The CAA has selected the projects to test safely integrating drones flying beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) into UK airspace.
The trials will gather key safety data such as detecting and avoiding other aircraft and the electronic signals they send to be visible to other aircraft and air traffic control.
Amazon Prime Air will deliver small parcels using drones and for the other projects, Airspection will inspect offshore windfarms, the National Police Air Service will use uncrewed aircraft for policing, NATS will conduct BVLOS inspections over the North Sea, Project SATE (Sustainable Aviation Test Environment) will fly to the Orkney Islands, and Project Lifeline will make medical deliveries.
Sophie O’Sullivan, Director of Future of Flight at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, says, “These innovative trials mark a significant step forward in integrating drones safely into UK airspace. By supporting projects ranging from consumer deliveries to critical infrastructure inspections, we are gathering essential data to shape future policies and regulations.”
The CAA invited organisations to bid to participate in an innovation sandbox to validate and test their concepts, supporting the development of BVLOS capabilities.
Innovation sandboxes are controlled environments to test and develop technology against the regulatory framework and help regulators enhance regulations.
The BVLOS sandbox is part of a collaboration with UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to support the creation of the aviation ecosystem to accelerate the introduction of advanced air mobility, drones and electric sub-regional aircraft in the UK.
Simon Masters, Future Flight Challenge Deputy Director at UK Research and Innovation, says, “These have the potential to transform how we deliver goods and provide services, particularly in less well-connected regions. These new sandbox projects are a great step towards realising these ambitions.”