Are you a PhD student passionate about AI, drones, conservation ecology, and computer science — and eager to apply your skills to real-world conservation challenges?
Protected: Seeking Logistics & Transport companies for alternative uses of drones
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Protected: WATCH: UK SORA Update – Multi-Site & Multi-UAS Approvals & More | ARPAS-UK Members Briefing
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Fireside Chat 05 | Drone Flight Planning & SORA Compliance with VIA of Volant Autonomy
Fireside Chat 05 | Discover how you can visualise, plan, and manage complex drone operations across the UK and beyond, following UK SORA or JARUS SORA methodologies.
In our latest Fireside Chat, Anthony Lawrenson, COO of Volant Autonomy, joins ARPAS-UK CEO Anne-Lise Scaillierez to introduce VIA – the powerful flight planning and management platform designed to support safe, effective, and compliant drone operations.
They explore VIA’s functionality, showcase key features, and walk through example operational scenarios. Designed to support advanced drone missions, VIA offers a high level of automation and seamlessly integrates real-time risk modelling, strategic deconfliction, and regulatory compliance (ie: SORA and JARUS 2.5) to enable efficient and secure mission planning.
VIA has been used in uncrewed (UTM) or integrated traffic management (ITM) environments and supports BVLOS flight planning from ARC-A through ARC-C. Its design helps reduce manual input and associated risks, offering both a graphical user interface and API access for broader system integration.
Watch the Fireside Chat 05 below and remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and hit the notification bell! Alternatively, listen to this new update on Spotify.
Like to try the VIA beta? Sign Up for your free one month trial below
Anthony Venetz was the technical author of BSI Flex 1906, and Anne-Lise Scaillierez was part of the Flex Advisory Board on behalf of ARPAS-UK. Watch our fireside chat to quickly understand the purpose of BSI Flex 1906, and how you can effectively use it to support your UK SORA operational authorisation submissions.
2 June 2025
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The Structural Battery Company Appoints Sir Iain Gray as Special Advisor to the Board
ARPAS-UK member The Structural Battery Company (The SB Co.), an innovator in advanced structural energy storage solutions, is delighted to announce the appointment of Sir Iain Gray as Special Advisor to its Board.
Formerly Chief Executive of Airbus UK, Managing Director of the Aerospace Technology Institute, and Director of Aerospace at Cranfield University, Sir Iain has been instrumental in advancing some of the UK’s most important technology initiatives.
John Moffat, Founder and CEO of The Structural Battery Company, said: “We are honoured to welcome Sir Iain Gray as Special Advisor to our Board. His exceptional leadership across industry, academia, and government will be invaluable as we continue to grow and scale our structural battery technology to decarbonise transport. Sir Iain’s experience and insights will help guide our strategic direction and strengthen our partnerships across multiple sectors.”
Sir Iain Gray commented: “I am delighted to be joining The Structural Battery Company at such an exciting stage in its journey. Their innovative approach to lightweight, high-performance energy storage has the potential to make a significant contribution to the future of sustainable transport. I look forward to supporting John and the team as they deliver on their ambitious vision.”
The appointment marks an important milestone for The Structural Battery Company as it advances towards commercialisation, expanding partnerships across aerospace, defence, and renewable energy sectors.
For media enquiries, partnership opportunities, or technical information, please visit www.thesb.co.uk
‘Powering the Future: Decarbonising Transport with Structural Battery Innovation‘
The Structural Battery Company is at this year’s 55th International Paris Air Show
16-22 June 2025 Salon international de l’aéronautique et de l’espace Paris • Le Bourget Hall B – Stand G158 www.siae.fr/en/
ARPAS-BVLOS SIG: Over the last few years ARPAS has pushed in a number of areas relating to BVLOS, starting with the Risk Quantification Approach.
We also have a Manifesto on what we are looking to achieve.
With ARPAS-UK successes in the Atypical Air Environment (AAE) and the first 2 organisations being ARPAS-UK members (Heliguy, Autospray) – Read more here
We’re keen to push on with some of the aspects, collaborating with entities such as the NATS BVLOS Forum, but also driving into more technical areas and have a number of ideas.
We have a Discord group already, but we’re aware that not all members are or can be part of Discord. So we are setting up a ARPAS-BVLOS SIG Group, so when people ask who are on the group its very clear.
If you would like to be added to this group where we can set up regular meetings, please use the link below and complete the Google Form.
UK Government Airspace Redesign Opens Pathways for UAV Industry Innovation
The UK government has announced a landmark overhaul of national airspace infrastructure – the most significant redesign since the 1950s. While the primary focus is on improving the efficiency of commercial aviation and reducing delays, this initiative carries substantial significance for the future of uncrewed systems.
Central to the reform is the creation of the UK Airspace Design Service (UKADS), a new body tasked with reshaping airspace, beginning with the congested skies over London. The redesign aims to improve airspace utilisation, create jobs, reduce fuel consumption and emissions, and modernise legacy structures to reflect the demands of contemporary and emerging aviation technologies.
This marks a pivotal moment for the UK’s drone sector.
ARPAS-UK welcomes the government’s latest announcement that current airspace design must evolve to support today’s hybrid skies – encompassing uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. The successful integration of these technologies into shared airspace will depend on robust safety frameworks, transparent governance, and meaningful engagement with the drone industry.
Ensuring safe and efficient integration of uncrewed systems into the airspace of tomorrow is essential to unlocking the full potential of the sector.
Drones in Action: 80% Cost Savings* – University of Exeter Gutter Cleaning Tender
Writing tenders to secure the most cost-effective contract is strengthened by having clear, accurate data about the job.
The University of Exeter, with a portfolio of 300 buildings, understood this when preparing their gutter cleaning tender.
By using drone technology, supplied by InView Assets, the University achieved up to 80% savings* on inspection costs, removed the need for Working at Height, and completed the task in a matter of days instead of weeks/months.
Read our most recent Drones in Action Report in full
The report explores how drones are transforming industries – from asset inspection and precision agriculture to complex oil and gas infrastructures – enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability across sectors. We update every 6 months.
A British farm suffered major yield loss after flea beetles damaged its oilseed rape crop. Replanting by tractor risked soil compaction and further damage.
AutoSpray Systems used drones to double the seeding rate with no tread damage or Scope 1 CO₂ emissions, boosting efficiency and protecting healthy plants.
Read our most recent Drones in Action Report in full
The report explores how drones are transforming industries – from asset inspection and precision agriculture to complex oil and gas infrastructures – enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability across sectors. We update every 6 months.
Traditional wind turbine inspections involve technicians physically climbing turbines to check for damage, a method that is time-consuming, labour-intensive, and risky, particularly in harsh weather. This process typically covers only 2-5 turbines per day and may result in incomplete inspections due to limited access to certain blade areas.
Drone inspections reduce costs by 25% and can cover 10-12 turbines per day, whilst also keeping personnel on the ground, removing risk associated with working at height.
Read our most recent Drones in Action Report in full
The report explores how drones are transforming industries – from asset inspection and precision agriculture to complex oil and gas infrastructures – enhancing efficiency, safety, and sustainability across sectors. We update every 6 months.
