CAA launches consultation on making drones and AAM more electronically visible

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has launched a public consultation on proposals that would require many aircraft operating in UK airspace to use electronic conspicuity (EC) technology, as part of efforts to improve safety and support the integration of new airspace users.

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The proposal forms part of broader efforts to modernise UK airspace and accommodate increasing numbers of drones, advanced air mobility vehicles and conventional aircraft within a shared operating environment. The CAA said improving the electronic visibility of aircraft would support the safe integration of emerging aviation technologies while maintaining access for existing airspace users.

The consultation seeks views on introducing a phased mandate for aircraft operating below Flight Level 100 (approximately 10,000 feet) in UK sovereign airspace to carry equipment that electronically broadcasts an aircraft's position. The CAA said the proposal is intended to reduce the risk of mid-air collisions by making aircraft more visible to pilots, air traffic services and other airspace users.

Electronic conspicuity devices transmit an aircraft's location, altitude and other flight information using technologies such as ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast). The CAA said wider adoption would improve situational awareness, particularly in uncontrolled airspace where many general aviation aircraft operate without radar surveillance.

The regulator is seeking feedback on which aircraft should be covered by any future requirement, how a mandate should be introduced, the costs and transition periods involved, and whether alternative approaches could deliver similar safety benefits. The consultation follows previous stakeholder engagement, technical research and trials carried out in collaboration with the Department for Transport as part of the UK's Airspace Modernisation Strategy.

According to the CAA, any mandate would be introduced in phases to allow operators time to equip aircraft and adapt to the new requirements. The consultation also considers exemptions for certain aircraft types and operational circumstances where fitting electronic conspicuity equipment may not be practical.

The consultation is open until later this year, with responses from pilots, aircraft owners, aviation organisations, manufacturers and other stakeholders expected to inform the regulator's final approach. Any decision to introduce a mandate would follow consideration of the evidence submitted during the consultation process.