Launch of working group to help shape the future of UK airspace

The future flight challenge announces a cross-sector working group to help inform policy for future airspace integration of innovative new aviation technology.

The future flight challenge has launched a new industry working group, focusing on the emerging generation of vehicle types and the challenges of integrating these vehicles into UK airspace.

The Future Aviation Industry Working Group on Airspace Integration (FAIWG:AI) was constructed by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) working alongside:

• Department for Transport (DfT)
• Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
• Connected Places Catapult (CPC).

It brings together stakeholders from industry to help provide input and insight to government strategy and regulatory policy for integrating these new vehicle types in UK airspace.

The emerging vehicle types represented by FAIWG:AI will be:

• uncrewed aircraft systems and drones
• advanced air mobility (AAM) such as electric vertical take-off and landings
• hybrid and electrical regional aircraft.

The main voice for airspace integration needs of future flight vehicles

The FAIWG:AI aims to:

• be the prime voice for airspace integration requirements across the future flight sector
• play a role in the future development of solutions and standards to assist airspace integration.

It will:

• foster collaboration within the sector as the airspace strategy continues to develop.
• inform and respond to government and regulatory strategies, including the UK airspace modernisation strategy
• collaborate with these policy makers on solutions, standards and specifications to support this integration across the sector
• provide a clear, consensus-based plan to government by the end of 2022 for the safe integration of these new vehicle types into UK airspace.

This will allow commercial services to begin no later than 2025, with a clearly defined path to sustainable growth to 2030 and beyond. Commercial services mean that the benefits of these new vehicles can start to be realised in practice for everyone in the UK.

View the full article including the list of working group members here as well as the attached outreach letter from the Future Aviation Industry Working Group on Airspace Integration

 FAIWG-AI Outreach letter industry MVP.pdf (134 KB)