Today there’s a lot of buzz around an US drone company Wing (Google) delivering blood in London by using Apian’s API that talks to the NHS to book logistics, apart from saying API’s are normally FREE. My comment is it’s taken a ridiculous amount of time, effort & tax payers money (£2million tax funded grants) to make this all happen.
It’s with that in mind that I’m sharing official Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) data from the past 10 years, which shows zero deaths caused by or involving UAS (drones) in the UK—a stark contrast to the record of manned aviation.
Unfortunately, I cannot provide the number of (non bvlos) UAS routinely operating safely each year with full permission in London’s busy controlled airspace zones, as the DfT, CAA, and Home Office ‘do not hold this data’ . The Met Police also confirm it isn’t recorded in a central spreadsheet.
NATs the airspace controller (DFT has a 49% stake) a private company, won’t release the figures either.
Gatekeepers hinder progress by clinging to outdated narratives of control (drones are unsafe etc), forgetting that capitalism thrives on innovation & growth.
Embracing new technologies with optimism is vital to success.
Let’s reframe British bureaucracy to champion opportunity, adaptability, and bold steps toward the future.
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