In response to this pressing challenge, Novaspace coordinated DroneRules, an initiative aimed at facilitating legal compliance and safeguarding the interests of drone operators throughout Europe. This collaborative effort effectively addressed the complexities associated with the burgeoning use of drones, which had posed a significant challenge for European policymakers, industry stakeholders, and operators alike.
Established in 2015 through a strategic partnership with the European Union, DroneRules swiftly emerged as the de facto reference point for regulations and considerations pertaining to Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) within the European context. The cornerstone achievement of the DroneRules initiative was the development of a comprehensive online platform, the DroneRules portal. This user-friendly interface served as an important resource, offering comprehensive insights into the regulatory framework governing light RPAS operations in Europe from multiple perspectives, including safety protocols, privacy, and data protection measures, as well as insurance and liability guidelines.
With support for 24 languages and comprehensive coverage spanning 30 countries, the DroneRules portal seamlessly facilitated access to essential information for drone pilots and the broader RPAS community, enabling them to navigate the intricacies of regulations both domestically and internationally.
Furthermore, DroneRules went beyond providing information, offering a spectrum of educational materials such as instructional videos, documents, and the drone code of conduct. These resources were meticulously designed to enhance operator awareness, fostering a culture of safe, responsible, and legally compliant drone operation. Notably, the initiative also spearheaded a specialised data privacy course, delivering guidelines and directives applicable across all European jurisdictions, thereby bolstering data protection practices in the industry.
A significant milestone was reached in 2018 when DroneRules successfully launched an interactive e-learning course. This endeavour played a pivotal role in instilling a robust culture of privacy compliance within the commercial drone sector across Europe, aligning with the provisions outlined in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) enforced in May 2018. Consequently, the introduction of the EU Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945 in 2021 marked a critical milestone, effectively streamlining regulatory disparities between Member States. Notably, this harmonisation underscored the resounding success of DroneRules in championing the welfare of the RPAS community and fostering the growth of the drone market within the European landscape.
