The use of drones in an urban environment, especially in the context of logistics, is expected to increase substantially in the coming years. This emerging technology poses a potential threat to other aircraft in the airspace, as well as to human beings and other assets on the ground. In order to mitigate these risks, it is vital to know where an automated drone is, where it is allowed to fly and when. Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI) can be used as a useful tool to standardize automated drone flight data and facilitate the integration of drones into an airspace in a safe manner. This paper proposes an extension to the Infrastructure for Spatial Information in the European Community (INSPIRE). The proposed model is based on the relevant regulations of European Union (EU) and the Unites States of America (USA), and considers the state-of-the-art literature on drone logistics in an urban environment.

The uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV or drone) industry is expanding, offering services such as video/photography, inspection, monitoring, surveying, and logistics. This is leading to competing demands for airspace with existing crewed aircraft activities, especially in uncontrolled airspace. As a result, there is an increasingly urgent need for a shared airspace solution that enables drones to be integrated with the wider aviation community in unsegregated operations. The purpose of this research was to engage with the drone industry to understand their issues regarding shared airspace as an important first step in the co-development of operating procedures that can provide equitable airspace access for all. An online, interactive workshop format was employed, with participants (n ~ 80) drawn from the UK drone industry and other attendant organisations. Verbal and written data were recorded, and then analysed using thematic analysis. The findings summarise the issues on a range of topics, grouped into three over-arching themes: (1) operational environment; (2) technical and regulatory environment; and (3) equity and wider society. Results suggested that important issues included the necessity for a dependable detect-and-avoid (DAA) system for in-flight de-confliction, based on onboard electronic conspicuity (EC) devices, and the need for support for shared airspace from the wider aviation community. This study contributes to the stakeholder engagement that will be essential if the co-development of a shared airspace solution is to be widely acceptable to all.