CAA On Air

Trialling medical deliveries by drone during COVID-19 - Part 1 of 3

CAA On Air

Show Notes

In this episode we begin a three part series that looks at how drones have been used to help the NHS response to COVID-19.

We're joined by Simon Masters and Dawn MacGregor from UKRI (UK Research and Innovation), the UK's largest public funder of research and innovation.

UKRI's work includes the 'Future flight challenge' which aims to bring together technologies in electrification, aviation systems and autonomy to create new modes of air travel and capability.

Some of the projects funded by the 'Future flight challenge' so far have included using drones to support the NHS and emergency services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

You'll hear about how these projects were selected, the benefits they can deliver and how the CAA's Innovation team helped support this work.

You can find our more about UKRI and the 'Future flight challenge' below https://www.ukri.org/our-work/our-main-funds/industrial-strategy-challenge-fund/future-of-mobility/future-flight-challenge/

UKRI Future flight vision roadmap https://www.ukri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/UKRI-130821-FutureFlightVisionRoadmap.pdf

For information about projects focussing on the demonstration aspects of novel classes of electric or autonomous air vehicles and systems see:

Future flight challenge phase three: strand one https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/future-flight-challenge-phase-three-strand-one/

For information about projects focussing on developing enabling technologies and cross-cutting systems that support the deployment of these novel air vehicles in UK airspace see:

Future flight challenge phase three: strand two https://apply-for-innovation-funding.service.gov.uk/competition/980/overview

More from CAA On Air

Nov 13, 2025

Advanced Air Mobility will see people and goods move between urban and regional areas using innovative aircraft like electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) vehicles. eVTOL offers the potential for new, faster and cleaner ways for people and goods to travel. In this episode we’re joined by the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s Technical Strategy Portfolio Manager, Darryl Abelscroft who discusses the Civil Aviation Authority’s role in enabling the safe introduction of Advanced Air Mobility. Alongside Darryl, David King, Vertical Aerospace’s Chief Engineer joins us to discuss their role and work as an eVTOL manufacturer in the UK. Further information related to this episode: The Civil Aviation Authority’s eVTOL Delivery Model Vertical Aerospace

Nov 28, 2024

Automation and autonomy already play a key role in many aspects of aerospace, including autopilot and air traffic management, but the future is enabled by artificial intelligence (AI), and has the potential to impact every part of the aerospace sector. In this episode, we’re joined by James Bell, Innovation Strategy Lead, who has led the work for the UK CAA’s Strategy for Artificial Intelligence. We hear from Florian Ostmann, Director of AI Governance and Regulatory Innovation with the Turing Institute about how AI has evolved in recent years and what the future holds. We also speak to Vicki Murdie from the Future Flight Team at Innovate UK to learn about potential new uses of AI across the aviation landscape. Further information related to this episode The CAA's Strategy for Artificial Intelligence The Alan Turing Institute

Jul 20, 2022

In this episode we talk with Brenden Hedblom from the Eve Consortium on its new concept of operations (CONOPS) into how future types of flying, such as electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, could be safety incorporated into London’s airspace. You can find more information on this work at: UK Concept of Operations (CONOPS) Key Considerations for Airspace Integration within an Urban Air Mobility Landscape (CAP 2272) Additional work from Eve: Urban air traffic management concept of operations Flight Plan 2030 - An air traffic management concept for urban air mobility Other podcasts from the UK Civil Aviation Authority: CAA Drone safety CAA on General Aviation CAA Safety files

Nov 2, 2021

In the third and final part of this series we look at how medical deliveries by drone could help support the health service in remote communities across the UK.

Oct 12, 2021

In part two of our three part series we hear about a recent trial that explored using drones for medical deliveries, including essential PPE items, from Cornwall to remote communities on the Isles of Scilly.

See all episodes →