Regulations Archives | Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program

Drone owners in Malaysia must sign up with CAAM

Global Drone Conference — Mon, 03 Jun 2024 03:31:14 +0000

Drone owners, both commercial and recreational, will soon have to register with the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).

Failure to do so could see them fined up to RM50,000, or jailed for up to three years, or both.

Corporate bodies are liable for a maximum fine of RM100,000.

“Even now, registration is required, but compliance is low due to the high number of drones,” CAAM chief executive officer Captain Datuk Norazman Mahmud.

He said drone owners would have to register on CAAM’s Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UAS TM), which will be set up by the third quarter of next year.

“By then, when you buy a drone, you will have to register before flying it.”

“Drone operators will need to request permission via a mobile app before flying their drones. If the drone meets all requirements and is in an unrestricted area, approval will be granted instantly.”

The UAS TM is aimed at managing the increasing number of drones in the country’s airspace more efficiently.

Presently, the air traffic management system caters to civil aviation, regular aircraft and drones.

But with the number of drone owners rising, drones need to be managed better.

He said the Standards and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (Sirim) data indicates there were 155,995 drone operators in the country.

“Imagine the infrastructure needed to oversee 155,995 drone owners.”

Under the UAS TM, drone registration and flight approval processes will be automated through a four-stage process: U1, U2, U3, and U4.

“In U1, when you buy a drone, you register it with your name in the system. U2 will address the flight approval process. U3 are advanced services supporting more complex operations in dense areas, such as assistance for conflict detection and automated detect-and-avoid functionality,” said Norazman.

U4 involves integration with manned aviation and supports high levels of autonomy and connectivity.

The UAS TM will ensure drones do not encroach on designated areas for air traffic and restricted airspaces.

“The operation of the UAS TM will involve multiple agencies, including the Chief Government Security Office, the Survey and Mapping Department and Sirim,” Norazman said.

“However, for more complex commercial operations, such as pipeline monitoring or agricultural tasks, additional oversight and certification will be required.”

He added that around 80 per cent of drone use was recreational, and the remaining 20 per cent covered surveillance and transport.

To reach the Global Drone News editorial team on your feedback, story ideas and pitches, contact us here.

The post Drone owners in Malaysia must sign up with CAAM appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.

What is the “automation technology” required to lift the level 4 ban on drones?

Global Drone Conference — Sun, 05 Nov 2023 12:38:31 +0000

By Masayuki Kumada

The revised Civil Aeronautics Act, which came into effect in December 2022, has laid the foundations for “Level 4” drone flight, and expectations are rising for drones to be able to operate “beyond visual line of sight” and “fully autonomously.”

Drones are currently being used in fields such as aerial photography, agriculture, surveying, and some inspections, but by becoming capable of “beyond visual line of sight” and “fully automatic operation,” drones can be used for material transportation, inspections, and other purposes. Further use is expected in areas such as patrolling.

In cases such as aerial photography, agriculture, and surveying, where the main service is for operators to manually fly drones within visual line of sight, drones’ takeoffs and landings are of little concern in terms of operations, but society is facing a declining population and a shortage of workers. The issue is becoming more and more obvious, and in areas such as “goods transportation,” “inspection,” and “patrol work,” which require “beyond visual line of sight” and “fully automatic” drone services, it is important to pay close attention to the “takeoff and landing” of drones. This will require a service design that meets the needs of the customer.

When a drone is operated “beyond visual line of sight” or “fully automatic,” it must not only fly, but also take off and land safely and automatically in locations where the operator is not present. ”, “charging” the aircraft and “confirming the safety” of the surrounding area are extremely important.

Against this background, Blue Innovation has developed a “Drone Port System” where self-developed drones take off and land, and provides it as “BEP Port.”

“BEP Port” focuses on the “Drone Port Information Management System” developed by our company, and collaborates with and integrates various manufacturers of drone ports (drone take-off and landing sites) and peripheral equipment (environment sensors, surveillance cameras, etc.). We offer

By introducing and installing a “BEP port”, it is possible to “charge” the drone and “monitor” takeoff and landing, improving the “safety” of “beyond visual line of sight” and “fully automatic” services.

What is Blue Innovation’s “Drone Port Information Management System”?

