The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) marked International Civil Aviation Day with the release of its Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Toolkit, which it says is designed to help UAS pilots of all levels of skill and experience.
The toolkit, made available Dec. 13, is “much more than a starting point” for learning the basics of safely operating UAS, also known as “drones” or “remotely piloted aircraft systems,” ICAO said, noting that UAS have often been operated illegally around airports and in other sensitive airspace by pilots who are unaware of operating rules.
“The resources this new toolkit makes available are designed to help UAS operators of all ages operate their aircraft safety and responsibly,” said Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, president of the ICAO Council. “The importance of recognizing that these devices are aircraft and of integrating their use safely with existing manned operations, should not be underestimated.”
ICAO Secretary General Fang Liu said the toolkit offers “helpful information and resources [and] can serve as a platform for the exchange of global best practices, lessons learned and effective governance approaches.”
ICAO said the toolkit was developed through the ICAO UAS Advisory Group, in cooperation with industry and international experts.
