uavs - ARPAS UK

SAM IS ....

Drones in Action: Wind Turbine Inspections

Drones in Action End User Stories:

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.

See more below

Wind Turbine Inspections Download

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.

Learn more about ROAVR | Group

Learn more about Airborne Robotics

13 May 2025

SAM IS ....

CAA: Airspace Modernisation – Ground Infrastructure Survey open

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched the Airspace Modernisation: Ground Infrastructure Survey to gather industry insights on enhancing ground-based surveillance and communication systems. This initiative aims to support the safe integration of uncrewed aircraft operations, particularly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS), into the UK’s airspace.

Key Focus Areas:

Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B): Evaluating the use and certification standards of ADS-B receivers and transceivers.
Flight Information Displays (FIDs): Understanding their applications and appropriate certification requirements.
Multilateration (MLAT) Solutions: Assessing current implementations and future needs.
Non-Cooperative Detection Systems: Exploring technologies like radar, optical (EO/IR), acoustic, and radio frequency methods for drone detection and geolocation.
Traffic and Flight Information Services Broadcast (TIS-B and FIS-B): Reviewing use cases, technical standards, and safety assurances.
Obstruction Beacons: Identifying requirements for marking and lighting obstacles to aviation.

Participation Benefits:

Influence Policy: Contribute to shaping future regulations and guidance in airspace infrastructure.
Stay Informed: Engage in discussions on the evolution of ground infrastructure in the UK.
Collaborate with Regulators: Express interest in upcoming workshops and projects.

The CAA is particularly interested in feedback from UAV operators, Air Navigation Service Providers, industry bodies, aerodrome operators, and drone operators. Additionally, organizations specializing in connectivity solutions and data encryption are encouraged to participate.

Survey opens 12 May 2025.
Survey closes 12 June 2025.

Read more & Take Part in the Survey

View other:

12 May 2025

SAM IS ....

Protected: ONLINE EVENT: REGISTER for UK SORA – ARPAS-UK Members Update and Q&As – 6 June

SAM IS ....

Protected: ARPAS-UK Annual Conference 2025: A Review

SAM IS ....

Bird & Bird: UAS Roundtable: 7 May 2025

Timing: 7 May 2025 16.00-18.00

Location: Bird & Bird London, 12 Fetter Lane, London, EC4A 1JP

Bird & Bird’s UAS Roundtable provides a forum for those working in the UAS industry to network in an informal environment, explore industry trends and exchange views on matters of common interest.

Anyone interested in joining this event, please contact Simon Phippard or Helen Barker at Bird & Bird

Agenda:

Discussion 1 – African Drone Industry Perspectives

We frequently hear how many of the more ambitious BVLOS drone operations are now taking place in the developing world. It is therefore a great pleasure that Jonty Slater, Co-Chair of the African Drone Forum, has agreed to lead a discussion around his perspectives of drone operations in Africa. Can these operations scale beyond trials, and if so do they have lessons for the UK or other first world territories, given the gap between African use cases and western regulatory environments? Are there lessons to be drawn from the scale of drone industry employment in China.

Discussion 2: Artificial Intelligence

Following the last Round Table’s discussion on the EU Data Act and its application to connected vehicles, we cannot ignore AI and its application to robotic technology and autonomous technology. Will Bryson, Senior Associate in Bird & Bird’s Tech Transactions team in London, will brief delegates on the commercial and legal considerations surrounding the development, deployment, and sourcing of AI systems, including the complexities for contracting for AI.

More about Bird & Bird London

More Events

1 May 2025

SAM IS ....

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.

The Board of Directors at ARPAS-UK

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!

1 May 2025

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

Find out more about Cranfield University

Would you like to get in touch with us? Contact [email protected]

SAM IS ....

Fireside Chat 04 | UK SORA Means of Compliance Guide BSI Flex 1906

Join Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO of ARPAS-UK and Anthony Venetz, Director of Across Safety Development and Technical Author of BSI Flex 1906, as they discuss the UK SORA MoC Guide BSI Flex 1906.

UK SORA came into force on April 23, 2025.

Amongst the SORA requirements, some specifically call for the use of a standard or other means of compliance (MoC) acceptable to the CAA. In many instances, a specific standard or MoC has not yet been identified in UK SORA.

The main objective of this BSI Flex is to identify and simplify references to standards and MoC where these are specifically required in UK SORA and within the scope defined below. To achieve this, it draws largely upon the technical assessment of standards already conducted as part of Project Shepherd (2021-2024)1) and focuses on how those results relate specifically to the requirements relevant to the scope of this BSI Flex.

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.

Watch the Fireside Chat 04 below and remember to subscribe to our YouTube channel, and hit the notification bell! Alternatively, listen to this new update on Spotify.

