UK CAA publishes report on managing drone and eVTOL noise

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has published a report on possible ways to measure and manage noise from drones and electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

Drones and eVTOL aircraft are generally expected to be quieter than conventional aircraft, according to the regulator. The CAA said it wants to understand how communities may experience that noise and to support safe, sustainable integration of the aircraft into UK airspace.

Commercial drone operations are forecast to grow substantially over the next decade, with possible uses including infrastructure inspection, emergency response, logistics and the transport of medical supplies. The CAA calls commercial eVTOL development in the UK one of the fastest-moving parts of aviation, with airport transfers, regional connectivity and emergency services support among the early expected applications.

As these services move from trials toward more routine operation, the regulator is looking to establish effective ways of managing noise. It said the arrival of more commercial drone activity will depend on how effects on communities are understood and handled.

The publication is titled Managing Noise from Emerging Aviation Technolo