* flying taxis and routine emergency service drones should be a reality by 2028
* new action plan will make sure regulation and infrastructure is in place to support exciting greener, quieter aviation technologies
* comes as Aviation and Technology Minister visits pioneering
Flying taxis, crime-fighting drones and critical 999 care deliveries could all be a reality by 2030 thanks to the government and industry's joint Future of Flight action plan, announced by the
Setting out a roadmap for drones and novel electric aircraft in the
It details plans for the first piloted flying taxi flight by 2026 and regular services by 2028, regular drone deliveries across our skies by 2027 and demos of autonomous flying taxis without pilots on board by 2030 - transforming how people and goods are transported.
Aviation and Technology Minister,
Cutting-edge battery technology will revolutionise transport as we know it - this plan will make sure we have the infrastructure and regulation in place to make it a reality.
From flying taxis to emergency service drones, we're making sure the
The plan was unveiled on the same day the minister is due to visit
These greener, quieter flying taxis are already undergoing the
Some of the other actions set out in the plan include:
* allowing drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) so that the sector can grow without limiting the skies for other aircraft
* breathing life into smaller aerodromes by setting out how they can operate as vertiports for electric aircraft that take off vertically (sometimes known as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft)
* developing standards to improve security for drones to boost public safety
* engaging communities and local authorities so that they can enjoy the economic and social benefits of these technologies
First imagined in the Flightpath to the Future in 2022, this joint plan between industry and government sets out the strategic direction of the sector over the next 5 years, striking a balance between innovation, security, safety and cutting emissions.
The benefits of this new technology are already being seen in the
Drones are also helping frontline
The Future of Flight action plan contains measures to make drone applications and assessments easier by creating new and simple digital platforms that operators can use - ensuring companies and public services are no longer shackled by red tape and get drones up and flying quicker.
It will also enable the development of vertiports - mini-airports for drones and electric aircraft that take off vertically - by developing certification standards and reviewing the use of existing infrastructure to deliver at speed, boost safety and security and put the passenger first.
Industry partners will also undertake multiple industry-leading trials to explore new ways to operate drones beyond the visual line of sight and demonstrate electric aircraft - keeping accidents to a minimum and making the most of technological advances. This could include finding and repairing faults quicker on our railways with fewer delays and cancellations for train passengers, providing new connections across the
The Future of Flight action plan comes ahead of the fifth meeting of the Future of
The
By supporting research and development in electric aircraft and drones, and with the help of key partners like the CAA, the action plan aims to usher in a new era of eco-friendly aviation and boost the economy with new investments, ensuring the
Aviation stands on the cusp of its next, potentially biggest, revolution since the invention of the jet engine. Drones, eVTOL and other different vehicles have the potential to change transportation options forever.
We welcome the firm direction the government's Future of Flight action plan provides for the industry as it continues to innovate. Our role in this bright future of aviation will be enabling technological advances and providing regulatory support while ensuring that all forms of new aviation technology enjoy the same high safety standards as traditional aviation.
Drones help professional teams capture data from the sky in a safer, cheaper, smarter and greener way and, in the future, they will help transport cargo and people. ARPAS-
Not only is the Future of Flight action plan a testament to the government's commitment to advancing aviation technologies, but it gives industry the confidence to continue breaking barriers in the sector.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Founder and CEO,
The
Aviation,
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