Remotely piloted aircraft systems

Key EESC messages

• Europe is extraordinarily well placed to reap the benefits of a developing remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) industry, which promotes employment and cements Europe's role as a knowledge centre for technology and development. Existing European SME funding could further stimulate the development of the RPAS industry.
• The terms RPAS and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) follow the international regulations set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). ICAO does not use the description "drone", but it is now firmly established in popular parlance. In order to avoid legal confusion, including as regards liability and insurance, it would nonetheless be advisable to work towards using the ICAO terminology in the European context.
• One of the fundamental prerequisites for the use of small RPAS is the existence of harmonised rules, in particular for operators of RPAS, pertaining to safety and training; together with rules and appropriate provisions for privacy, data protection, liability and insurance. This will necessitate new or tougher standards that apply to both private and commercial use, for example with regard to the identification of smaller RPAS, and protection from hacking and from third parties taking over control. The Committee recommends that the Commission take a proactive role here.
• The Committee fully supports the stated aim of the Communication , namely to assess how to create an excellent investment climate for RPAS activities in the European Union, both for production and for operations. It also stresses the resulting positive effects on direct and indirect employment and the associated increase in productivity in general.

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