Vertical Aerospace
Drone technology will transform our skies by the end of the decade, according to the Department of Transport’s Future of Flight action plan.
Aviation projects have been under way for some time to demonstrate the feasibility of using drones in urban environments, including electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
What was once conjecture is to become reality. With the government and industry’s joint Future of Flight action plan we may see flying taxis, crime-fighting drones and critical care deliveries in our skies by 2030.
Indeed, visitors to this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris will be able to fly to venues using air taxis for the first time. Air travel companies are planning to equip Olympic venues with eVTOL landing systems to transport visitors from the airport to events.
As set out in the Future of Flight action plan, the UK could see the first piloted flying taxi flight by 2026 and regular services by 2028, regular drone deliveries across our skies by 2027 and demos of autonomous flying taxis without pilots on board by 2030.
According to government, studies estimate that drone technology could boost the UK economy by £45bn by the end of the decade.
“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,” said aviation and technology minister Anthony Browne.
The plan was unveiled by Browne today during a visit to Vertical Aerospace, a Bristol-based company pioneering flying taxis in the UK. Its eVOTL designs are already undergoing the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorisation process at the UK’s first vertiport testbed for the air taxi industry.
“The UK has a long heritage in aerospace and the publication of this plan sets out how we will lead the next revolution of flight. With government and business working together, we can unleash the huge economic, environmental, and social benefits of zero emissions flight globally,” said Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO, Vertical Aerospace.
Below is a video showing Vertical Aerospace’s full-scale eVTOL aircraft successfully flying at Cotswold Airport last summer in a series of remotely piloted ‘thrustborne’ test flights.
The action plan also allows drones to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) so the sector can grow without limiting the skies for other aircraft.
The plan also sets out how smaller existing aerodromes can operate as vertiports and the standards that need to be developed to improve security for drones to boost public safety.
Duncan Walker, chief executive of Skyports and chairman of the Future of Flight Industry Group, said: “By supporting research and development in electric aircraft and drones, and with the help of key partners like the CAA, the action plan aims to usher in a new era of eco-friendly aviation and boost the economy with new investments, ensuring the UK captures the full potential of this emerging global industry as a force for good and a driver of growth.”
Drones have already been used by the police and the NHS, and the plan aims to build on these uses. For instance, in July 2023, West Midlands Police used drones to track down two offenders and a suspect.
UK drone service provider Skyfarer partnered with University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust and Medical Logistics UK to test drones to deliver surgical implants and pathology samples between sites, leading to 70% faster delivery times.
