A new report published by the Regulatory Horizons Council (RHC) has outlined how the UK could support the commercialisation of drones.

The RHC is an independent expert committee which identifies the regulation needed to develop innovation and technology.

The document explores the opportunities for remote parts of the UK such as the Hebrides to act as a testbed for the commercial deployment of drones. The government said that this would enable a shift away from experimentation to commercial operations, particularly for flights beyond the visual line of sight of the operator.

The report highlights regulatory lessons that the UK can learn from engagement with countries including the United States, Rwanda, Singapore, and Ireland.

It also outlines a number of regulatory challenges and how the government and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) could help to address them.

In a letter addressed to the chair of the RHC, the secretary of state for business, energy and industrial Strategy welcomed the proposals, agreeing with the council that there are opportunities for the UK to harness the benefits of drone technology through “ensuring a proportionate regulatory approach.”

Kwasi Kwarteng added that the Department of Transport, which has responsibility for the relevant regulations, will respond in detail to the recommendations set out in the report.

“It is important that we take steps to ensure that we deliver a regulatory system that continues to support the development of aviation technologies in a safe, secure and sustainable way,” wrote the business secretary. “Increasing commercial deployment of drone technologies offers the potential to improve productivity and efficiency across multiple industries.”

“This is an exciting time for the UK’s drone sector, as new technologies are solving real commercial problems and helping save lives,” said professor Iain Gray, chair of the Drones Industry Action Group. “Government is making game-changing investments through the Future Flight Challenge, but to reap the full benefits, innovators need clear, forward-thinking and responsive regulatory regimes to operate within.”

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