Trade associations to act in close coordination in future

At the end of April, a meeting was held on the initiative of UAV DACH, which was attended by representatives from six European trade associations (we reported). One of the main aims of the meeting at the Messe Düsseldorf facilities was to create structures for regular exchange and closer professional coordination. Guidelines for cooperation were developed and a binding procedure for the best possible representation of the drone economy at European level was established.

Even if the associations and their representatives are of course primarily committed to the interests of their own members, it is nevertheless advisable to proceed in close coordination as often as possible due to the large number of common tasks and considerable overlaps in terms of content. The six trade associations therefore agreed to act in partnership and on an equal footing in the interests of the UAS/AAM industry and to represent joint and coordinated positions towards bodies and committees such as the European Commission and the European Aviation Safety Agency. For example, the associations unanimously agreed to share the seat on the EASA's Stakeholders Advisory Body (SAB) intended for the UAS/AAM industry. In specific terms, this means that a joint industry position will be defined by majority vote before voting in the SAB, which must then be taken into account in the decision-making process.

“The coming months and years will be decisive for how Europe can compete with other regions of the world when it comes to unmanned aerial systems,” says Dr. Gerald Wissel, CEO of UAV DACH. “Acting with the combined power of the associations on key issues in the future and representing the interests of the UAS/AAM industry will bring momentum and clarity to often lengthy processes and strengthen the position of the European UAS/AAM industry towards European decision-makers.”