Light UAS Manufacturers - Manufacturers & Distributors Accreditation Programme
EuroUSC™ is the UK CAA Approved Organisation (DAI/9932/09) for assessing the ‘Airworthiness’ of Light Unmanned Aircraft Systems of 150Kg and below. The Light UAS Scheme™ (LUASS™) covers the Design, Construction (including functionality of embedded FCS software), Airworthiness, Operation, Pilot/Crew Qualifications and Exemption or Permission to Operate. In 2004 EuroUSC™ obtained the first approval in the UK for a light UAS to operate from a Civil Airport.
Design and Construction Assessment
A thorough assessment is carried out of each light UAS and a unique Design and Construction Number (DCN) is assigned which signifies that the light UAS meets certain standards of operation and maintainability commensurate with undertaking Aerial Work. Manufacturers can show adequate quality control over production
Accredited Manufacturer Training Courses
The Basic National UAS Certificate (BNUC-S™) - EuroUSC™ offers the only nationally approved CAA UAS specific Pilot/Crew Qualification for small UAS. The BNUC-S™ qualification for systems <20Kg consists of two parts: PART 1 - Ground School Examination (Course by EuroUSC™ or Accredited Organisation) and PART 2 - Flight Test Examination (Training by Accredited Flight Schools or Accredited Manufacturer's Course).
An approved syllabus for adoption by Manufacturers has been developed under the Light UAS Scheme™. Manufacturers of light UA below 20Kg can take advantage of this to develop their own accredited courses. This enables Operators to gain a CAA recognized qualification at the Manufacturers own flight test site. The resultant Basic National UAS Certificate (BNUC™) is accepted by the CAA for Aerial Work. For light UAS with aircraft of <20kg a BNUC-STM is awarded.
Support to Operators
With so many light UAS on the market, it is important that Manufacturers selling into the market do so with the intended Operators and type of operation in mind. EuroUSC™ continually updates Manufacturers on industry best practice highlighting Maintenance, Support and Training issues so important to today’s light UAS Operators.
Insurance
In order to acquire the necessary insurances to operate light UAS, Operators may be asked to provide the Design and Construction Number (DCN) for each aircraft that they operate and a Basic National UAS Certificate (BNUC™) for each pilot or crew member. Future Operators will in preference purchase their systems Manufacturers registered with the Light UAS Scheme™ safe in the knowledge that they can legally operate their light UAS.