Drone port information management system (VIS) compliant with the international standard “ISO5491”

The “Drone Port Information Management System *1 ” developed in-house by Blue Innovation can be used to connect external systems such as drone ground stations (GCS: Ground Control System *2 ), traffic management systems (UTMs: UAS Traffic Management System *3 ), etc. ) and API (Application Program Interface), and is the world’s first drone port information management system (VIS: Vertiport Information System *4 ) that complies with the international standard “ISO5491”.

*1　https://www.blue-i.co.jp/solution/logistics/port_01.html
*2 GCS (Ground Control System): A land or sea control center that provides equipment for human control of drones. .
*3 UTMs: UAS Traffic Management System: A management system that enables safe and efficient operation in an environment beyond visual line of sight, even in airspace with multiple drone operators.
*4　https://www.blue-i.co.jp/news/release/20230626_1.html

The connected drone port and surrounding sensor hardware can be selected according to the drone used and customer needs, and the main functions are as follows.

■“Drone port remote monitoring function”
　Remotely monitor the operating status of multiple drone ports in real time

■ “Peripheral device remote monitoring function”
　Remote monitoring of the operating status of peripheral devices such as weather sensors and intrusion detection sensors in real time

■“Drone port remote control function”
　Drone port opening/closing control and automatic opening/closing control by linking with other systems

■“Take-off and landing decision support function”
　Supports drone take-off and landing decisions based on information on the drone port and peripheral devices

■“Information transmission and acquisition function with external systems”
　Links with external systems such as UTM and GCS to transmit and acquire necessary information.

■ “Management screen for drone port operators” A
　management screen for drone port operators to operate drone ports safely and appropriately
　　• Check the reservation status, operating status, and flight plan of each drone port
　　• Operating status of peripheral devices , confirmation of measurement results using peripheral devices, provision of judgment information,
　　confirmation of safety around takeoff and landing locations
　　, confirmation of takeoff and landing status
　　, remote drone port operation
　　, remote drone port control in case of emergency.

■Various API maintenance

In the future, “beyond visual line of sight” and “fully automatic operation” of drones, the “takeoff and landing” of drones will be extremely important.

Blue Innovation’s Drone Port Information Management System was designed and developed to focus on this important aspect and improve safety and efficiency.

“BEP Port” has the flexibility to handle projects of any size. We believe that by utilizing “BEP Port” together with various partner companies, we can realize the early social implementation of safe, secure, and efficient “beyond visual line of sight” and “fully automated” drone operations.

Director Masayuki Kumada

ABOUT THE WRITER

Mr Masayuki Kumada joined Blue Innovation in April 2011 after working at Fujisoft Co., Ltd. Current position since March 2017. In addition to directing the overall development of the Blue Earth Platform (BEP), which controls and manages multiple drones and robots, he is also working on developing the SC16 (Unmanned Aircraft System) at the ISO (International Organization for Standardization) towards the international standardization of aviation-related standards. ) expert, SC17 (airport infrastructure) expert and vertiport (vertical takeoff and landing airport) project leader. He graduated from the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science.

To reach the Global Drone News editorial team on your feedback, story ideas and pitches, contact us here.

The post What is the “automation technology” required to lift the level 4 ban on drones? appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.

Amid US Tech Concerns, China Restricts Drone Exports

Arub Amin — Fri, 04 Aug 2023 08:59:23 +0000

Credit: Reuters

BEIJING, July 31 (Reuters) – Amid rising friction with the United States over access to technology, China on Monday placed export bans on select drones and drone-related equipment, claiming it sought to protect “national security and interests”

The equipment bans, which include some drone engines, lasers, communication devices, and anti-drone systems, will go into force on September 1st, according to the trade ministry.

A ministry official stated in a statement that no civilian drones can be shipped for military use and that the regulations also apply to some consumer drones.

“China’s modest expansion of the scope of its drone control this time is an important measure to demonstrate our stance as a responsible major country, to implement global security initiatives, and maintain world peace,” the unidentified spokesperson said.

Authorities had notified relevant countries and regions, the spokesperson said.

China has a large drone manufacturing industry and exports to several markets, including the United States.

The Department of Defense and Commerce Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Congress in 2019 banned the Pentagon from buying or using drones and components manufactured in China.

