022
·      Start date: 1st April 2023. 14 months
·      Eligibility: primarily UK-based researchers who are eligible for ESRC funding.
·      Benefit of a collaboration with ARPAS-UK can be discussed.

Theme 1: Innovation by and for social and community need.
·       1a) Grant 1: Focus on disability and accessibility
·       1b) Grant 2: Focus on marginalised groups’ access and experiences
·       1c) Grant 3: Focus on digital exclusion from Future Flight transport
·       1d) Grant 4: Focus on socio-economic exclusion/inclusion
Theme 2: Future Flight Ecosystems and Enterprises.
Theme 3: Governance and Trustworthiness.
Theme 4: Spatiality of Future Flight

 
For further information on the grant call, and how to apply please follow this link: www.birmingham.ac.uk/futureflight
If you have any questions, please get in contact at: [email protected].

ALS

27 September 2022

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UK determines certification standards for new electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today confirmed it will put in place the certification standards also used by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), known as Special Conditions (SC)-VTOL, as the basis for UK certification for new electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

Special Conditions allow manufactures and the CAA to develop safety requirements as these new technologies come to market and provide the basis for approval.

The safety levels established under SC.VTOL provide stringent levels of protection for the UK consumer, both in the air and on the ground.  

In implementing these new standards, the CAA will continue to proactively engage and collaborate with other global national aviation authorities, such as the US Federal Aviation Administration, to share approaches, lessons learned and safety insights.

Harmonising safety standards across nations and continents helps to maintain high levels of safety, as well as reducing industry costs and avoiding duplication of effort. By working together the UK industry has easier access to the wider global market.

Rob Bishton, CAAs Group Director for safety and airspace regulation, said: 

“The decision to adopt SC-VTOL as our certification basis will support UK manufacturers and enable them to easily access the global market for eVTOL aircraft. 

“We will continue to work with the industry to help promote and facilitate innovation throughout aviation.”

16 June 2022

Update

EASA publishes world’s first rules for operation of air taxis in cities – 30 June 2022

 The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) published rules for the operation of air taxis in cities, the first comprehensive proposal for such regulations to be issued world-wide. 

Read more

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CAA: Non-Executive Director Needed

The UK Civil Aviation Authority are recruiting for a Non-Executive Director with General Aviation Expertise. Your role will be to provide independent and constructive challenge to the CAA’s executive team to help ensure the CAA delivers its strategic objectives.

Your experience in aviation (and other sectors) will ideally have given you an ability to appreciate and understand:

  • The strategic issues facing General and Business Aviation (essential);
  • A broad range of General Aviation activities (e.g. private, display, heritage, recreational, Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, and business other than passenger carriage) (essential);
  • The ability to provide strategic challenge, whilst building consensus with a range of stakeholders (essential);
  • Political awareness and the ability to navigate the political landscape (essential);
  • The role of General Aviation in the development and adoption of innovative technologies such as fuels, remotely piloted air systems, and machine learning (desirable); and
  • Design, manufacture, operational and consumer perspectives of General and Business Aviation (desirable).

For further details:

Closing Date: 11.59pm on 24 July 2022

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CAP2367: Consultation Response: Extending the provisions for Legacy and Transitional Category UAS