Moonrock Newsletter – 1st April Update

It’s been another inspirational, innovative period for the drone industry so please enjoy this latest newsletter from your experts Moonrock Drone Insurance.

We’re drone/eVTOL specialists and this regular update is designed to help you keep on-top of the latest news, regulations, insights and technological developments in the commercial market.

Where we’re going, we don’t need roads…

The UK government has set a course for the first flying taxis by 2026 and regular drone deliveries across our skies by 2027 with the publication of its Future of Flight action plan.

Setting out a roadmap for drones and novel electric aircraft in the UK, the plan details how technology, once confined to the realm of sci-fi could transform our skies, with studies estimating drone technology could boost the UK economy by £45 billion by the end of the decade.

Aviation and Technology Minister, Anthony Browne, said:  “Cutting-edge battery technology will revolutionise transport as we know it – this plan will make sure we have the infrastructure and regulation in place to make it a reality. 

“From flying taxis to emergency service drones, we’re making sure the UK is at the forefront of this dramatic shift in transportation – improving people’s lives and boosting the economy.”

An amphibious future for drones

Future Opportunities for Seaplanes and Amphibious Aviation (FOSAA), organised by Quaynote Communications and Arena Group, hosted its first conference on amphibious drones last month.

The event, which took place in Venice, considered propulsion technology, operational standardisation, regulation, design and applications for the technology.

Conference organiser, Lorna Titley of Quaynote Communications, told SUAS: “We learned that amphibious aviation offers a perfect combination of flexibility, access, and secure operations that serve first and last-mile sectors, regional needs, and communities otherwise disconnected by large tracts of water.

“With more than 70% of the planet covered in water and millions of miles of coastline and river attracting communities, cities and metropolises, there is no doubt that as we look to the future, this group of professionals will add a vital new offering to the global air transport network.”

Industry milestone as EHang’s eVTOL passenger drone achieves certification in China

EHang Holdings, the urban air mobility technology platform company, announced that its EH216-S passenger-carrying unmanned aerial vehicle system has obtained the standard Airworthiness Certificate from the Civil Aviation Administration of China.

It marks the first of its kind globally for the cutting-edge pilotless passenger-carrying electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Moonrock is proud to support EHang by providing insurance for its flights.

Huazhi Hu, Founder, Chairman and CEO of EHang, commented; “Bolstered by a suite of supportive policies on the low-altitude economy (a strategic emerging industry in China), EHang and the UAV industry are presented with tremendous opportunities. Today, we have set another milestone with the first AC for pilotless passenger-carrying eVTOL aircraft and started commercial delivery of the certified EH216-S to our customers. In the near future, we anticipate an increasing number of aircraft rolling off from our production line to gradually fulfil our backlog orders, thereby serving more customers and passengers, and enhancing the UAM.”

EHang has already delivered EH216-S models to ETON, an intelligent aviation technology subsidiary of Guangzhou Development District Communications Investment Group.

Wing expands DoorDash drone delivery partnership in the US

Following a successful year-long trial in Australia, Wing is expanding its partnership with DoorDash to the United States, bringing Wendy’s meals to customers with speedy drone delivery.

Starting with service from one Wendy’s restaurant, Christiansburg, Virginia customers will see an option in the DoorDash app to have their Wendy’s favourites delivered by drone.

CAA reveals thinking in latest Future of Flight update

The Civil Aviation Authority has published its Future of Flight update. The update features information on cyber security guidance for innovators and, crucially, news of a safer drone use education programme. It committed to the integration of Future of Flight vehicles, including drones, into the aviation system and said it reco9gnised the environmental, economic and social benefits  of developing the regulatory system to include these types of vehicles

ARPAS-UK appoints director and flags webinar

Trade body and membership organisation ARPAS-UK has welcomes Sarah Lay to its board of directors. According to an update on the site, throughout her career, Sarah is proud to have been able to contribute to its development and improvement in areas such as safety management, safety training, safety culture and human performance. Whilst focussing on managing and delivering safety and operational efficiency improvement initiatives, she has a keen interest in understanding wider societal implications such as environmental safety, security and economic impacts.

The body also pointed to a webinar which is being hosted on 25 April. The discussion will cover ‘What is an Accountable Manager and Why Does My Organisation Need One?’ and has been developed in response to freshly developed Civil Aviation Authority changes to regulations classifying operators of drones and drone services. The webinar is open to non-members and starts at 12.30 GMT.

CHIRP accident report

The Confidential Human Factors Incident Reporting Programme, or CHIRP, is an organisation developed to enhance the safety of the aviation industry by encouraging the self-reporting of accidents and errors. It provides a confidential, independent reporting system to pilots and individuals involved in any type of flight in the UK. It provides feedback on the incidents with the aim of creating a safer industry for all.

On incident flagged to the body consisted of an incident while flying a drone indoors. The report stated: “During an First Person View (FPV) Indoor flight, when attempting to finish a transition to an open window, the UAS clipped the window catch causing it to lose control and fall to the ground outside from a height of 5m.”

Happily the incident did not cause any damage to the drone or property but CHIRP flagged a number of key lessons. Firstly, keeping the window closed is best practice, secondly, pilots must account for operating in binocular view and plan accordingly to account for this.