U.S. lawmakers have said that more than 50% of drones sold in the U.S. are made by Chinese-based company DJI, and they are the most popular drone used by public safety agencies.

DJI said on Monday it always strictly complied with and enforced laws and regulations of the countries or regions in which it operates, including China’s export control regulatory requirements.

“We have never designed and manufactured products and equipment for military use, nor have we ever marketed or sold our products for use in military conflicts or wars in any country,” the drone maker added.

A German retailer in March 2022 accused DJI of leaking data on Ukrainian military positions to Russia, which the company rejected as “utterly false”.

China’s commerce ministry said in April this year that U.S. and Western media were spreading “unfounded accusations” that it was exporting drones to the battlefield in Ukraine, adding the reports were an attempt to “smear” Chinese firms and it would continue to strengthen export controls on drones.

The restrictions on drone exports follow China’s last month announcement of export bans on a number of metals extensively used in chip manufacturing, which came in response to American efforts to limit China’s access to critical technology like chip manufacturing machinery.

To reach the Global Drone News editorial team on your feedback, story ideas and pitches, contact us here.

The post Amid US Tech Concerns, China Restricts Drone Exports appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.

The Regulatory Hurdles Holding back Malaysia’s Drone Industry

Arub Amin — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 08:46:36 +0000

Credit: TechNode Global

The Drone Readiness Index is a significant industry measure that consistently generates discussion.

Malaysia appears to be doing well. This year, the country has risen eight positions to 21st place. This places Malaysia among the finest in Southeast Asia, if not among the greatest.

Malaysia has two domestic drone service providers, Aerodyne and Meraque, which rank first and eighteenth, respectively, in the world.

The index was devised by the consulting firm Drone Industry Insights (DII) and contrasts the drone regulations of various nations. Both countries and drone operators are evaluated based on six criteria: relevance, human resources, airspace integration, operational restrictions, governmental infrastructure, and social acceptance.

“The proposed amendments will be difficult to implement without an efficient and integrated online system,” Transport minister Datuk Seri Dr. Wee Ka Siong told reporters during the officiating at the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Operations workshop on Wednesday. “The amendment and introduction of the online system will give exposure to the public regarding the importance of using drones in a controlled and safe manner.”

The agency will also launch an improved application system this year where it’s all done on an app, with approvals done in a day.
Economic Affairs Minister Rafizi Ramli said the government would fast-track expatriate visa applications from the current three months to just five days, which would enable overseas drone companies and their employees to set up shop here quicker.

Rafizi said the applicants will be divided into two groups, with one group eligible for fast-tracking due to the applicants’ good track record and compliance, as well as a long history with the country.

“The others that do not have a history with the country will be checked by the relevant departments. If they are eligible, they too will join the fast-tracked group.” He also said, “The new application process is expected to come into effect in early June.”

But, as with all new initiatives, time will determine how simple it will be for international businesses to operate in Malaysia.

In the same way, neighbouring countries are catching up. Drones are being used in smart agriculture initiatives, for instance, in Thailand.

The Ministry of DES has recommended farmers employ more drones for a new Thailand smart farm project in Pathum Thani Province’s Pin Fah Farm region. Pinfah Farm is an intelligent farm model in Pathum Thani Province designated for agricultural eco-tourism.

Pinfah Farm employs drones to spray medications, fertiliser, and various chemicals in farmlands to reduce money and improve farmer health. Chaiwut Thanakmanusorn, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, paid a visit to the new farm and provided financial assistance.

In 2022, drone enthusiasts in Singapore can have a new dedicated flying spot at the Pandan Reservoir where they may fly their remote-controlled aircraft with less worry about unintentionally breaking the rules.

Transport Minister S Iswaran revealed on Sunday (July 17), at the official launch of the unmanned aircraft flying area, that the number of drones registered with the authorities has gone up four-fold.

In an effort to inform the public about safe and responsible flying, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) also said that regular courses and seminars would be performed at the reservoir.

However, the site’s prevailing laws will still be in effect.

There is so much going on around us that it is inevitable that Malaysian drone operators would only have a limited local market and make gradual growth. Their most significant option is to compete internationally.

Before addressing some of the major issues, this post will highlight several additional advantages for drone businesses in Malaysia.

