They are undoubtedly one of the fastest growing sectors in terms of transport and mobility technologies. Drones are focusing a good part of the interest in the S-Moving forum for intelligent mobility. of them spoke Isabel MaestreDirector General of the State Aviation Safety Agency (AESA) offering in the forum an overview of the drone sector in Spain.
In his speech, he detailed that there are more than 3,500 companies that offer drone services in our country, 85 operators and 78 manufacturers registered with the Agency. All this referred to civil drones “almost all are unmanned vehicles of less than 25 kg.”
Regarding the sectors where these drones carry out their activity, Isabel Maestre He clarified that the main areas, from most to least relevant, are: photography, filming and surveys; observation and surveillance; Investigation and development; power and salvage; and aerial advertising.
During his talk, he recognized the importance of regulation and the development of standards for the management of the sector in this country. Firstly, the implementation of Law 18/2014, and secondly, the approval of Royal Decree 1036/2017 in December of last year. He also mentioned that work has been done on the basis of what already existed “the air navigation law, the air safety law, and the rules of the air to enable our airspace so that drones can fly.” Thanks to these changes, the business fabric and research have been strengthened in a sector with great prospects “civilian drones are constantly growing, with a technology that needs a lot of development and with cheap technology costs,” he pointed out.
New possibilities of drones
He also cited the new possibilities offered in the drone sector: being able to fly over cities with drones weighing less than 10 kg, being able to fly in controlled airspace, being able to fly at night, flying with extended line of sight and flying
beyond the visual line of sight. Although he was more cautious about the latter, “the technology is not mature, but the regulations are already open so that this possibility can be given.”
The general manager of TO THAT In his speech, he alluded to how the Agency has helped the sector by creating the Drone Commission (RPAS) where the industry, large users, universities and themselves are. Three working groups have been established in this Commission: technology and security group against illegal acts, regulation and use operations group, and support and promotion group.
Another initiative launched is the Center of Excellence “where the real world of users, their needs with the academy, and suppliers are put in contact.” The Center of Excellence is virtual, it has a committee of experts of 10 to 15 people, experts in drones “who meet with the objective of creating a white paper that will be published at the end of the year.” This white paper will be offered to companies and universities so that they know the demand of the users.
