Government unveils Strategic Plan for Drones Civil Sector Development 2018-2021

This initiative, which has the support of Droniberia, establishes the route to follow to boost the development of a growing sector in a regulated manner.

The Association of Drone Companies of Spain (Droniberia) and advisor to the State Aviation Safety Agency (Aesa) In the Commission of Communication and Dissemination of the Regulations, has attended the recent presentation made by the Minister of Development, Íñigo de la Serna, of the Strategic Plan for the development of the civil drone sector 2018-2021.

This plan defines and organizes the current framework of action with the aim that companies in the sector can position Spain as an international benchmark in this growing environment, that "make it essential to identify and structure the levers to make these forecasts a reality., putting at the service of citizens all the advantages offered by the use of drones and their applications", point from Droniberia.

In fact, the growth of the drone sector has led Aesa to the registration of almost 3.000 operators and 74 Schools authorized for the drone pilot course, According to the data provided by this entity, to the point that at present there are more than 3.754 pilots and 4.375 Aircraft enabled for professional use.

Cross-cutting and multidisciplinary, the Strategic Plan for the Development of the Civil Drone Sector 2018-2021 Defines and organizes the framework of action to improve the competitiveness and leadership of companies in the sector, in such a way that, "Over the next few years they can be strengthened, mature and grow, positioning Spain as an international reference in this field", for which four strategic axes are established, which are structured in eight lines of action and twenty-nine initiatives.

The first axis is framed within the regulatory field, with the aim of achieving an agile and efficient implementation of the regulations approved last December, as well as the elaboration of a European regulation (currently in the definition phase).

In this area, the free web application developed by ENAIRE, offering assistance to pilots and operators of remotely piloted aircraft (RPAS), making aeronautical data and information available to you (Plan your flight, Read warnings and alerts in advance of flying a drone knowing areas to avoid, Etc.) that facilitate the identification of possible restrictions to fly drones in a certain airspace according to current legislation.

Broader spectrum, The second axis encompasses the actions that pursue the strengthening and growth of companies in this environment, through the promotion of R + D + i in the sector. The third focuses on improving knowledge of a sector that goes far beyond traditional aeronautics., through the corresponding management tasks for its knowledge and dissemination.

The last axis involves coordination actions between the different administrations involved in all areas of drones, covering aspects such as the safety of operations with this equipment, Privacy protection, Etc.

Drones will have to be part of the new technological ecosystem, in which technologies such as big data, IoT or artificial intelligence are gaining more and more prominence in society and, that's why, "The development of the sector must necessarily be linked to a firm commitment to innovation., Ambitious and avant-garde, that considers the drone as a key element integrated into our day to day", point out from this association".

In this sense, and as pointed out by the Secretary General of Droniberia, Jose Antonio Alvarez (in the image above), "The Administration has taken an important step and Aesa has opened its doors in working commissions to all actors linked to the growth of the sector and has allowed us to do things that were previously prohibited. In addition, For 2021 We expect a European regulation that will further organize the sector. It will be our responsibility to ensure that Spain is at the forefront of these advances.".

Other articles on Aesa, Droniberia, ENAIRE