The nation has a variety of topography and is geographically diversified. There are sizable “old economy” industries that require drone services, including agriculture and telecommunications.

It remains anecdotal, though, whether the uptake is positive. Depending on who you speak to, some of the major contenders could argue that drones are beneficial while others may belittle the technology.

There are also four drone sandboxes, and drone service companies have various funding choices. Government support has also benefited a significant business like Aerodyne.

One of the four sandboxes is hosted by Malaysian Research Accelerator for Technology & Innovation (Mranti), one of the government organisations that is actively pushing the drone issue.

The company’s CEO, Dzuleira Abu Bakar, and other officials have been engaging in a publicity blitz, including appearances on radio shows and news websites.

Staying Unchanged

For permissions, service providers must clear four regulatory hoops: the Department of Survey and Mapping Malaysia for permissions to map locations, the Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission for permissions to control signals, the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) for permissions to fly drones, and SIRIM for permissions to check device readiness and readiness for use.

Although these are the principal governmental organisations that monitor the drone business, service providers must also engage with other organisations. Additionally, they require permission from local governments in order to fly their drones in specific locations as well as from the Chief Government Security Office.

Are there any intentions to make a bold upstream move? The drone factory that India’s Garuda Aerospace plans to construct in Malaysia aims to do that.

Garuda will require further permits from a variety of federal and state entities, including the Malaysian Investment Development Authority, in order to carry this out.

Despite significant progress in uniting these institutions and authorities—the nation announced a drone roadmap last year—service providers still need to clear the requisite hurdles.

There isn’t a single organisation in charge of investing in or approving drones. There is also the issue of bureaucracy, which results in a protracted approval process.

The sandboxes are important to note because, while they are secure areas for drone testing, they fall well short of simulating real-world scenarios.

The second issue is how slowly laws are changing. Most of the nations with high Drone Readiness Index scores, like Taiwan and South Korea, are recognised for their ability to swiftly create airworthiness standards for risky drone operations.

China and Taiwan, followed by Brazil, Switzerland, and Malaysia, were the nations that advanced the most in terms of drone laws. It’s also important to note that nations such as Indonesia, Taiwan, Korea, and the USA have typically advanced in the certification of drones due to the fact that they created airworthiness standards for certification of drones in high-risk drone operations.

Law after law

Drone operators in Malaysia now require a special permit to fly above people or private property, across no-fly zones, or at altitudes more than 120 metres. To transport large cargoes, they also require authorisation.

There are legitimate worries, particularly around safety and privacy. However, since permissions take so long, many drone service companies are unable to test unmanned deliveries or maintain telecommunications towers, for example.

Lastly, whether the discussion is about changing existing laws or creating new ones, Parliament and the Attorney-General’s Chambers must also be involved.

To reach the Global Drone News editorial team on your feedback, story ideas and pitches, contact us here.

The post The Regulatory Hurdles Holding back Malaysia’s Drone Industry appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.

AAM Vehicle Certification Reference Guide is Created by Honeywell

Arub Amin — Wed, 10 May 2023 04:53:21 +0000

Credit: Honeywell

Honeywell unveiled the first certification reference book for various major vehicle segments for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). To permit the certification and operation of crewed and uncrewed AAM vehicles intended to transport passengers and freight, complicated rules are now being devised. There had never been a place where these rules could be thoroughly tracked before.

The Honeywell State of UAS and UAM Certification Guide can be used by business and government leaders, engineers, journalists, and others with a curiosity in the future of flight to better understand and communicate the challenges associated with vehicle certification and operational approval across various vehicle segments.

Jia Xu, chief technology officer, UAM and UAS, Honeywell Aerospace, stated that “we understand the challenges that professionals working in the Advanced Air Mobility industry face as they look to navigate, track, and ultimately comply with myriad developing regulations.” They must comprehend the certification environment across all AAM sectors since Honeywell offers certifiable, mission-critical solutions that enable AAM vehicles to fly. The accreditation table of contents was first created as a fast reference for their own team, but they soon saw that the data provided can help the larger industry. To assist AAM enterprises in keeping up with regulatory progress, they plan to update this publication often.

The following link provides access to this evolving document for business experts. The Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency’s (EASA) changing regulations for various AAM segments will be outlined in the certification reference book. AAM experts can use the links to source papers to better understand the specific certification criteria.

