Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) are increasingly becoming part of the aviation ecosystem, yet their practical integration into aerodrome operations remains a challenge. The new “UAS – Emergency Management at Aerodromes: Systems & Operations” course by JAA Training Organisation (JAA TO) addresses this gap, helping aviation professionals understand how UAS/Drones can support emergency response while remaining fully compliant with regulations. Building on unique insights from the European research initiative “Project ALBATROS”, this course translates cutting-edge research into operational knowledge for aerodrome stakeholders.
A course shaped by research and operational needs
Drones at aerodromes are still often associated with safety risks or airspace infringements. While these concerns are valid when drones operate unlawfully, controlled and properly integrated UAS operations can offer significant operational benefits.
The “UAS - Emergency Management at Aerodromes: Systems & Operations” course is designed to help aerodrome operators, regulators, and service providers understand how drones can be deployed safely to support emergency management and first response
Drawing on the latest findings from “Project ALBATROS”, funded by Horizon Europe and coordinated by the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre, the course explores how UAS can provide rapid situational awareness during incidents at aerodromes. This becomes particularly relevant as aviation evolves towards new propulsion technologies such as hydrogen, where emergency response may require even faster assessment and decision-making.
The training programme also provides a practical understanding of the regulatory landscape, including the framework established by Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/947. Participants learn how to define, procure, and implement drone systems, establish operational procedures, train personnel, and coordinate multiple stakeholders involved in aerodrome emergency management.
The course addresses the roles of Civil Aviation Authorities, Aerodrome Operators, Air Navigation Service Providers, Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, UAS manufacturers and drone operators, emphasising the importance of coordinated, inter-organisational safety management.
To explore the practical challenges and opportunities of drone deployment at aerodromes, we spoke with JAA TO course instructor Filippo Tomasello.
JAA TO : What challenges do aerodromes face when integrating drones into their emergency response framework?
Filippo Tomasello : A widespread belief is that drones at aerodromes represent an additional hazard or even a security threat. This is indeed true when drones unlawfully infringe airspace limits.
However, there are several use cases in which drones can bring clear operational benefits. They can support runway inspections, inspections of aircraft structures such as the upper fuselage of parked aircraft, and they can also help respond to emergencies at aerodromes more quickly and precisely- for example in the case of a runway excursion.
The biggest challenge is therefore convincing Aerodrome Operators, Air Traffic Control and Authorities that, when properly managed, drones at aerodromes are not a threat but an opportunity.
JAA TO : How should UAS operations be integrated into an Aerodrome Emergency Response Plan?
Filippo Tomasello : The first step is deciding which organisation will act as the UAS operator. This organisation would be responsible for procuring and implementing the drones as well as training the remote crew.
Rescue and Fire Fighting Services (RFFS) could be an ideal candidate for this role, although other operational models are also possible. Secondly, the Emergency Response Plan should clearly define the role of each actor involved, including drone personnel and the information flows between stakeholders.
Finally, training should not be limited to drone operators alone. All relevant personnel should understand what information drones can provide and how to access and use that information during an emergency.
JAA TO: What are the benefits for European aerodromes of successfully implementing BVLOS operations?
FT : The operational range of drones in Visual Line-of-Sight (VLOS) depends on the drone’s size and visibility conditions, but typically it is around 200–300 metres, far shorter than the length of a runway. In emergency situations, transporting the drone and the remote pilot to the end of the runway could take several minutes. These minutes are extremely valuable during an incident.
Operating Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) allows a drone to reach the site of the emergency within seconds, potentially arriving before Rescue and Fire Fighting Services and providing them with real-time information about where to focus their initial attention. Saving even a few tens of seconds can make a difference today. In the future, it may become even more critical, especially when dealing with potentially dangerous substances such as hydrogen or lithium batteries.
JAA TO : What challenges arise in the ‘specific category’ authorisation process?
FT : Applying the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) does require specialised expertise. However, this assessment is performed once when organising operations- it does not need to be repeated for each flight. For that reason, it is not necessary to train all remote pilots in SORA. Instead, it is sufficient to train one or two Fleet Managers, a role similar to flight dispatchers but adapted to drone operations. Another challenge relates to the regulatory environment.
Drone operations at or around aerodromes are not fully harmonised under EU rules and remain subject to national decisions. Some countries, such as France, Ireland, and Italy, allow drone operations at aerodromes under certain conditions. Others maintain stricter restrictions.
What is essential in all cases is strong inter-organisational safety management, meaning that SORA assessments, operational procedures, and manuals should be discussed and coordinated among all stakeholders involved.
JAA TO : What are the barriers to implementing “drones in the box” solutions at aerodromes?
FT : To be economically sustainable and operationally efficient, “drones in the box” solutions should be highly automated or even fully autonomous. In practice, this means that a Fleet Manager could trigger a drone launch with just one or two commands, allowing the drone to take off immediately and begin transmitting data without requiring a remote pilot on site. Such solutions are not prohibited under EU regulations, provided that the SORA assessment demonstrates an acceptable level of safety.
The main barrier is not technology but familiarity with standards. The role of the Fleet Manager and the associated competency requirements have already been standardised in industry standards such as ISO 21384-3 and ISO 23665, yet many authorities and aerodrome operators are still not fully familiar with them.
JAA TO : How realistic are U-space and automation for aerodrome emergency operations in the near future?
FT : Highly automated systems, such as drones in the box, are already available on the market today and will continue to improve. U-space, a designated airspace with mandatory drone traffic management services, will also play an important role in the future. However, drone operations at aerodromes may also occur outside U-space environments. For example, if an accident occurs on a runway, Air Traffic Services would normally divert aircraft traffic elsewhere, effectively eliminating the risk of mid-air collisions.
Within U-space environments, coordination would be required with services such as the Flight Authorisation Service (FAS) to ensure that other drones not involved in the emergency response do not enter the operational area.
The integration of drones into aerodrome emergency response represents a significant step towards more efficient and data-driven incident management. Through the “UAS - Emergency Management at Aerodromes: Systems & Operations” course, JAA TO provides aviation professionals with the knowledge required to understand both the opportunities and the regulatory realities of UAS deployment at aerodromes. As aviation technology continues to evolve, and as new aircraft concepts introduce additional safety considerations, drones may soon become an essential tool in helping aerodrome teams respond faster, coordinate better, and ultimately enhance safety across the aviation system.
About JAA TO ✈️
The JAA Training Organisation (JAA TO) is a Dutch non-profit, self-financing organisation and the Associated Body of the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC). JAA TO has a history of 50+ years training the aviation industry and national authorities on regulation in the air transport sector. JAA TO is the only Platinum Training Centre of Excellence (TCE) in Europe recognised by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). JAA TO is an IATA Dangerous Goods CBTA Centre of Excellence, an ACI World Accredited Training Partner, recognized Dutch National Aviation Security Training Centre and a leading member of the EASA Virtual Academy (EVA).
JAA TO schedules more than 300 training courses annually on topics such as safety, security, drones and management. Within the aviation community, JAA TO offers a platform to learn and exchange views on latest regulatory developments. In addition, JAA TO provides advisory services, knowledge solutions, training consultancy and assistance with capacity building for (aviation) training departments.
JAA TO press contact: Karl Schreiber
Marketing & Communications Manager
Email: kschreiber@jaato.com
Tel: +31 (0) 23 56 79 721
