Civil use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Civil use of Drones
Civil use of Drones, is regulation at EU level required?
13 October 2014
On Monday 13 October the House of Lords EU Committee investigation into the civil use of drones gets underway with its first evidence session.
- Parliament TV: Civil use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) in the EU
- Inquiry: Civil use of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) in the EU
- EU Sub-Committee on the Internal Market, Infrastructure and Employment
Witnesses
Committee Room 2, Palace of Westminster
At 4.15pm:
- Paul Cremin, Head of UK Aviation Safety, SAFA & Permits Branch, Department for Transport;
- Adam Simmons, Deputy Director, International Aviation Safety and Environment, Department for Transport; and
- Andrew Horton, Senior Technical Policy Advisor, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills
Government officials from the Department of Transport, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, will give evidence, answering questions on safety, EU regulation, economic benefit and national security.
The inquiry by the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on the Internal Market, Infrastructure and Employment is looking at the civilian use of drones in the EU, and expects to report back by early 2015.
Likely questions
The witnesses will also be asked other questions, including:
- Is there a need for EU-wide legislation in the first place?
- How do the EU’s ideas for regulation compare to guidelines in other areas such as the US?
- The UK is already adhering to strict regulations – could further regulation end up hampering its future competitiveness?
- How close is the UK to developing the necessary technology which will enable drones to “detect and avoid” collisions automatically?
- How much of a threat to national security does the new breed of lightweight and affordable drones pose?
Further information