According to Emily Kimball, deputy director of the Commercial Drone Alliance, “The Honeywell certification reference guide can help UAS and AAM manufacturers, operators, or really anyone with an interest in the industry, to quickly get up to speed on the current certification landscape across key advanced aviation segments.”

To reach our editorial team on your feedback, story ideas and pitches, contact us here.

The post AAM Vehicle Certification Reference Guide is Created by Honeywell appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.

Drone Laws in Malaysia

Global Drone Conference — Tue, 26 Oct 2021 02:56:00 +0000

UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Malaysia

The Malaysian agency responsible for drone safety, CAAM, has provided a number of internet-accessible details on flying a drone for fun or for work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details, go to the links above.

Are drones allowed in Malaysia?

According to CAAM, drones are allowed in Malaysia, subject to CAAM regulations. Read on for details.

Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Malaysia:

In Malaysia, drones are classified into three categories:

Small Unmanned Aircraft System: Drones with a maximum weight of 20 kilograms
Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft: Drones that weigh a maximum of 20 kilograms and are equipped with data acquisition devices (such as cameras and microphones).
Unmanned Aircraft System more than 20kg: All other drones weighing more than 20 kg

Regulations vary according to category. For example, the second category includes standard camera drones such as the DJI Mavic and Phantom.

Further authorization is required for such drones for the following maneuvers:

More than weight of 20 kilograms
More than ascent height of120 meters (400 feet).
Flights of drones over designated areas (areas for residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational purposes)
Outside visual range. However, under certain conditions, experienced pilots can conduct FPV flights.
Drone flights outside 150 meters of each designated area
Drone flights over crowds of more than 1,000 people in open spaces
Drone flights outside 150 meters of any outdoor gathering of over 1000 people
Drone flights within 50 meters of any ship, vehicle, or structure that is not under the pilot’s control
Drone flights are restricted to a radius of 50 meters around each person.
During takeoff and landing, drones fly within 30 meters of each person.
Within 4.5 kilometers (3 miles) from airports and heliports.
Flights made at night.

You will also require a RM250 license from the Department of Civil Aviation (DCA).

Information about Drone permits in Malaysia

Before applying for a CAAM permit, you must first obtain permission from the landowner whose property you intend to fly over. Additionally, depending on your circumstances, you may need to get the following documents:

A letter of approval from JUPEM, or Jabatan Ukur dan Pemetaan Malaysia, is required for any drone activity involving aerial mapping, aerial photography, filming, or videography. The application fee is RM 50.
A letter from the CGSO, or Chief Government Security Office, authorizing the pilot to fly in no-fly zones such as Putrajaya.
A letter of approval from the Sabah or Sarawak Chief Minister, depending on which state you will be flying.
For foreign drone pilots, an approval letter from the MCMC or Malaysia Communications and Multimedia Commission.

Please keep in mind that your application to CAAM must be submitted at least 14 working days before your scheduled flight date, or it will be rejected.

The Permit Application fees are as follows:

For drones 20kg and below: RM 250
For drones above 20kg: RM 1000

The permit is valid for a maximum of three months, based on the dates of operation specified in your application.

How to get a Standard Authorization to Fly Drones in Malaysia?

If your UAS flight activity is not categorized as Special UAS Project, Agricultural UAS Operations, flown within Visual Line of Sight in Class G Airspace and utilizing less than 20 kilograms of UA then you will require to submit the Standard Application to achieve your Authorization to Fly.

The Application form can be found here: Malaysia Standard Authorization Application Form.

The completed application form and required supporting documents shall be sent to drone.atf@caam.gov.my at least fourteen (14) days before the proposed activity date. CAAM reserves the right to reject an incomplete or late submission.

Penalties

If the person is an individual, they may be fined not more than RM50,000 or imprisoned for not more than three years, or both.

If the person is a body corporate, they may be fined not more than RM100,000.

JOIN THE DRONE COMMUNITY ON WHATSAPP

Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Malaysia

Recreational drone use does not require a drone permit.

You do not require authorization if you intend to fly a small unmanned aircraft system. However, you must ensure that you can maintain direct and unaided visual contact with the aircraft long enough to monitor its flight path to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels, and structures to avoid collisions.

