UK approves drone trials for Amazon

The UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has given the greenlight for test-flying drones beyond a human controller’s line of sight, opening up the possibility for widespread use of drone transport.

Six organisations will take part in the trial focusing on use cases for the inspection of offshore windfarms, air traffic control, policing and delivering emergency medical supplies.

The authority said all the schemes will use “advanced technologies” for tasks including navigation and the detection of other aircraft in a controlled environment as it finalises regulations for the wider use of drones.

“These innovative trials mark a significant step forward in integrating drones safely into UK airspace,” said Sophie O’Sullivan, Director of Future of Flight, CAA.

“By supporting projects ranging from consumer deliveries to critical infrastructure inspections, we are gathering essential data to shape future policies and regulations.

“Our goal is to make drone operations beyond the visual line of sight a safe and everyday reality, contributing to the modernisation of UK airspace and the incorporation of new technology into our skies.”

Projects

Online retailer Amazon will use drones to deliver packages to homes, while Kirkwall airport on Scotland’s Orkney islands will test how the devices and other aircraft can operate safely alongside each other.

The authority says one of the primary objectives of the trials is to “strike a balance between promoting innovation and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance within the aviation sector”.

“It’s crucial for operators like us to have clear regulatory requirements in order to bring and scale new technologies, such as drone delivery, to customers in the UK,” said Amazon Prime Air Vice President and General Manager David Carbon.

“We appreciate the CAA’s effort to partner with us to help bring clarity to the regulations that support commercial drone delivery.”

Amazon expects to launch its Prime Air service in the UK by the end of the year, delivering small packages within an hour of an order being placed.

The drones could be capable of operating within a 12 kilometre radius of their base, which will be located in one of the UK’s fulfilment centres.

Image: CAA