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Excited to welcome Craig Lippett and Amanda Smith at ARPAS-UK’s Board and Advisory Board.

Graham Brown stepped down as Chair of ARPAS-UK but remains a Director, focusing on Education and Careers in Drones.

Cranfield University provided an excellent venue to hold the ARPAS-UK AGM and Annual Conference – and they even came through on the weather. What a sun-filled, glorious day! We extend our thanks to Professor Braithwaite’s Team and Alex Williamson for all their help and support.

Evolution of the Board of Directors

The AGM covered Association business.

  • We thank Chris Daniels of FlareBright for his time and support as a Director as he steps down as Director but remains engaged with the organisation as part of the Advisory Board.
  • Aleks Kowalski stepped down by rotation and was re-elected as a Director.
  • In addition, members elected Craig Lippett, of Eagle Eye Innovations, as a Director. Craig will focus on Policy and Regulation.

Craig stated, ‘I’m delighted to be appointed as a Director of ARPAS-UK for the coming year. I look forward to bringing my drone sector experience, knowledge and network to bear in addressing the key questions and challenges facing our members in the various drone use cases they seek to deliver and expand in the future. The focus naturally is on the evolving regulation landscape, how they may impact member’s business cases and how the Association will support them in engaging with the regulator to provide feedback on key subjects such as UK SORA and Drone Class Marking. I aim to provide a focal point for those efforts in the coming months‘.

  • Graham Brown has now stepped down as Chair of ARPAS-UK but remains a Director, focusing on Education and Careers in Drones. We thank him for all his tireless energy in promoting the UK drone industry and ARPAS-UK members for the past 7 years.
ARPAS-UK Board of Directors

Evolution of the Advisory Board

  • Amanda Smith, Drone Programme Lead at Sellafield Ltd, steps up to chair the Advisory Board and takes on Graham’s mantle of Drone Promotion. Amanda will serve as ARPAS-UK’s figurehead championing industry adoption and engagement with end-users. We welcome her to the role.
  • Joining her on the Advisory Board are Emily Butt, Leicestershire Search & Rescue Drone Lead, Phil Hicks, Pravo Consulting, Mike Hibberd, Texo, Rowley Cory-Wright & Matt Rake, StirlingX.

A strong team!

Updated Advisory Board at ARPAS-UK

Anne-Lise Scaillierez, Director and CEO, also presented the 2024 financial results of ARPAS-UK.

Find out more about Cranfield University

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Fireside Chat 03 | Drone Class Marking in the UK in 2026 – March 2025

In this third episode of the ARPAS-UK Fireside Chat series, Directors Anne-Lise Scaillierez and David Thurston discuss the UK government’s recent announcement on drone class marking and the appointment of the Market Surveillance Authority (MSA).

From 1 January 2026, drones in the Open Category must meet new product standards under the Class Marking framework, aimed at improving safety and compliance.

Anne-Lise and David discuss what these changes could mean for drone operators and the wider industry, and how ARPAS-UK will support members through the transition.

We recently wrote about the MSA appointment and Drone Class Marking announcement – Read the full article

Remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and hit the notification bell! Alternatively, listen to our Fireside Chats and updates on Spotify.

Read more Regulation news

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Live Fireside Chat 01 | UK PDRA-01 Standstill – WATCH AGAIN

CEO Anne-Lise Scaillierez and ARPAS-UK Director David Thurston hosted the first live-streamed Fireside Chat, discussing the CAA’s announcement to delay significant changes to the UK PDRA-01.

Live Chat was available during the stream to Subscribers of our YouTube Channel

If you would like to read ARPAS-UK’s official Statement on the CAA’s announcement regarding PDRA-01, please find it here.

3 February 2025

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ARPAS-UK Directors back David Thurston to be new Director of the Board

First and foremost, David runs a own small drone services company under a PDRA01, demonstrating his commitment to advancing RPAS technology and integration, as well as understanding the challenges that operators face.

David’s career in commercial aviation, combined with a forward-looking approach to emerging technologies, positions him as an ideal candidate to contribute to ARPAS UK’s goals. He brings strategic vision, operational expertise, and commitment to innovation to the Board, working collaboratively to navigate the future challenges and opportunities of aviation technology.

With over 27 years of experience in commercial aviation, encompassing leadership roles such as Chairman of the Monarch BALPA Company Council and Head of Pilot Management at Monarch Airlines, David has developed a comprehensive understanding of the aviation sector. Currently, as the Chair of BALPA’s Emerging Technology Study Group focusing on RPAS & AAM, and as a part-time Captain for easyJet, his career reflects a commitment to advancing aviation through innovation, strategic leadership, and a focus on emerging technologies.

David firmly believes in actively shaping the future of our industry, using his experience, insights, and passion to advocate for innovative solutions that advance the safe and effective integration of RPAS, influencing policy, perception, and practice within the aviation sector.

The ARPAS-UK Directors are pleased to back David at the forthcoming AGM to become a Director.

5 April 2024