Authorization from the Director-General is REQUIRED if the person in charge if the small unmanned aircraft system intends to fly the small unmanned aircraft system:

within an aerodrome traffic zone
at the height of more than 400 feet above ground

Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.

Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Malaysia

To fly a UAS for aerial work, you need authorization from the Director-General.

Aerial work is an aircraft operation in which an aircraft is used to provide specialized services such as agriculture, construction, photography, surveying, observation and patrol, search and rescue, and aerial advertisement.

Registration of small unmanned aircraft and small unmanned surveillance aircraft is NOT required.
Registration of unmanned aircraft systems weighing more than 20kg is REQUIRED.

Each authorization requires additional direct payment to the authority.

To use drones for aerial work, you must also apply for and maintain an aerial work certificate:

New application: RM 800
Renewal of aerial work certificate: RM 500 per year
Modification of existing certificate: RM 250

Follow the general rules listed above, but check for updates by visiting the regulator’s links provided.

Useful published information on flying drones in Malaysia

Here is a sample of what you might expect if you follow the drone laws and fly in Malaysia…

NOTE: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model aircraft, toy aircraft, Remote controlled aircraft, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

The content on this site is collated by volunteers from public general information. This material is not presented as legal advice of any kind, and we cannot guarantee that the information is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. Do not substitute the information you find here for legal advice from a licensed attorney who is authorized to practice in the jurisdiction. When in doubt, contact the local aviation authority responsible for drone safety, utilize a licensed drone service operator, and/or consult a qualified attorney.

The post Drone Laws in Malaysia appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.

UK regulator gives green light to delivery drone trials

Global Drone Conference — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 04:42:40 +0000

Drones flown by distant pilots utilizing solely cameras and sensors to information their plane moved a step nearer to common use on Tuesday with the UK aviation regulator saying trials that, if profitable, might remodel the logistics sector.

Drones are at present banned from flying past the road of sight of their pilots underneath virtually all circumstances, which means it has been troublesome to roll out the know-how at scale on logistical duties comparable to inspecting vital infrastructure or flying deliveries in city areas.

However the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has authorised West Sussex-based drone firm Sees.ai to start working common flights past the pilot’s line of sight at three places within the UK, to check the security of opening the know-how as much as the broader business.

The drones will probably be flown by pilots who could possibly be primarily based lots of and even 1000’s of miles away from their plane. The assessments will happen on industrial websites properly away from the general public and different plane, the CAA mentioned.

John McKenna, the chief executive of Sees.ai, said the trials were a step towards drones regularly using a mixture of sensors and cameras to fly autonomously, without the need for human pilots at all.

He likened the gradual adoption of the technology to driverless cars, which have been trialled on public roads in the UK but still have people in ultimate control in case the technology fails.

Regulators around the world are racing to keep pace with rapid developments in unmanned aerial vehicles, with prototype delivery drones offering the potential to revolutionise logistics.

Industry and regulatory experts warn that one of the key hurdles will be making sure drones can detect and avoid other objects in the sky, while a system to manage drone traffic will also have to be rolled out, to ensure there are no collisions.

If regulators eventually allow autonomous drones to be flown at scale, they are likely to be used in industrial settings on missions such as monitoring rail and road infrastructure or nuclear power plants before they are unleashed in crowded urban environments, where there is significantly more risk if something goes wrong, McKenna said.

“I think shipping Amazon packages or delivering pizzas is coming, but still a long way off. Here in the UK I think we have a high quality of life and high privacy expectations,” he said.

The post UK regulator gives green light to delivery drone trials appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to publish new drone directive this month

Global Drone Conference — Fri, 19 Feb 2021 03:01:44 +0000

CAAM deputy chief executive officer (regulatory) Zainul Abidin Maslan said in order to secure a bright future for the Malaysian drone industry, enforcement of new regulations would require repetitive processes such as registration, authorisation and surveillance.

Various other processes involved would need to be done online or to the unmanned traffic management platform, he added.

“We expect to publish (the directive) in February 2021, the new regulations will address the training side of the equation where ample guidance will be included to ensure only competent drone operators have the right and approval to operate drones for industrial purposes,” he said.

According to Zainul, unmanned aircraft activities in Malaysia are currently bounded by the Civil Aviation Regulation 2016, and the Aeronautical Information Circular 04/2008.

