The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) revealed plans on Tuesday to expand drone usage, particularly for tasks like delivering medical supplies and conducting

inspections of railways and power lines.

The proposed regulations would permit drones to operate beyond the visual line of sight, allowing remote pilots to rely solely on the drone's camera. However, these flights would be restricted to low altitudes and proximity to buildings and infrastructure, minimizing interference with other aircraft.

Currently, drone operations beyond the visual line of sight are limited to trial programs with stringent regulations in the UK.

According to the CAA, drones could revolutionize various industries, including security, infrastructure maintenance, emergency medical supply deliveries, and agricultural land monitoring.

Moreover, these new regulations could open doors for companies like Amazon and parcel delivery services to explore drone-based delivery services in the future.

Kevin Woolsey, head of remotely piloted aircraft systems at the CAA, emphasized that the proposed regulations prioritize safety while advancing the next phase of drone operations in the UK. He expressed confidence that allowing drones to fly beyond the pilot's line of sight, without imposing restrictions on other aircraft, would be a significant milestone for drone operations in the country.

The proposed regulations will undergo a six-week consultation period, during which adjustments may be made based on feedback. Implementation of the changes is expected within the next 12 months.

Under the proposed rules, drones would be required to maintain a close distance to buildings and structures, with specific distance limits such as 30 meters from buildings and 15 meters from roads or railways. On private property, drones could be flown as long as they stay below a maximum height of 15 meters. Photo by Clément Bucco-Lechat, Wikimedia commons.