Daily update, 16 October: four SAIL Mark certificates, and Lydd's plan for a future flight centre

Four SAIL Mark certificates on the CAA's register

Earlier today our story covered the Civil Aviation Authority's page of published SAIL Mark certificates, which lists four. All four were issued on 29 September 2026, with Marshalls of Cambridge named as the Recognised Assessment Entity for Flightworthiness, RAE(F), on each. Manna Drones Ltd holds one for its Gen 3.8X at SAIL III, and Autospray holds one for its P150 Max at SAIL II. The other two are for components: Flarebright Ltd's Extera V2.1 flight termination system and the PRS-M4DT parachute recovery system from Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions (AVSS).

The CAA says the list "enables operators, UAS manufacturers, assessment bodies and other stakeholders to identify aircraft systems that have demonstrated compliance with the requirements applicable to the relevant SAIL level." It also says: "Inclusion in this list does not replace any operational authorisation requirements". The full piece is on our news page.

Lydd Airport sets out a Centre for Future Flight Innovation

Unmanned Airspace reports that "Lydd Airport in the UK has unveiled plans for UK Centre for Future Flight Innovation – a dedicated base for testing the next generation of aviation technology." It says the plans "were showcased at the airport on Thursday 15 October, with live technology demonstrations and representatives from aviation, industry and government."

The report adds: "Central to the proposals is securing a commercial Special Use Airspace (SUA) designation at Lydd, providing greater flexibility to test and operate new technologies and helping to address some of the regulatory barriers to bringing them into use."

Unmanned Airspace quotes Sam O'Dwyer, Chief Executive of Lydd Airport: "Our ambition is for Lydd to become the UK’s Centre for Future Flight Innovation. In partnership with Eagle Eye Innovations, we have developed a roadmap to foster innovation in drones and other new technologies through safe, secure and innovative operations."

The airport's own CFFI page lists areas it will support, including "Testing beyond visual line of sight operations." On jobs, it says: "Research by the Good Growth Foundation suggests that enabling future flight activity at Lydd Airport could support more than 1,000 [535 of which are estimated to be local] jobs and generate around £75 million in economic value annually".

On local concerns, the page says: "CFFI does not mean unrestricted drone operations over local communities." It adds: "Testing activities will not be conducted over populated areas, although some transit flights may occasionally pass overhead where permitted and necessary".

We covered the Good Growth Foundation's report proposing an airspace pilot at Lydd on 8 September.