Read BSI Flex 1906

Visit Across Safety Development’s Website

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).

UK Drone Regulation Update – March 2025

Join CEO Anne-Lise Scaillierez and Rupert Dent, Director of ARPAS-UK for our Fireside Chat 02. In this episode, Anne-Lise and Rupert discuss the UK SORA published by the CAA, on the 3 March 2025.

25 April 2025

SAM IS ....

Grey Arrows Drone Club Extends Insurance to Commercial Drone Operations

ARPAS-UK member Grey Arrows Drone Club is pleased to announce that its Gold Membership now includes full Public Liability Insurance (PLI) cover for commercial drone operations, in addition to existing recreational use.

This enhancement marks a significant step forward in the club’s continued commitment to supporting the UK drone community with meaningful, practical benefits.

Gold Members are now covered by £5,000,000 of Public Liability Insurance, whether flying recreationally or conducting small-scale commercial work. This includes, but is not limited to, roof inspections, real estate photography, aerial filming, and other side-gig operations – providing peace of mind and legal protection for members who generate up to £15,000 per year from drone-related activities.

The policy is EC Regulation 785/2004 compliant, ensuring it meets the required standards for commercial drone operations within the UK.

Gold Membership remains just £25 per year, offering members an unmatched range of benefits – now including dual-use insurance cover.

About Grey Arrows Drone Club:

Grey Arrows Drone Club is the UK’s leading club for drone enthusiasts. Through it platform, Drone Scene, members can access an interactive map of flight information, airspace restrictions, planning tools, and now comprehensive insurance protection for both recreational and commercial drone operations.

Get in touch with the Grey Arrows Drone Club for more information.

Full Details on Insurance Cover

23 April 2025

SAM IS ....

Drone Related Jobs as at 24 April 2025

SAM IS ....

Innovation Insurance Facility launched by Apollo and Moonrock

Apollo, the innovation inspired insurance platform, and Moonrock, the leading managing general agent specialising in drone insurance, today announce the launch of a new drone, eVTOL and Aviation innovation insurance facility.

The facility will provide liability coverage of up to $100m and property damage cover of up to $22.5m. Led by capacity from Apollo, follow-on capacity will be provided by AEGIS London, AXIS, Beazley, Helvetia, Munich Re and IQUW, while Moonrock will underwrite and distribute the product to brokers. The pioneering insurance facility is tailored to protect complex operations involving anything from single drones to larger fleets and to meet the demand in eVTOL and other areas of innovation in Aviation.

Martin Jackson, Class Leader, Aviation, Apollo Insurance: “It was clear there was a need for a meaningful and targeted solution in the market to offer larger limits for complex drones and eVTOL operators, as well as propositions for increasing areas of innovation. Given Apollo’s emphasis on providing and developing innovative and tailored solutions for our clients, we are very excited to expand our relationship further with Moonrock, alongside AEGIS London, AXIS, Beazley, Helvetia, IQUW and others to introduce this new facility. We are looking forward to our continued collaboration and partnership with the team at Moonrock.”

Simon Ritterband, Founder and Managing Director: “This partnership marks a groundbreaking leap forward for the drone insurance industry, unlocking new opportunities for projects that have historically struggled to find coverage. We are now able to insure more complex drone operations such as those utilising cutting-edge, high-value equipment, ensuring comprehensive protection against property damage and liability claims. We’re also excited because the facility provides the opportunity to support the rapidly expanding field of drone passenger services, or eVTOL. This revolutionary sector is poised for explosive growth, and with this innovative solution, we’re positioning ourselves ahead of the curve and ready to lead the way into the future of flight.”

About Apollo

Apollo is an innovation inspired insurance platform offering data-driven and creative solutions to a wide variety of risks.

We provide high quality products and services to clients, brokers, and capital partners at Lloyd’s, enabling a resilient and sustainable world. We offer insurance products across Property, Casualty, Marine, Energy & Transportation, Specialty, Reinsurance, as well as Smart Follow and digital & embedded risk programmes.

Our expertise and unique Apollo ecosystem give our Platform Partners the best chance of success through the Lloyd’s new entrant process to the delivery of their long-term strategy. We invest in true partnership and innovation driven experiences unlike anyone else.

About Moonrock Drone Insurance

Moonrock Drone Insurance has established itself as a premier Managing General Agent (MGA), recognised as a leading authority in drone and eVTOL insurance. We are committed to delivering high-quality products, exceptional service, and unparalleled expertise through a data-driven approach to underwriting, pricing, and product innovation.

Our unique Knowledge Hub provides industry news on technology, regulation, and other relevant information, ensuring that policyholders remain informed about the latest developments in the drone sector. Additionally, the hub offers brokers the opportunity to share specialised industry knowledge with clients engaged in this rapidly evolving market.