Briefing press conference on Tuesday 27 November
Amsterdam, 27 November 2018 – Drone users can expect common European rules supporting safe operations of drones. Pilots will have to take sufficient measures to minimize the risk of accidents and those who use drones beyond visual line of sight will need to provide a risk analysis before receiving approval from the authorities. In addition, the unmanned aircraft expected to be used by general public will need to be fitted with a chip that prevents them from flying in prohibited areas and will be subject to a maximum altitude of 120 metres.
European regulation is one of the main themes to be discussed at the first ever Amsterdam Drone Week (ADW), which will be held from 26 to 30 November. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) will provide an overview on the new regulations, while ADW-partners Boeing, Airbus and Uber will be unveiling their plans for the future. A press conference about the common European regulation is scheduled on Tuesday 27 November at 12.30 'o clock.
EASA
According to Patrick Ky, EASA’s Executive Director, it’s crucial to establish European harmonisation for this relatively new aviation sector. “Growth is a good thing, but we should maintain a certain degree of control to ensure safe operations.” Member states currently all have their own regulations which means that safety has been addressed however those regulations are not harmonised. Drones can fly at a higher altitude in some countries than in others, for instance. This generates confusion which then could lead to unsafe situations, especially in border regions. “Member states understand the urgency to do something about this”, adds Ky.
RAI
Also Paul Riemens, CEO of RAI Amsterdam and initiator of the event, emphasizes the need of the new regulations. As a former CEO of the Dutch air traffic control centre (Luchtverkeersleiding Nederland) and chairman of the umbrella association of the world’s air traffic control organisations (CANSO), Riemens knows the importance of clear rules. It is only once such rules are established and enforced that the infrastructure needed for the practical use of drones can be realised. “This is about ensuring the safety of airspace and of society at large”, he stresses. “New regulations will give the drone industry a major boost. Amsterdam Drone Week will facilitate discussions, innovations and connections.”
Boeing
Boeing sees “a pressing need to create a new kind of global airspace that’s safe, reliable and robust enough to accommodate diverse vehicles, whether they’re piloted or autonomous”, as explained by Steve Nordlund, Vice President and General Manager of Boeing NeXt. “Through Boeing’s technology development and investments, and our work with new and existing partners and regulators, we are uniting the key enablers to make the future of safe, seamless mobility a reality.”
Airbus
Airbus underlines the vital need to shape future regulations in a way that will facilitate the co-existence of all types of air vehicles in a shared urban airspace. “The new prospects for transport and mobility are compelling solutions for urban congestion,” says Jean Brice Dumont, Executive Vice-President of Engineering, Airbus Commercial Aircraft. “When envisioning a future that utilises the third dimension for urban mobility, Airbus is committed to working collaboratively to craft a blueprint for the skies that ensures safe and efficient future air traffic management solutions.”
About Amsterdam Drone Week
Amsterdam Drone Week will take place from 26 to 30 November 2018. The partners are aircraft manufacturers Boeing, Bell and Airbus, and the passenger transporter Uber, IDS Cooperation are also involved. The Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Cora van Nieuwenhuizen will be an ambassador for the event. Start-ups, technology companies and scientific institutes will all be represented, and the event will be attended by policy makers from several countries. There are a number of European conferences on the programme, with lots of attention given to technological developments. There will also be flight and other demonstrations presenting the latest generation of drones and special applications. More information and registration are available on www.amsterdamdroneweek.com.
About RAI Amsterdam
Bringing people together, both physically and virtually, expands borders and inspires. RAI Amsterdam has been bringing different worlds, people and markets together, at home and abroad, since 1893. The RAI is an international exhibition and conference organiser for events in the Netherlands and abroad, and operator of the RAI Convention Centre in the Zuidas district of Amsterdam. RAI Amsterdam welcomes around 1.5 million visitors to some 500 events each year, including exhibitions, conferences, corporate events and other events. It also provides event-related services to event organisers, exhibitors and visitors. For more information see www.rai.nl.