Hydrogen Challenge, drone rules and AAIB safety review
7 June 2026
A busy first week of June, with the CAA leaning into both innovation and practical flying issues. The Hydrogen Challenge is a sign that the fuel debate is moving on, while the updated drone rules should help keep the rapidly growing unmanned sector on a safer footing. For those of us in general aviation, the useful details are in the day-to-day notices as well: Coventry Airport operating guidance, Stonehenge temporary restricted airspace, and the CAA’s visits to Scotland and Northern Ireland airfields. There is also news that a new CAA website is on the way, which should be worth keeping an eye on as the season gathers pace. The safety reading this week is the AAIB’s Annual Safety Review 2025, alongside its report into Boeing 767-316F G-DHLS. Summer flying is getting into full swing too, with Cosford, Draycot, Breighton and Shuttleworth all coming up soon.
UK Unmanned Aircraft Systems Traffic Management (UTM) Concept of Operations. The CAA’s Skywise alert, published on Friday 5 June 2026, says it has released a consultation on Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM). It sets out the CAA’s initial thoughts on the architecture and regulatory requirements needed to help integrate UAS safely, efficiently and at scale into UK airspace traffic management. For pilots and operators, the practical takeaway is that this is the first public signal of where the CAA is heading on UTM, and it matters to anyone who may be affected as an operator, a UTM service provider, or a data services provider. The CAA asks respondents to read all three documents before commenting and to send in their views.
Before any weekend flying, check Skywise, airspace restrictions and local airport notes first. A quick brief on temporary airspace around Stonehenge and any aerodrome-specific guidance can save a needless diversion.
Stonehenge is often one of the best-known UK sites to generate temporary airspace restrictions when major summer events are held nearby.
In the circuit
Regulator launches Hydrogen Challenge to explore potential of new aviation fuel type
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has launched a Hydrogen Challenge to help the aviation industry explore hydrogen as a zero-carbon fuel. The regulator says the sector is still at an early stage, with open questions around safety and certification, so it will use a Regulatory Sandbox approach to work with industry and academia, improve understanding of the risks, and shape fit-for-purpose rules. The challenge is supported by nearly £940,000 from the Regulators' Pioneer Fund, and the CAA says it will soon open applications for a separate sandbox to support hydrogen trials. The aim is to boost regulatory readiness, reduce risk, and support the wider push towards the Government’s Jet Zero Strategy.
Updated rules confirmed to support safe growth of drone sector
The CAA says it will recommend that the Secretary of State for Transport implements a package of updates to the UK’s drone regulations after extensive consultation. The aim is to simplify the rules, strengthen safety and security, and give the sector a clearer framework for sustainable growth. Among the proposed changes are clearer Open category sub-groups, new product standards through class-marking, mandatory Flyer ID training extended to users of drones over 100g, and Direct Remote ID requirements. The regulator says most users should be able to keep flying their existing drones in the same operational sub-categories, with no major change to the basic Dronecode rules on where and how to fly safely.
UK Civil Aviation Authority visits Scotland and Northern Ireland airfields
The Civil Aviation Authority says its Investigations and Enforcement Team carried out a series of airfield visits in Scotland and Northern Ireland, working with Border Force and the Police Service of Northern Ireland. The checks covered airports and airfields including Glasgow, Edinburgh, Prestwick, Strathaven, Cumbernauld, Perth, Fife, Kingsmuir, Newtownards, Slieve Croob, Mullaghglass and Tandragee, with ramp checks used to help confirm compliance with aviation rules and safety standards. The CAA says the visits were part of its wider commitment to aviation safety and compliance, and that they helped strengthen working relationships with on-site stakeholders and partner agencies. Anthony McKeown said the work supports the safety of pilots, passengers and the public, while helping maintain the reputation of the flying community.
A new CAA website is on the way
The CAA says a redesigned CAA.co.uk is due to launch on 9 June, with this blog presented as the first step in a wider programme to improve how it supports and engages users online. The authority says the new site will have a cleaner, more modern look and a simpler structure, aimed at making guidance, licensing services and key aviation updates easier to find. It is also being built around GOV.UK design principles, with the CAA promising a more consistent and accessible experience across devices. The blog says this is only the beginning, and that the site will continue to be refined and improved over time.
