EU Asia Symposium on UAS/UAM: Key Takeaways and Highlights

Members of the Singapore UAS Community participated in and presented at the inaugural European Union–Asia Symposium on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) held at the Goodwood Park Hotel from 18 to 21 October 2022.

Organised by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the event marked the first time that regulators from Europe and Asia-Pacific were gathered to discuss UAS and UAM regulations alongside leading industry players and researchers. With over 20 civil aviation authorities participating in the four-day symposium, there was a great engagement among participants, leading to important discussions on UAS and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) development and regulations.

Some 140 participants attended the event in-person in Singapore and with others joining in online. Photo: NTU International

Key Discussion Points

Industry players provided regulators with valuable feedback on the future of the industry on day 1 of the symposium. One of the key points made was the expectation that in the next 10 years, demand for UAM and BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) operations over populated areas would increase exponentially. As such, it is crucial for regulators to drive the development appropriate regulations that can support the growth of the industry while ensuring safety and security.

The cost per mile of air taxis was another significant factor that was discussed, with industry players predicting that the cost per mile of air taxis would eventually become similar to ground transportation, making them more accessible to a wider range of consumers. However, the reduction of cost and battery weight would be a major driver of commercial viability, as these factors can significantly impact the economics of operations.

Public acceptance of UAM operations was also identified as a critical factor in the success of the industry. Industry players emphasised the need to gain public acceptance, among others by iterating respect for privacy and the natural environment. Industry players agreed that there would need to be coordination and cooperation with regulators to ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place to protect the privacy of individuals while also minimizing the impact of UAM operations on the environment.

Research on UAS traffic management and airspace integration was also identified as key to enabling scalable operations. Industry players underscored the importance of continued research in this area to develop effective systems that can manage the increasing number of UAS and UAM operations, as well as the global harmonization of standards for UAS, UAM, UTM-U-Space and vertiports. This is critical to ensuring that regulations and standards are consistent across different regions and countries, enabling the seamless integration of UAM operations into aviation systems and for cross-border operations.

A Common Goal of Promoting Urban Air Mobility

The symposium was also marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between CAAS and EASA on 18 October 2022 with CAAS Director-General Mr Han Kok Juan and EASA Strategy and Safety Management Director Mr Luc Tytgat as signatories. Through the MOU, the regulators signalled their commitment to collaborate on regulatory standards and safety requirements for VTOL aircraft, including the competencies of personnel involved in the operation of such aircraft, the certification requirements for operations in hot and humid environments and the requirements for training organisations. The MOU also covered collaboration on strategies for outreach to relevant stakeholders on urban air mobility and analysis on public attitudes towards urban air mobility and VTOL, as well as conferences, workshops and other joint activities on the industrys.

(From left) Mr Luc Tytgat and Mr Han Kok Juan, representing EASA and CAAS respectively at the signing of the MOU. Photo: NTU International

Describing the CAAS-EASA MOU as a ‘pathfinder’, Mr Han said, “In the last few years, we have seen quantum leaps in UAS and UAM development. The potential benefits are tremendous. Realising them will require concomitant development in regulation and regulators need to keep pace with technology and business developments to assure safety and security and build public confidence and acceptance. As the technology is novel, we cannot do this alone but need to work together to share knowledge and pool regulatory resources.”

As part of the programme, a field visit to the Maritime Drone Estate was held to provide attendees with an opportunity to learn how Singapore facilitates the development of novel technology in a regulatory test-bed environment. The visit allowed participants to witness first-hand how unmanned systems and autonomous vehicles were being tested and deployed in maritime logistics and surveillance. The symposium concluded with a networking evening hosted by CAAS at the National Gallery.

Mr Ryan Lee, CEO & Co-Founder of Heron AirBridge, providing a briefing and demo at the Maritime Drone Estate. Photo: NTU International

Overall, the EU-Asia Symposium on UAS/UAM and the CAAS-EASA MOU highlight the proactive approach towards regulatory development and demonstrates the regulators’ commitment to keeping pace with advancements in the industry. This is well summed up by Mr Tytgat, “We know that traditionally regulators lag behind industry developments and innovations. Both this MOU and the wider symposium will contribute to regulators getting ahead of the technology curve in support of our future safety oversight responsibilities.”