Aviation Minister speaks about airspace modernisation strategy
and drones at the UKRI's Future of Flight challenge event.
Back in 1903, the Wright brothers took to the sky in the world's
first ever powered flight, a feat of ingenuity and innovation
that won the brothers a place in history. Since then, aviation
has changed, technology has changed, the world has changed but
this industry's spirit has remained the same, with a commitment
to progress echoing through the ages.
Today (21 January 2025), we celebrate the UKRI's Future of Flight
Challenge and your excellent work in advancing this
industry. By creating opportunities across the country and
inspiring economic growth, this sector supports government's
missions and will help us to deliver our bold Plan for Change. That's why
we have re-committed to the Future of Flight strategic outcome,
which includes scaling beyond visual line of sight operations for
drones and bringing eVTOL
aircraft into routine use.
I'm pleased to announce that I'll soon be chairing a renewed
Future of Flight Industry
Group, bringing experts, local leaders and government
together to seize the opportunities and tackle the challenges
ahead. I also welcome the new Regulatory Innovation Office
looking at drones and autonomous technology, which will encourage
even more collaboration in this space.
It was great to see drones in action recently at London Health
Bridge delivering vital medical products. As we turn our thoughts
to what's next, the CAA are working on
transitioning from short term trials to longer term established
operations, reducing the upfront process involved and increasing
the time that operations can run. And I know you share my
thoughts on the importance of the Airspace Modernisation Strategy
as one of our top priorities.
Now, I know you have a busy day ahead of you, so I'd just like to
leave you with words from Orville Wright, one of aviation's
pioneering brothers:
If we all worked on the assumption that what is accepted as true
were really true, there would be little hope of advance.
So, thank you for challenging the status quo, for having the
courage to test the truth and for leading the Future of Flight.
