A new policy concept developed by the Test & Evaluation (T&E) team at the UK Civil Aviation Authority to support safe and efficient testing of UAS in the UK has been published, according to the CAA’s Vikas Dangi in a Linkedin post.
The UAS Operations at Test Sites – Policy Concept “sets out how the CAA can pre-assess Test Sites,” according to the post. “UAS Operators can then use a CAA Pre-assessed Test Site in their UK SORA application, It enables safer, more efficient testing — faster for Operators, more efficient for the CAA”
According to text in the document:
“The guidance in this document aims to streamline applications for an Operational Authorisation (OA) for the purpose of testing, by setting out the criteria that the CAA are currently considering as part of our pre-assessment process of test sites. Such sites are known as CAA Pre-assessed Test Sites. The guidance is applicable to both those applying to become a CAA Pre-assessed Test Site and UAS Operators intending to utilise a CAA Pre-assessed Test Site. 1.5 A current list of CAA Pre-assessed Test Sites can be found at https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/specific-category/test-and-evaluation/uasoperations-at-test-sites/.
- WholeShip’s National Drone Hub has become the UK’s first & only Civil Aviation Authority accredited drone test site, according to the company. WholeShip operates the National Drone Hub in partnership with the Royal Navy, providing facilities, expertise and access to over 8000 square kilometres of segregated airspace to test and evaluate drones and associated technologies. This could save up to 12 weeks on their approval to start BVLOS drone testing.
For more information
https://www.caa.co.uk/publication/download/25590
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7356632664713367554/?commentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Acomment%3A(activity%3A7356632664713367554%2C7356689617925861377)&dashCommentUrn=urn%3Ali%3Afsd_comment%3A(7356689617925861377%2Curn%3Ali%3Aactivity%3A7356632664713367554)
(Image: Wholeship National Drone Hub)