“We believe now is a perfect opportunity for a new set of drone regulation to come in place to ensure safety as well as thrusting the industry to new heights,” he said.

Meanwhile, NACSA chief executive officer, Mohd Shah Nuri Md Zain said cybersecurity threats in urban air mobility are real as the infrastructure used to operate the technology is plugged with vulnerability.

He said the coordination of cybersecurity issues in the context of the air mobility ecosystem will be done across government agencies under the purview of critical national information infrastructure protection, in line with the Malaysia Cyber Security Strategy launched last October.

“With this strategy, we are navigating our national cybersecurity ecosystem towards an integrated cybersecurity risk assessment based on technology resilience.

“Greater coordination in addressing advanced and sophisticated attacks will reduce risks and elevate cybersecurity at the organisation, sectoral and national levels,” he added. — Bernama

CAAM’s Flight Operations Directives can be found here:

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM CIVIL AVIATION DIRECTIVE – 6011 PART (V)
SPECIAL UAS PROJECT

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM CIVIL AVIATION DIRECTIVE – 6011 PART (I)
REMOTE PILOT TRAINING ORGANISATION

UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEM
AGRICULTURAL UAS OPERATIONS

The post Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia to publish new drone directive this month appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.

When It Comes To Sensible Drone Policy Africa Leads The Way

Global Drone Conference — Thu, 07 May 2020 04:42:44 +0000

It has taken an event of almost biblical proportions to demonstrate just how much we truly rely on the care and services medical practitioners give us. But the pandemic has also shown us how these services worldwide need to adapt to better face another such challenge should, or when, it next arises.

A 2018 UK Royal College of Physicians report concluded on any day, five per cent of the UK’s road traffic was related to the NHS. As many millions of workers sit at home at kitchen tables or in makeshift ‘bedroom offices’, nearly all will have embraced web conferencing technology such as Skype, Zoom and Jabber. This moment in time has allowed us to road test technological innovation at a scale we could have never achieved previously, without needing to use the road.

As I sit here and write this a quarter of the world is in lockdown. What COVID-19 has shown us all is our dependence on ‘man-in-a-van’ to transport and dispense blood and tissue samples, human transplant organs and potentially life-saving medicines, where quite often speed of delivery is a critical factor, which when we are being asked to remain in isolation can prove to be quite a challenge.

Which is where the use of drones can come in and is an area of technology medical blue light services should not only grasp, but champion the use of. Using drones will be quicker, safer and use energy from renewable sources. As anyone who has lived in any large city will testify, it can be quicker to walk than drive. But using a drone would be quicker still.

This may sound futuristic, but ironically, it is happening now. In Africa. US start-up Zipline has been delivering medication and blood supplies to remote villages in Rwanda since 2016 and they have just started operations in Ghana. These operations take drones beyond the line of sight. That is an important point to appreciate.

Europe and the US restrict drone services to line of sight operations. Just as was the case with mobile telephone technology, mobile banking and other things, Africa has leap-frogged over the old technology and is going straight to a new paradigm. We should watch and learn.

While we continue to either insist on line of sight operations, or otherwise clear the airspace of all other flying objects before letting drones fly; in Africa, in mixed airspace, well away from the operators’ line of sight, the sky is being opened up for drone deliveries and other things.

Recently, in Rwanda, the African Drone Forum organized the Lake Kivu Challenge, which showed drones and manned aircraft can share the sky safely and securely if all the actors and agencies involved agree on the rules of the game. All around the world, we need to follow this example, get the rules in place and have unmanned vehicles in complex controlled airspace. This is known as unmanned air traffic management (UTM). It is all about managing the airspace for manned and unmanned vehicles alike and as far as possible automating the processes. That is a regulatory task. There are no technology impediments. It is possible to do it today. Altitude Angel, a UK start-up, provided the UTM services for the Lake Kivu Challenge. [Full disclosure, Altitude Angel is a client of my firm.]

The iron is hot, so regulators must get their acts together and learn from Africa and make the changes that will allow drones to operate safely to add value and to save lives. Because, hopefully, opportunities like this won’t come around that often…

Our thoughts are with those who are suffering with the effects of coronavirus and the amazing men and women of who are doing all which is humanly possible to treat them. Aviation regulators can do their bit to help too. we mustn’t lose the chance to do something positive from this troubling time.

