The UK’s Department for Transport (DfT) has launched a rebate scheme to encourage the adoption of Electronic Conspicuity (EC) within the UK’s General Aviation (GA) and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) communities.
Electronic conspicuity is an umbrella term for the technology that can help pilots, unmanned aircraft users and air traffic services be more aware of what is operating in surrounding airspace. These devices, such as FLARM and ADS-B, have become more and more important in recent years as a means of supporting the ‘see and avoid’ principle, which forms the foundation of the Visual Flight Rules (VFR) in the UK, with the added ability to ‘detect and be detected’.
The scheme will allow eligible applicants to receive a rebate of 50% off the purchase price of a single new EC device, up to a maximum amount of £250. The CAA says on their website that they expect to be able to fulfil around 10,000 applications.
With the scheme open to one application per pilot, this provides flying groups wishing to update their avionics fit with the opportunity for a discount on several new devices for a single aircraft.
The scheme will be open from 5 Oct 2020 to 31 March 2021 but the equipment being claimed for must have been purchased between 1 Oct 2020 and 28 Feb 2021. Applicants must hold a private or commercial pilot license, with balloon and sailplane licenses being included in the scheme. Members of the British Hang gliding and Paragliding Association and UAS operators with specific CAA operating permissions may also apply.
Full details of the scheme are available here, on the CAA website.