The drone economy is booming, with applications ranging from infrastructure inspection and aerial mapping, to search and rescue and package delivery. To manage all of the drone traffic and ensure that it does not pose a risk to ‘traditional’ (manned) aviation, and to property and people on the ground, there is a need for technologies, regulations, procedures and services to safely and securely integrate drones – also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) – in controlled and uncontrolled airspace.

Within the EU, rules on airspace dedicated to drones, called U-Space, came into effect in January 2023. The U-Space will enable more complex and long-distance (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) drone operations and is expected to be fully implemented by 2030.

To shed light on the technologies and challenges associated with the integration of drones in controlled and uncontrolled airspace – including U-Space – the Institute of Aerospace Technologies at the University of Malta is organising a FREE face-to-face seminar called 'Safely integrating drones in airspace'. This seminar will take place on Friday the 12th of May and is open to University of Malta staff and students with an interest in drones and/or who work with drones at a professional level. The seminar will feature presentations and demos by local and foreign experts in the field including Dr Ing. Jason Gauci (from the Institute of Aerospace Technologies), Mr Christian Janke (from Embry Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide Campus), Prof. Maarten Uijt de Haag (from TU Berlin), and Ms Analiza Abdilla (from the Civil Aviation Directorate at Transport Malta).

For more information and to register for this seminar, please complete the registration form accessible online.