Regulations and Government
Mandatory Electronic Conspicuity Inbound for UK GA/bizav
Regulator to publish an updated concept of operations within a year
Over-shoulder view of two pilots in cockpit
New regulations would mandate that faster aircraft operating in UK airspace use an ADS-B transponder with Mode S functionality. © NBAA

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has strongly implied that ADS-B Out electronic conspicuity (EC) will soon become mandatory for all aircraft operating in the UK’s lower airspace. An updated concept of operations will be published in late 2026 or early 2027 following an ongoing review.

In a new document (CAP 3217) published March 2, the regulator outlined that increased integration of beyond-visual-line-of-sight drones will require all airspace users to adopt enhanced safety measures. Notably, “manned aircraft operating at higher speeds require higher-performance EC devices, primarily capable of providing extended detection range to support timely avoidance maneuvers,” it explained. “Expecting unmanned aircraft to detect manned aircraft without an EC solution is not currently possible.”