The European Commission has recently taken the lead regarding a
project for the integration of Remotely Piloted Aircraft System
(RPAS), the new name used by ICAO for UAV (Unmanned Air Vehicle),
into common airspace by 2016. In July 2012, the European Commission
formed the European RPAS Steering Group (ERSG), which has recently
designed the roadmap to reach the target of such integration. The
Commission's project mainly concerns RPA's over 150 kg; in
keeping with Regulation 216/2008/EC, the European Air Safety Agency
(EASA) is responsible for certification and licensing of these
aircraft, while the National Aviation Authorities (NAA) of Member
States are responsible for the regulation of RPA's below 150
kg. Some EU MS's have already issued norms (like the UK with
CAP 722) to provide a regulatory framework for experimental or
commercial activities by public or private entities.
