This month's Altitude shines a light on aviation’s most pressing challenge - reducing its environmental impact.

The panel has a fascinating discussion looking at the role of air traffic management, including whether sustainability can truly be compatible with growing demand, and why Air Navigation Service Providers cannot afford to wait until 2050 to take action.

Join our host Rachel Gardner-Poole alongside Michelle Bishop, CANSO’s Director of Programmes, Roni Friel, Head of Network Operations Delivery for NATS and Magdalena Wos, ATM Environmental Expert at skyes for a thought-provoking and inspiring debate.

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

In this month's Altitude, we walked the floor at DroneX Tradeshow & Conference to get the very latest news and views on the UK uncrewed aviation industry straight from the experts.

✈ Craig Roberts of PwC talks about their latest report - 'UK drone regulations and net risk', balancing risk to unlock growth and save lives.

✈ Alan Hicks gives an update from Manna Air Delivery, with news of big partnerships with Deliveroo and DoorDash

✈ Sofia Stayte from the Department for Transport talks about the UK’s ambition for routine drone flight, the role of policy and regulation and what progress is being made

✈ Andy Sage updated us on OpenAir, NATS’ vision of a digital foundation for the drone industry, with talk of trials and exciting plans for 2026

✈ Dr Mehmet Ali Erbil, describes the University of Southampton's ambitious plans for the future of healthcare in the Solent, delivering vital medicines to the Isle of Wight

✈ Louisa Smith of Apian and Tom Rehwinkel of Matternet tell us what's next for the hugely successful London Health Bridge project, and what we'll be learning from Switzerland

Find out more about our work on the Future of flight: https://www.nats.aero/airspace/drones/

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero

The National Police Air Service (NPAS) has launched one of the UK’s most ambitious trials of uncrewed aircraft in support of frontline policing.

In this episode of Altitude, we speak to the team as they prepare for a bold new era - testing high-endurance, uncrewed aircraft capable of flying beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) in real operational scenarios.

From the control rooms at NATS to the runways of NPAS’ South West base, this episode explores how a blended fleet of helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft and uncrewed systems could transform police air support. We’ll hear how traditional flying and policing expertise is being paired with advanced mission tech aboard next-gen drones to help one day save lives and stop crime.

We also hear from the UK Civil Aviation Authority on how the NPAS trial fits into a wider strategy to enable BVLOS drone operations in the UK, why sandbox projects like this one are enabling safe innovation in our skies, and what it will take to make drone policing a reality.

You can also watch an on demand version of the livestream on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@NatsAero