The International Civil Aviation Organization Council has adopted new and amended standards and recommended practices (Sarp) driving important progress on the international safety and interoperability of remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS).
The new provisions will become effective on July 12, and applicable as of November 26, 2026.
The most important provisions cover certification requirements for remotely piloted aeroplanes and helicopters, in addition to the remote pilot stations (RPS) from which they are operated.
“These provisions will now importantly serve as the foundational international Sarps for issuing Type Certificates and Certificates of Airworthiness for remotely piloted aircraft and all of their required components,” said Icao Council president Salvatore Sciacchitano.
“This provides a baseline of requirements which countries can employ in the near term to certify RPAS for international cargo operations or aerial work. Future work will address passenger-carrying RPA, as well as more advanced capabilities being anticipated for future urban air mobility.”