Consultation on a Proposed Electronic Conspicuity Mandate in the UK

Overview

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is consulting on its proposed approach to an Electronic Conspicuity Mandate for certain aircraft operating below Flight Level 100 in UK sovereign airspace, and how any future requirement should be designed and implemented.

We have developed this proposed approach following earlier engagement with stakeholders, commissioned research and technical work on EC.

This work is being carried out by the CAA in collaboration with the Department for Transport as part of wider activity supporting the Airspace Modernisation Strategy and future lower airspace integration.

Consultation on a Proposed Electronic Conspicuity Mandate in the UK

What we want to know

We are seeking views and evidence on the CAA’s proposed approach to an EC mandate, including:

• the proposed scope of the mandate, including which aircraft and operations should be included or excluded
• the proposed altitude threshold (below FL100)
• how any requirement could be implemented in a practical way
• the potential safety benefits and operational impacts
• the costs and feasibility of equipping aircraft
• how the proposal would affect different sectors and types of operation
• whether alternative approaches could achieve the same safety outcomes
• transition periods and alternative means of compliance

We are particularly interested in evidence and practical experience.

How to respond

This survey should take approximately 20 to 30 minutes to complete, depending on how many sections are relevant to you and how much detail you wish to provide.

You do not need to answer every question. Please answer those that are relevant to your experience and sector. Where a question does not apply to you, you can leave it blank or select "not applicable."

You can save your progress and return to complete your response at any time before the closing date. Use the "Save and continue later" option at the bottom of any page.

The consultation closes at midnight on 22 September 2026. Responses submitted after this date cannot be accepted.

Who can respond?

This consultation is open to anyone with an interest in lower airspace. This includes (but is not limited to):

• individual pilots and operators of all aircraft types
• UAS operators and individual UAS pilots
• eVTOL developers and operators
• aviation clubs, groups and associations
• aircraft and equipment manufacturers
• aerodromes and airfields
• air navigation service providers
• members of the public with an interest in airspace safety

If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, please indicate this at the start of the survey.

You do not need to be an aviation professional to respond.

What happens next

All responses will be read and considered by the CAA team. We will publish a consultation response document summarising the responses received and setting out the CAA's conclusions. This will be published on the CAA website following the close of the consultation.

Getting help

If you have a query about this consultation or need assistance completing your response, please contact the CAA team at ec@caa.co.uk 

If you require this consultation in an alternative format, please contact us using the details above.