Westminster eForum

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ARPAS-UK at Westminster eForum: UK Drone Regulation & Growth

ARPAS-UK was invited as part of Westminster eForum conference on 31 March 2025 entitled: “Next steps for the UK drone industry – policy, regulation, investment, growth and innovation”.

This recording provides ARPAS-UK keynote, delivered by CEO Anne-Lise Scaillierez, who contributed specifically to a panel focused on the relationship between Regulation and the Drone Industry.

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31 March 2025

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Next steps for drone regulation and use in the UK: 31 Jan 2023

with

Stuart Lindsay, Head, Airspace Modernisation, Civil Aviation Authority

Kevin Woolsey, Co-Head, General Aviation and Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Civil Aviation Authority

and

Councillor Keith Artus, Chairman, Strategic Aviation Special Interest Group (SASIG); Helen Hearn, Director, Spectrum Policy, Ofcom; Dr Ruth Mallors-Ray, Director, RMR Consultants; John McKenna, CEO, sees.ai; Nicholas Paines KC, Commissioner for Public Law, Law Commission; Andrew Sage, Director, Safety Transformation, National Air Traffic Services; Fiona Smith, Group Head of Aerodrome Strategy, AGS Airports

and

Andrew Chadwick, Connected Places Catapult; Sam Durham, NFU; Dr Anton Howes, Entrepreneurs Network; Stuart McGlynn, Cyberhawk

Chaired by:

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate, Vice President, All-Party Parliamentary Group on General Aviation

For more information and to Book

This conference is bringing together stakeholders and policy makers to discuss the future of remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) regulation and commercial use in the UK.

It comes as the CAA updates the Airspace Modernisation Strategy, and Ofcom consults on spectrum management for unmanned aircraft systems – with further studies being conducted by UKRI and the Law Commission.

Delegates will discuss the priorities for the safe and effective integration of unmanned and remotely piloted aircraft systems into UK airspace, and what is needed from regulators and users to enable routine operations beyond visual line of site (BVLOS).

They will also examine emerging RPAS applications in key industries, the integration of drones into existing practices and business models, and the priorities for building business cases and attracting investment.

Booking arrangements:

To book places, please use our online booking form.

Once submitted, this will be taken as a confirmed booking and will be subject to our terms and conditions below.

You can also pay in advance by credit card on 01344 864796. If advance credit card payment is not possible, please let me know and we may be able to make other arrangements.

Options and charges are as follows:

Access to Next steps for drone regulation and use in the UK (plus a permanent record of proceedings) is £260 plus VAT per delegate
Concessionary rate places for small charities, unfunded individuals and those in similar circumstances are £115 plus VAT. Please be sure to apply for this at the time of booking.

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WeF policy conference – Next steps for developing the UK’s drone sector

The seminar will be an opportunity to discuss the Air Traffic Management and Unmanned Aircraft Bill, with plans to reform the management of airspace and air traffic services – as well as the new European drones regulation which came into force at the end of last year, much of which the UK is mirroring in their own regulation policies.

The agenda will bring out latest thinking on:

regulating drone activity – tackling the misuse of unmanned aircraft, plans to harmonise UK approach with new EU directives, and standardising drone rules across commercial and leisure sectors
sector development – latest thinking on use cases in logistics, construction, defence, telecoms and energy, as well as business models and communicating value to potential industry partners
drone insurance provision – addressing regulatory and technological barriers, and setting out robust enforcement framework
drones and the Government’s policy agenda – sector opportunities in the context of increased support for UK R&D, the geospatial and location data strategy, land management priorities, the new defence strategy, and ambitions for a green aviation revolution

To Register: follow this link

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Commercial drones in the UK – regulation, airspace management, and future use cases: 13th Dec 2019

Westminster eForum Conference.

Venue: Central London

This timely seminar will discuss UK drones policy, the future regulatory system, and opportunities for commercial application of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the UK.

We expect discussion to focus on the upcoming Drones Bill, due to be published later this year.

The conference will provide an opportunity to assess the potential for wider commercial and public sector drone use.

We expect discussion on latest developments in use cases including the management, surveying and maintenance of infrastructure assets, supporting the work of the emergency services, drone utilisation in the construction and agriculture sectors, and wider emerging applications.

Delegates will consider what more is needed to support the growth of the sector and to drive continued innovation, in order to ensure the UK is positioned as a global leader in this field – following the recent launch of the UKRI Future of Flight Challenge, which includes £125m of government funding through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund.

Areas for discussion include what developments may be required to the regulatory framework for unmanned aircraft system operations if fully-autonomous and BVLOS flying were to be enabled on a routine basis.

Delegates will examine what more is needed in terms of technical solutions and enforcement powers to avoid further disruption from rogue use of drones, such as that seen at UK airports in the past year – including airspace restrictions, detection and counter-drone technologies.

It follows the adoption of new EU rules on drone operations, and the CAA’s recent publication of plans for their implementation in the UK within the next year.

We also expect discussion on the Government’s response to the Taking Flight: The Future of Drones in the UK consultation earlier this year, which set out:

the case for tighter controls around drone use;
plans to develop policy related to the Flight Information Notification System (FINS); and
an expansion of geo-fencing so that inbuilt drone technology can restrict entry into no-fly zones.

With the Science and Technology Select Committee also conducting an inquiry into Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK, further sessions will provide an opportunity to discuss the evolving landscape in terms of regulation, including the compliance challenges facing drones users in the UK, as well as questions around airspace management and liability.

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Priorities for the UK Aviation Strategy – infrastructure, regulation and connectivity

ARPAS-UK has responded to the questions set out in Appendix A of the Aviation 2050 Consultation and will be attending this seminar to engage further with key stakeholders, noting that with the exception of NESTA, there are no other drone companies registered to attend.

ARPAS-UK engages with the UK Government and the Civil Aviation Authority to achieve parity with other air users, protect the drone industry and support it as it grows. We do this in a responsible manner, engaging in the appropriate forums.

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This conference focuses on priorities for the UK aviation sector and will take place on April 30th 2019.

It will bring together stakeholders with policymakers as the Government is due to be finalising its aviation strategy white paper, following the publication of the Aviation 2050 consultation and green paper.

Delegates will assess the infrastructure challenges for growing the sector – in light of the Government’s Airports National Policy Statement, which outlines the preference for a third runway at Heathrow.

Sessions will also examine the priorities for improving airport accessibility following the latest CAA annual airport accessibility report, which outlined improvements made by UK airports over the previous twelve month period, as well as concerns that airlines have not put guidelines for funding assistance services at airports in place.

They will also consider what is needed to support regional airports, including potential opportunities for increasing regional flights, as well as improving surface transport connections to airports across the UK. Discussion also follows further government proposals on the opportunities for utilising spare capacity and existing runways across the UK, provided that growth does not lead to carbon emissions exceeding UK climate change commitments.

Attendees will examine the future of airspace management – including the next steps for innovation and collaboration between operators and airports, as well as the priorities for adapting to new technologies such as drones, particularly following the recent disruptions at UK airports.

Further sessions will look at options for tackling the challenges facing industry in opening new competitive markets for passenger services and freight, and the role of enablers for developing further opportunities.

Discussion is also expected on the environmental challenges and concerns associated with increased airport growth and potential new routes, such as air quality, carbon emissions and noise pollution.