An Atypical Air Environment (AAE) is a volume of airspace that the CAA agrees is very rarely, or never, used by other aviation users. It is not a separate class of airspace; instead, it can exist within any airspace class.
Operators wishing to carry out Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations in the Specific Category may choose to propose an AAE to the CAA during their application.
Operations that may be classified as being within an AAE may be:
- within 30m (100ft) of any building or structure
- within 15m (50ft) of a permanent, above ground level, linear structure, such as a railway, road, or power line
- at a height of up to 15m (50ft) within the boundary of a private property, such as an industrial site
Examples of potential unmanned aircraft operations in Atypical Air Environments
Examples of unmanned aircraft operations that may wish to use an AAE include:
- power line surveys
- wind turbine surveys
- property security inspections
How to apply to operate in an Atypical Air Environment (AAE)
In order to operate BVLOS within an AAE you must successfully apply for an Operational Authorisation from the CAA.
When you apply, you must provide details of your claim that your operations will be in an AAE.
What you must do every time you operate in an Atypical Air Environment (AAE)
An authorisation to operate BVLOS in an AAE will include meeting a number of conditions. Most of these conditions will be required for every AAE operation, but an Operator may propose alternatives.
Examples of conditions include:
- submitting a NOTAM of your intended flight
- co-ordinating with other airspace users who are local to your operations, for example: local helicopter emergency medical services; national police air services; model flying and gliding clubs; unlicensed airfields
- using an ADS-B transmitter and receiver or transceiver on 978 MHz/UAT
- when operating in controlled airspace, notifying the relevant Air Traffic Control (ATC) service provider before starting your operations, and comply with any conditions specified by the ATC unit
- using high intensity anti-collision lighting
- using a technically robust containment solution to mitigate any breach of the operational volume
Remote Pilots must:
- check NOTAMs before every flight
- ensure that any form of electronic conspicuity available on your aircraft is switched on and enabled
Always be aware that there may be other activity within Atypical Air Environments (AAEs)
You must always consider that:
- military services, emergency services, and infrastructure owners are all able to operate aircraft in areas that could be considered as an AAE and can land without permission
- the general aviation community are able to operate from any suitable area of land, including unlicensed aerodromes, without having to notify their activity or be electronically conspicuous
You must meet all other applicable rules and requirements
If you operate within an AAE, you must still meet all other applicable rules and requirements applying to unmanned aircraft operations within that airspace.
Policy concept
This page gives a brief introduction to AAEs. Full details are in our policy concept for Unmanned Aircraft Operations in an Atypical Air Environment, CAP 3040 (opens in a new tab).