26 Jun Atypical Air Environments: CAA Consultation on Policy Change

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has consulted the industry on Atypical Air Environments (AAEs), with a view to publishing its final policy decision soon. 

From February to April 2024, the CAA has been working with stakeholders, DSPs, and drone industry leaders to define an atypical air environment, and decide how such airspaces could function. Subject to certain criteria, this decision could permit regular BVLOS flights across UK infrastructure. 

Defining Atypical Air Environments

The consultation document articulates the CAA’s working definition of an AAE:

‘An AAE can be considered as a volume of airspace where you can reasonably anticipate there to be a reduced number of conventionally piloted aircraft due to proximity of ground infrastructure.’ (CAA, CAP2968)

The document also goes further, detailing specific and measured criteria that will govern this proposed airspace. Even in an AAE, BVLOS flights must be pre-authorised and co-ordinated. They must also only take place at specific altitudes and parameters: only within 30m (100ft) of any building or structure, and with the landowner’s permission. 

The CAA states that these criteria are intended to facilitate specific, industry-focussed use cases, such as ‘an industrial site where personnel use a UA for inspection.’ (CAA)

Atypical Air Environments and Us

No space has yet been designated as an atypical air environment in the UK; given the conceptual nature of AAEs, the CAA is still narrowing down a wide demarcation. However, even the current definition (if enacted as-is) could facilitate nationwide expansion of projects like ours with NGET. 

Right now, sees.ai holds the most advanced BVLOS permission ever awarded by the CAA. We already perform regular BVLOS flights at several sites across the UK, providing the CAA with the most advanced proof-of-concept ever for UK AAE activity. 

We look forward to seeing the results of this consultation very soon.