CAA On Air

Advanced Air Mobility will see people and goods move between urban and regional areas using innovative aircraft like electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles. eVTOL offers the potential for new, faster and cleaner ways for people and goods to travel. In this episode we’re joined by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Technical Strategy Portfolio Manager, Darryl Abelscroft who discusse...

Automation and autonomy already play a key role in many aspects of aerospace, including autopilot and air traffic management, but the future is enabled by artificial intelligence (AI), and has the potential to impact every part of the aerospace sector. In this episode, we’re joined by James Bell, Innovation Strategy Lead, who has led the work for the UK CAA’s Strategy for Artificial Intelligence.&...

In this episode we talk with Brenden Hedblom from the Eve Consortium on its new concept of operations (CONOPS) into how future types of flying, such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, could be safety incorporated into London’s airspace. You can find more information on this work at: UK Concept of Operations (CONOPS) Key Considerations for Airspace Integration within a...

In the third and final part of this series we look at how medical deliveries by drone could help support the health service in remote communities across the UK. We speak with Alex Brown, Head of Operations at Skyports about a recent trial that saw drones making medical deliveries between four NHS hospitals in the Scottish Highlands. This project, which reduced the average transport time from 20 ho...

In part two of our three part series we hear about a recent trial that explored using drones for medical deliveries, including essential PPE items, from Cornwall to remote communities on the Isles of Scilly. This project involved Royal Mail and a consortium funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) who we featured in the first part of this series. We speak with Chris Paxton from the Royal Mail,...

In this episode we begin a three part series that looks at how drones have been used to help the NHS response to COVID-19. We're joined by Simon Masters and Dawn MacGregor from UKRI (UK Research and Innovation), the UK's largest public funder of research and innovation. UKRI's work includes the 'Future flight challenge' which aims to bring together technologies in electrification, aviation systems...

Electric air taxis, also called electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles (eVTOLs), will soon be operational. These ‘green’ aircraft will deliver on-demand urban flights and make trips across cities quick, easy and more affordable. In this episode speak with Brenden Hedblom and David Rottblatt from Eve Air Mobility about the work that is taking place to support the growth of urban air mobili...

Angela and Sonia from our Innovation team discuss how we're working with innovators to look at the different concepts people are working on for future air mobility. That includes everything from the aircraft being developed to the systems that will support them. This builds up to our exciting Future Air Mobility sandbox announcements that are coming soon. You'll find more information about our wor...

Jonathan Nicholson and David Pratt talk Threat and Error Management with Amy Breckell and Neil Winbolt from the CAA's General Aviation unit. Links to more TEM information: CAA: Flight-crew human factors handbook (CAP737) - https://www.caa.co.uk/CAP737 Airspace & Safety Initiative: Avoiding airspace infringements using Threat & Error Management - https://airspacesafety.com/wp-content/upload...

The concept of Unmanned Traffic Management, or UTM, has been developing over the last few years and sets out how unmanned vehicles can be safely integrated into the wider airspace system. This podcast gives an update on the UK's work in this area and the scale and breadth of impact that the integration of UAS into UK airspace could have across the whole aviation system. For more information on Unm...

Jonathan Nicholson and David Pratt talk to Hannah Foskett and Neil Winbolt from the CAA's General Aviation unit about how to prepare to return to the air after a longer than usual break from recreational flying. More information from the CAA at https://www.caa.co.uk/CAP1919 and https://www.caa.co.uk/CAP1925 More information recreational flying is available on our General Aviation podcast at https:...

The innovation sector will play a key role for the aviation industry when the time comes for the recovery from COVID-19 to commence In our latest podcast, our innovation team discuss how vital social licences are, particularly for new innovative industries

CAA Assistant Director Jonathan Nicholson speaks to Tony Rapson and Geoffrey Podger, authors of a new independent safety review commissioned and funded by the Department for Transport. Their review assesses the current level of risk to private pilots, their passengers and third parties of recreational flying in the UK. More information recreational flying is available on our General Aviation podca...

On Air is a monthly podcast from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority featuring experts from across the aviation industry. Each month, you’ll hear how our Innovation team is working with organisations to support new aviation related products and services. We’ll also bring you interviews and updates relating to drones and recreational flying. About this episode In Episode 1 CAA Assistant Director Jona...