Drone Alliance Europe (DAE) commends the European Parliament for adopting updated common rules in the field of civil aviation and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
The legislation would establish the first EU-wide regulatory framework for drones, an important step toward accelerating the integration of drones into our everyday lives for the benefit of all European citizens and businesses.
DAE echoes European Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc, who remarked yesterday during the EP Plenary session that the rules are essential to „ensuring competitiveness of European aviation,” and thanks her for her leadership.
In particular, the Alliance also wishes to thank Rapporteur Marian-Jean Marinescu MEP for his work to advance the proposal through the TRAN Committee and trilogue negotiation process. DAE looks forward to Council consideration of the updated common rules, the final procedural step before formal implementation. Meanwhile, the Alliance continues to work with the Commission, EASA, and other industry stakeholders to finalise the proposed Delegated Act and Implementing Rules outlining technical requirements for drones and drone operations.
EU-wide rules for safety of drones approved by European Parliament
On Tuesday, MEPs approved an agreement reached between Council and Parliament negotiators in November 2017 on EU-wide principles for drones and drone operators to ensure a common level of safety and give operators and manufacturers the predictability to develop products and services. Currently, most drones fall under differing national rules, which can hamper market development.
Under new rules, drones would need to be designed so that they can be operated without putting people at risk. Based on risk related to, for example, the weight of the drone or area of operation, the drone would need additional features, such as automated landing in case the operator loses contact with the drone or collision avoidance systems.
Drone operators need to be aware of all the rules that apply to them and must be able to operate a drone safely, without putting people or other airspace users at risk. This means that some drone operators would be required to go through training before they can operate a drone.
Civil drone technology could account for an estimated 10% of the EU aviation market within the next 10 years (i.e. about €15 billion per year). According to the Commission, the drone industry could create some 150,000 jobs in the EU by 2050.
.
