EVENTS

International Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Conference
25/26 September 2024, Bucharest

Download Day 1 Presentations
Download Day 2 Presentations

UAS in Romania and Eastern Europe
Challenges and Opportunities

Conference organised in partnership with the Romanian Civil Aeronautical Authority, ROMATSA, International Qualified Entity – IQE, the Romanian Aeronautical Association and supported by EuroUSC-Benelux (a Qualified Entity for UAS since 2015 under the Dutch law) and the College of Legal Advisors Bucharest.
  • Participants: Governmental, semi-governmental organisations and UAS industry participants (Operators, manufactures etc.) in
    Romania and bordering countries.

General Objectives of the Conference

  • Information sharing, update knowledge, share experiences between governmental regulatory organizations and the UAS – sector (commercial and non-commercial).
  • Current and upcoming changes to the regulatory framework (ICAO, EU/EASA and national).
  • Identify opportunities to accommodate and facilitate solutions for UAS sector to contribute to the growth of the UAS sector in Romania and the region.
  • Identify opportunities for the CAA’s and for the UAS-sector to create a situation / or describe how existing support systems could simplify and facilitate the existing mandatory processes to obtain approvals to operate and review new applications for an approval.
  • Address concerns and interest of the participants in interactive meetings.
  • Specific side-meetings can be scheduled around the conference to make optimal use of the availability of the Key-note speakers.

Context of the Conference

The EU-EASA UAS regulatory framework is a “Work in Progress” and therefore continuously changing. The Regulatory framework is very complex and the requirements are located in various different regulations and the EU-EASA UAS regulatory framework is still not stable. Romanian and regional UAS Industry is not familiar with all the requirements for the UAS activities they already perform or want to start performing soon. Romanian and neighbouring States support the UAS Industry in their home countries. Most of the CAA’s are understaffed, and it is difficult and very challenging to meet the EU/EASA Authority Requirements as well as the UAS-sector demands. Keeping up with all the technological UAS developments is not easy for the staff involved in implementing the regulations, including performing the necessary oversight, and providing advice to the industry. Differences of interpretation between Member States lead to unfair competition between companies operating in different countries. The EU promotes the use of UAS and there are European funds available but for the SME’s it is difficult to get access to these funds. Different regulatory frameworks (EU/EASA and National) have to be taken into account (which requires expertise) to be able to operate UAS. Examples are environmental regulation, privacy, drone, product liability. Small operators do not have such extensive knowledge. SORA 2.0 (or PDRA) is complex for those persons with non-aviation background and the input for a SORA needs the participation from various aviation domains. A new version of SORA 2.0, which is called SORA 2.5 has recently been published by JARUS (Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems) U-space is necessary, yet, the legal framework is more focused on bigger UAS and u-space service providers. It is often unclear what status the remote pilot holds in specific categories in terms of intermobility of skills and competencies.
Conclusions of the UAS Conference

UAS CONFERENCE AGENDA

Day 1, Wednesday, September 25, 2024

Day 2, Thursday, September 26, 2024

Additional information regarding the Workshops:

Each workshop starts with 10 minutes of introduction, subject and objective of the meeting and a short introduction from target group and then discussion /questions with participants on the issues (and possible solutions) they face. For each group we need a moderator and we also have to arrange a report to the plenary meeting.

 Each workshop will have a central theme; challenges in the optimalisation from viewpoint of ….

  • ANSP and other Service providers
  • Manufactures
  • Operators
  • Companies / semi-governmental organisations that want to use drones (surveillance forests etc.)

 To illustrate the different issues the persons introducing the subjects are requested to / introduce the topics is by using cases, e.g.: 

  • Case study – e.g., One company who wants to contract a drone operator e.g. inspection of chemical complex; where should the operator apply to? Are there standards available, which standards? How to check compliance with those standards etc. What are the respective responsibilities?
  • Use of civil drones for military operations or
  • How to use / adapt military drones to operate under the civil aviation system. 

(The outcome of the workshops is also input for follow up activities which will be t at the end of the conferences as topics to work on etc.)

UAS CONFERENCE LOGISTICS AND AMENITIES

 Venue :

Amfiteatru Aula Magna, located in the University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, Rectorate Building.

         Main Entrance in the University Campus

  UAS Conference Room & Workshop

        Reforma 9 University Cafeteria

       Parking place inside the University Campus

(Available at €1 per 2 hours)

  • Coffee Breaks: Provided by the organizers just outside the entrance to the main conference room.
  • Lunch: Available at Reforma 9 University Cafeteria (a 5-minute walk) or at nearby venues outside the University Campus.
  • Accomodation: Special rates are offered for participants at Phoenicia Grand Hotel. To book, emailreservations@phoenicia.ro  (CC: sales1@phoenicia.ro) and use the promo code IQEUAS

 https://maps.app.goo.gl/xR6gDv7cMevDapSRA

Conclusion of the International UAS Conference: Insights and Pathways Forward

The International UAS Conference, held on September 25-26, 2024 in Bucharest, brought together experts, industry leaders, regulatory authorities and innovative minds from the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) sector. The event served as a platform for exchanging knowledge, discussing emerging trends and addressing the regulatory and operational challenges that the UAS industry faces today.

With the rapid expansion of UAS applications in both civil and commercial sectors, the conference emphasized the importance of creating a balanced regulatory framework that ensures safety while fostering innovation. Participants engaged in discussions on current regulatory practices, shared practical experiences and explored new technologies shaping the future of UAS operations. The event provided an invaluable opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate, share insights and chart a path forward for the sustainable growth of the UAS ecosystem, particularly in Romania and the surrounding region.

Special attention was given to the challenges posed by new risk assessment requirements, such as those outlined in SORA 2.5, which represent a critical step in advancing regulatory compliance and safety in the industry.

In conclusion, the International UAS Conference has laid the groundwork for ongoing dialogue and cooperation within the UAS community. As the sector continues to evolve, the shared knowledge and practical approaches discussed during the event will help pave the way for more effective regulatory frameworks and operational practices. The collective commitment to addressing challenges and embracing innovation will ensure that the UAS industry thrives in a safe, efficient and sustainable manner.