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Written Question
Aerospace Industry: Small Businesses
Wednesday 7th May 2025

Asked by: Mark Francois (Conservative - Rayleigh and Wickford)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps the Civil Aviation Authority is taking to support small and medium-sized enterprises to test innovative aerospace technologies that require exemptions from standard Civil Aviation Authority boundaries.

Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department through its Future of Flight programme and support for Jet Zero technology is working with the CAA to enable testing of innovative aerospace technologies by mainly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This includes:

  • Introducing a new “Recognised Test Sites” status for Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) platforms which allow drones manufacturers and operators to apply for authorisation to conduct operations at these recognised test sites with streamlined procedures;
  • Developing an Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) delivery model alongside industry;
  • Expanding the Hydrogen in Aviation Regulatory Challenge in the current financial year by working with a range of companies, including SMEs, to prepare for the use of hydrogen as a zero-carbon aviation fuel.
  • The Future Flight Challenge (a UKRI funded project) has provided funding to support innovators to access CAA expertise, guidance, and viewpoints on regulations by providing a focal point of contact and information.
  • The CAA launched the Innovation Hub to create an environment where innovation in aviation can develop in line with the CAA principles such as helping innovators maximise regulatory preparation for the demonstration of their aviation systems, by testing them in safe environments and learning how they address regulatory challenges.