COLOGNE, December 17, 2020 – The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has published the full regulatory framework setting the parameters for drone services such as parcel delivery in urban areas, railway and power lines inspection, or delivery of essential supplies into crisis zones.
The framework enables unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operations in urban environment categorised as medium risk in the specific category. It comprises the Agency Decision amending the risk assessment methodology with regard to flight over-populated areas and assemblies of people, and the Airworthiness Standards known as Special Condition Light UAS Medium Risk.
The standards are the result of a proposal published in July and take into account the comments received from stakeholders. Standards for the operations characterised by a high risk in the specific category are scheduled to be published by EASA in 2021.
“With the publication of these documents, European drone operators can now safely operate drones in populated areas,” EASA Executive Director Patrick Ky said. “This is a matter of concern and interest for many European citizens and we are pleased to now have the needed regulatory framework in place to allow industry to go ahead and implement new innovative service solutions.”
Source : EASA publishes regulatory framework for drone service deliveries | EASA