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EASA developing plans to include drones in its ADS-L general aviation e-conspicuity programme

Published on February 28th, 2025
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EASA developing plans to include drones in its ADS-L general aviation e-conspicuity programme

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has given Unmanned Airspace more information about its plans to include drones within its ADS-L equipment programme.

At the recent Xponential event in Dusseldorf, Rachel Daeschler Certification Director at EASA, told conference  delegates that EASA is considering how ADSB Light can be introduced into the drone community to improve e-conspicuity; either by incentives or mandates. In an EASA statement, the agency has given further details about its plans.

EASA ADS-L guidelines

“At the request of partner national authorities and the drone industry, EASA has already proposed the possibility of optional use of the ADS-L out standard for UAS operations beyond visual line of sight, subject to SORA and NAA approval. The updated ADS-L 4 SRD860 Technical Specification Issue 2 will document this option,“ said the Agency.

“In addition, EASA recognises the great safety potential that mutual interoperable situational awareness of manned and unmanned aircraft could offer. Therefore, EASA has already initiated technical discussions with industry partners to explore the best way to achieve this goal, considering ADS-L and also other suitable solutions. We will share the results of these discussions and any related proposal when they are more mature.“

Originally published on Unmanned Airspace

Image: Shutterstock

Philip Butterworth-Hayes
Philip Butterworth-Hayes is a consultant and writer specialising in air traffic management, aviation safety, military and civil aviation issues. He was formerly Managing Editor of Jane’s Transport Press and editor of Jane’s Airport Review, Jane’s World Airlines, Jane’s Defence Industries and Jane’s Aircraft Component Manufacturers. He is the editorial director of PMI Media Limited, a regular contributor on ATM and aviation safety issues to the BBC, CNN and the Wall Street Journal.
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