AAIB publishes Annual Safety Review 2025
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has published its Annual Safety Review 2025, giving an overview of occurrences notified to the AAIB in 2025 and the safety action taken, or planned, in response to investigations concluded that year. The review notes 783 occurrence notifications, 1 formal investigation, 23 field investigations, and 198 final reports published during the year, alongside 9 Safety Recommendations and 97 significant Safety Actions taken by industry. For UK general aviation readers, the headline is that the report is less about one dramatic event and more about the steady pattern of risk, investigation and learning across the year. It also includes articles on the hazards posed by high-voltage battery systems to investigation work and on the use of AI to support accident investigation.
AAIB Report: Boeing 767-316F, G-DHLS
The AAIB has published its report into a Boeing 767-316F, G-DHLS, following a roll-control jam in the Scottish Flight Information Region on 9 October 2025. The report says the aircraft was flying from Iceland to the UK when ice likely formed somewhere in the aileron control system, causing the jam at FL350. The crew were still able to control the aeroplane longitudinally and descended to FL200, then used a significant joint input on the controls to free the jam and regain normal roll control. The rest of the flight was completed without further incident. The AAIB note that this type has seen previous roll-control jams linked to ice formation, and that earlier required modifications and inspections had already been completed on G-DHLS before this event.
On the calendar
14 June 2026
RAF Cosford Air Show 2026
RAF Cosford Air Show 2026 took place on Sunday 14 June 2026 at RAF Cosford, with the theme “Engineering the Future.” The organiser’s gallery page describes it as a one-day, family-friendly aviation spectacle with headline flying displays including the Red Arrows, a mix of modern fast jets, historic warbirds and international participants, plus static exhibits, STEM zones, a vintage village and trade stalls. For UK GA pilots and enthusiasts, it’s a standout summer date for both the flying and the groundside aircraft-and-aviation atmosphere.
19 June 2026
Draycot Aerodrome Fly-in, Wiltshire
19–21 June 2026 at Draycot Farm Aerodrome, GB-0006, Draycot Foliat, Swindon, this Draycot Aerodrome fly-in is listed by FLYER as an event with no PPR required. It is aimed at visiting pilots and GA enthusiasts looking for a straightforward fly-in visit, with the airfield contact number provided for enquiries. For UK GA pilots, the appeal is a relaxed summer destination in Wiltshire with an easy arrival profile and a dedicated aerodrome setting.
20 June 2026
STOL Weekend, Breighton Airfield
20–21 June 2026 at Breighton Airfield, this Real Aeroplane Club weekend will run as a full STOL-themed fly-in and competition, organised with STOL UK and backed by CAA cooperation. It’s aimed at competitors arriving by air, with non-flying spectators welcome if they are Real Aeroplane Club members, and PPR is strictly required for arrivals. For UK GA pilots and enthusiasts, it promises a rare chance to see short-field flying done properly, with specialised aircraft and a tightly focused competition atmosphere.
27 June 2026
Shuttleworth Festival of Flight Air Show, Old Warden
27–28 June 2026 at Old Warden Airfield, Shuttleworth’s Festival of Flight Air Show returns as a two-day airshow with flying displays from UK and international visiting aircraft, plus the Collection’s serviceable aircraft. It’s pitched as a family day out with free ground attractions, Shuttleworth House and Swiss Garden access, and kids go free, while pilots and enthusiasts get a strong mix of heritage aircraft and action across both days.
2 July 2026
An Evening with Ian Seager, London Flying Club
On 2 July 2026, London Flying Club is hosting an evening talk at Downstairs at the Albany on Great Portland Street, with Ian Seager of FLYER magazine as guest speaker. The free event runs from 18:00 to 22:00, with the talk starting at 19:00, and it’s aimed at pilots and aviation enthusiasts in and around London. It should be a good one for UK GA followers keen to hear behind-the-scenes stories and a broad take on flying, aircraft and the changing GA scene.