UK CAA sets out a plan for medical supply delivery through drones

A new proposal from the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) sets out a plan for medical supply delivery through drone operations.

These proposals are part of the U.K. Future Flight Programme and seek to expand drone capabilities by permitting operations beyond remote pilots’ visual line of sight (BVLOS). The proposed measures involve drones operating at low altitudes and near buildings or infrastructure to minimize conflicts with manned aircraft.

Current drone piloting rules in the U.K require the pilot to have the drone within eyesight, and they are only permitted to fly BVLOS under certain strict restrictions.

“Our proposals are a positive step towards unlocking the next stage for drone flying in the U.K.,” Kevin Woolsey, head of remotely piloted aircraft systems at the U.K. Civil Aviation Authority, said in a news release. “Allowing drones to fly beyond the sight of the remote pilot, without placing restrictions on other aircraft in the area, will be a major achievement for U.K. drone operations.”

The Civil Aviation Authority has identified sensible mitigations on where drones can fly using the proposed concept to ensure safety. Notably, the agency proposed drones fly in atypical air environments, which are areas with few conventionally piloted aircraft due to the proximity of ground infrastructure. Once an atypical air environment policy is adopted, the U.K. CAA plans to work with several operators to help scale its implementation.

The consultation period for these proposals will last six weeks, during which stakeholders are encouraged to provide feedback on the Civil Aviation Authority website.

Past use of drones in medical supply delivery
Companies in the U.S. have received authorization from the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) to deliver medical supplies using a drone. The U.S. authorizes drone deliveries through FAA 135 air carrier certifications. Flying routes under the certification can reach up to 26 miles roundtrip.

San Francisco-based Zipline was authorized in June 2022 to complete the longest-range on-demand commercial drone deliveries in the U.S. The certification allowed the company to expand service in the U.S. with partners like Novant Health, Cardinal Health and more.

Cardinal Health partnered with Zipline to deliver pharmaceutical products and medical supplies in North Carolina. The company said in June 2022 after the first deliveries that the flights would make it easier for patients to access the products they needed. MassDevice