By Kylie Bielby
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is seeking feedback on three uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) traffic management (UTM) proposals regarding policy, operations and certification to support the safe and scalable integration of UAS into UK airspace.
The consultation period runs until August 28 and covers the UTM Policy Concept, UTM Concept of Operations (ConOps) and proposed certification approach for UTM service providers.
The CAA says that the UTM Policy Concept “lays out a proposed regulatory framework that enables the safe, secure, efficient and scalable integration of UAS into UK airspace, in simple, high-level terms for a wide range of stakeholders involved in UAS services”.
The ConOps sets out a structured and risk-informed framework for the “progressive integration” of UAS operations within UK airspace. “UTM, whilst currently considered as a separate entity in the current ATM/ANS framework it will be considered as an integrated entity in the Future-ATM/ANS framework,” the CAA states.
“The ConOps adopts a phased, scenario-based approach to UTM implementation following
the roadmap for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operational scenarios into the UK’s
airspace (CAP3182),” the proposal notes. “As operational capability and technology improves, subsequent scenarios progressively introduce more complex UTM capabilities and greater levels of interoperability between UTM Service Providers (UTMSPs) and Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs).”
The ConOps document establishes a reference point for the implementation and development of UTM services throughout the UK, which are key enablers for strategic and tactical mitigations in alignment with UK Specific Operations Risk Assessment (UK SORA) principles and future regulatory decision-making.
The CAA proposes introducing certification requirements for UTMSPs, ensuring they meet equivalent and proportionate safety standards to air navigation service providers (ANSPs). The UTM certification consultation is extensive and includes a wide range of proposals that could support the certification of UTM services, and the wider UAS sector.
Analysis commissioned by the UK government predicts that UAS revenue between 2025 and 2050 could be between GBP 20.3bn and 66.2bn.
For more information
UTM consultations at the UK CAA
Image: UK CAA