In this paper the regulatory and standardization aspects regarding the light UAV segment are described reporting main steps and activities carried out during the FP7 European SkyMedia funded project.
With respect to the Unmanned Aircraft Vehicle regulation achievements, a detailed process conducted beside the Italian Flight Regulation Authority (ENAC) is reported emphasizing the key points that led to receive multiple Permit to Fly for Nimbus novel hybrid UAV platform, the first case in Italy in the category of “light UAV”.
With specific reference to the UAV segment, after showing the complex procedure defined with such Authority to receive authorization to fly for project final demo, some light on the future perspectives for light UAV regulation will be provided underlining efforts and contributions to define a clear track on the UAV development in civil applications.
In this context, further experimental procedures can be implemented in the next future to extend such procedures to other motivated cases likes, for example, national security or similar civil protection operations. Since nowadays a special regulation is missing in this field, this activity can provide a reference and some useful information on the key elements that will be evaluated by national flight authority in the process of issuing the permit to fly to light UAS in other countries.