The EU Transport Commissioner has launched a European network for drone demonstration projects.
The network will aim to become a forum to share knowledge on how to keep drone operations safe, secure and green.
People behind the project have said the program will focus on the so-called U-space, a system that connects all drones flying in the air and that makes all drones visible for authorities and citizens.
Commissioner for transport at the EU, Violeta Bulc, said: “Drones are a key part of the future of aviation and will become part of our daily lives. All players can mutually learn from practical expertise on how we can keep drone traffic safe, secure and green in the public space. That exactly is the purpose of this EU wide network.”
Drone and U-space projects are already being used to deliver concrete results on how to fly drones safely and how to make developing U-space systems more reliably robust.
However, the EU believes U-space projects are only sustainable and will only attract additional investment if the proposed solutions are compatible with the European framework which is why the Commission has taken the initiative to establish a European network of U-space demonstrators to support these projects.
The network is a cooperation of the European Aviation Safety Agency, SESAR Joint Undertaking (SJU) and EuroControl and will focus on promising projects that still need some further operational and regulatory demonstrations before starting commercial operations.
The network will focus specifically on projects with a clear business case that build on mature technologies, but need further operational and regulatory demonstrations before starting commercial operations.
The network would also support the competent authorities in processing the numerous applications that can be expected once commercial businesses will be started.
A first overview of activities of the Network will be presented at the next High-Level Conference on Drones in Amsterdam in November 2018.
(Commercial Drone Professional)