Source: Andrew Charlton, Forbes

Mr Charlton is the managing director of Aviation Advocacy, an independent strategic government affairs and publishing company based in Switzerland.

The post When It Comes To Sensible Drone Policy Africa Leads The Way appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.

Skyports joins the CAA Regulatory Sandbox to make drone deliveries a reality

Global Drone Conference — Thu, 23 Apr 2020 12:00:00 +0000

The COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the potential role that unmanned aircraft delivery systems can play in limiting human contact, keeping goods moving to essential services like hospitals, and ensuring some hardest-to-reach communities remain connected.

Deploying delivery drones to carry out these important functions is easier said than done. To achieve permanent commercial operation of drone delivery services at scale, unmanned aircraft need to operate beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) in airspace shared with other users. Restricting delivery flights to separate ‘segregated’ airspace away from other aircraft, the norm today for safety reasons, severely hinders the available routes, frequency and range of services.

Regulators around the world are already aware of this problem. They are looking at innovative ways in which to work with the unmanned aircraft industry to unlock the potential of this rapidly-advancing technology. The UK is no exception and grasped the nettle in 2019 when its Innovation Team issued a challenge to industry to come forward with suggestions for how drones could be operated BVLOS within non-segregated airspace, for the benefit of communities across the UK.

As a drone delivery service provider, the CAA call for participants in its Regulatory Sandbox programme was an ideal opportunity for Skyports to help the regulator develop a means to grant approval for a system that would enable the safe integration of delivery drones in shared airspace. Last week, Skyports, along with its project partners, were successfully onboarded into the Regulatory Sandbox to trial our solution.

Skyports joins other leading organisations such as Amazon, Volocopter, NATS, NESTA, Altitude Angel and Sees.Ai in the Sandbox who are also progressing their ground-breaking work in unmanned aviation.

The Skyports solution for safe integration of BVLOS flights in non-segregated airspace is based on the use of Iris Automation’s world-leading Detect & Avoid Technology – Casia. Casia has already been used in approved BVLOS flights across the US, Canada and South Africa and we are excited to bring this technology to the UK and the CAA Regulatory Sandbox. Through the use of Casia, Skyports delivery drones will automatically understand the surrounding skies and independently react as if a pilot were on board. This is the critical step required to make drone deliveries a day-to-day reality. We are also working with our technology partner Thales to provide cutting-edge, secure remote electronic identification (Remote ID) and flight management services.

Equally important is ensuring that our drone delivery operations have the social license to operate. We are working with leading environmental consultancy RSK to help us monitor the potential impacts, both positive and negative, to the communities that we operate in. While our drones are some of the quietest on the market, we have to ensure we have a dialogue with the people in the communities we operate within.

As for the drone platform itself, Skyports will be deploying its fixed-wing delivery drone capable of moving cargo payloads of up to 5kg over a distance of up to 100km, ideal for operations in more rural, remote and challenging environments, as well as providing experienced remote pilots and ground equipment.

Skyports has ambitious plans and the operational means of providing permanent drone delivery services at scale. Working with our partners, such as those in the healthcare and medical sectors, increases the efficiency of supply chains and improves the quality of care being provided to local communities, particularly those that are hard to reach. We believe the lessons that all parties will learn from our involvement in the Regulatory Sandbox will provide a viable route for operators like Skyports to introduce their services across the UK for the benefit of rural communities.

As for the Covid-19 crisis, the future remains uncertain even after ‘lockdown’ comes to an end. Social distancing is likely to continue for months to come, those most at risk may have to remain quarantined at home and future waves remain a threat of the virus returning. Healthcare providers will need to continue to reach the most vulnerable in their communities and keep supplies flowing within these new conditions. Skyports can help by serving multiple destinations or create high-frequency transports to an individual site. Creating these “air-bridges” ensures that essential supplies such as PPE, medicine and testing kits could be distributed across communities to ensure that everyone, regardless of location, has access to high quality healthcare regardless of the challenging situation.

The post Skyports joins the CAA Regulatory Sandbox to make drone deliveries a reality appeared first on Global Drone Conference Data Insights Exchange Program.