§ Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to meet the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association to discuss the forthcoming Aviation White Paper. [71849]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Secretary of State has no plans to meet the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association. The UAVSA will, however, be sent a copy of the Department's consultation paper on development options at airports around the UK, to which the Association may respond. If the Association has other concerns it wishes to raise then it should make representations to the relevant departmental officials.
§ Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what forecast he has made of the change in the numbers of unmanned aerial vehicles over the next five years; what assessment he has made of the safety and economic benefits of unmanned aerial vehicles; and what assessment he has made of the civilian and commercial[ applications of unmanned aerial vehicle systems. [71841]
§ Mr. JamiesonIt is difficult to forecast the change in numbers of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over the next five years, but the CAA has established a framework to help ensure that any future UAV operations are integrated safely and with minimal impact on existing, airspace users.
The CAA's Directorate of Airspace Policy has published a guidance document, "Guidance for UAV Operations in UK Airspace", designed to provide consolidated information for UAV operators, both military and civil. The CAA is awaiting applications from Industry to fly UAVs but to date there has been little Interest.