Drones: Roadmap to Aviation Autonomy
About
CAP 3182, published by the CAA in October 2025, describes how the UK can iteratively
adopt routine BVLOS operations rather than through segregating airspace or by
exceptional permissions. The CAA see three main routes to BVLOS Ops: Atypical Air
Environments (AAE), Low-level urban, and fully-integrated BVLOS. Whist AAE and
Low-level urban operations form an important element of this journey, it is a fully
integrated air traffic management, or ITM system that is the key to scalable BVLOS
operations. At Yeovil Airfield, Volant Autonomy and Somerset Council are collaborating
to develop a Future Flight Innovation Zone or FFIZ. The FFIZ will incorporate Yeovil,
Yeovilton and Merryfield airfields and their airspace to provide a regional test bed for nextgen aviation technologies.
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Continuing Professional Development
This event can contribute towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours as part of the IET's CPD monitoring scheme.
19 Feb 2026
6:30pm - 8:00pm
Organiser
- Somerset and West Wiltshire Local Network
Speakers
Dr. David James Cleaver
CEO - Volant Autonomy
Dr. David James Cleaver is a highly experienced aerospace engineer and the Chief Executive
Officer of Volant Autonomy. Volant develops autonomous flight guidance systems that enable
crewed and uncrewed aircraft to operate in common airspace. He co-founded the company in 2018
alongside academic and aerospace professional colleagues, drawing on
his expertise in aerospace engineering and autonomy to lead the
company’s mission to create risk-aware flight planning, detect-and-avoid
systems, and integrated traffic management solutions for next-generation
aviation.
Programme
Arrive 6pm for a 6:30pm start