Consultation on Electronic Conspicuity – Initial Technical Concept of Operations

Overview

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is seeking views on its draft Initial Technical Concept of Operations (ConOps) for Electronic Conspicuity (EC).

EC enables aircraft to “detect and be detected” electronically, helping to reduce the risk of mid-air collisions and improve situational awareness. This ConOps sets out our proposed technical requirements, equipage standards, and operational use of EC to support the safe integration of new and existing airspace users, including uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS), in the UK’s airspace.
This consultation invites feedback on each of the nine proposed policy positions described in the ConOps. We are seeking input from a wide range of stakeholders, including:

• General Aviation (GA) pilots and organisations
• Unmanned Aircraft operators
• Air Navigation Service Provider (ANSP)
• Aerodrome operators
• Manufacturers and developers of EC technology
• Government departments, regulators, and policy stakeholders
• Any individual or organisation with an interest in UK airspace

We also include a short Call for Evidence to support our early thinking on a potential future EC mandate, which is being explored separately by the CAA and Department for Transport (DfT).

How to Respond

Please download and read the full EC ConOps document before responding to this consultation. The document explains the reasoning behind each position and provides background on the regulatory, operational, and technical context.

Download the draft EC ConOps.

The consultation includes a mixture of multiple-choice and free-text questions. You do not need to respond to every question. please feel free to focus on the areas most relevant to your expertise or interests.

The consultation will remain open until 23:59 on 06 October 2025.

If you have any questions about this consultation or would like to engage with the team directly, you can contact us at ec@caa.co.uk