ADW's new Advisory Group focuses on Digital Infrastructure

Establishing foundational Digital Infrastructure for Air Mobility

ADW recently launched a new advisory group focused on 'Digital Infrastructure,' aiming to shape the future of the air mobility industry. Co-President of the Global UTM Association (GUTMA), Sebastian Babiarz, shared his insights on the motivation behind this group, its significance for the air mobility and drone industry's future, and the goals for the upcoming ADW from 8 - 10 April 2025.

"We are at a critical point where we need to establish the foundational digital infrastructure that will enable drone operations at scale," Babiarz explains. He emphasizes that the goal is not just to enable drone operations, but to make them commercially viable and scalable: "We are targeting a future where drones can operate in a highly automated manner, moving towards autonomy. This requires a solid digital framework that can support safe, efficient, and scalable operations."

Key Stakeholders in the Advisory Group

The advisory group includes key stakeholders from across the industry, such as Munish Khurana (Eurocontrol), Barbara Pareglio (GSMA), Amanda Boekholt (GUTMA), and Parimal Kopardekar (NASA). Babiarz clarifies that the group is still in the early stages, with discussions revolving around shaping the content for the upcoming ADW event in 2025. "The working group is more of an advisory initiative for now," he says. "We are a group of stakeholders who have taken the initiative to discuss the direction and content for the next ADW."

Leveraging Existing Infrastructure

One of the main topics of discussion within the group is how to leverage existing infrastructure for air mobility operations. Babiarz points out that reusing current technologies, such as mobile networks and cloud services, could significantly reduce costs and accelerate the adoption of drones at scale. "Drones are essentially IoT devices, and they should be integrated into our existing digital ecosystems, including mobile networks and cloud infrastructure. This will help us achieve the level of automation and scalability that makes business sense," he states.

The Role of Mobile Networks

Babiarz also discusses the challenges faced by the drone industry in trying to scale operations. He refers to the 'GUTMA Mobile Network Services for Drone Operators Report,' which outlines how mobile networks can be leveraged to support drone operations. "The report highlights the importance of using existing mobile network infrastructure to provide connectivity for drones, which can significantly reduce costs and improve scalability," Babiarz explains. "Mobile networks are already widespread and capable of supporting various data services. By utilizing this infrastructure, drone operators can achieve reliable communication without the need for entirely new systems. This approach not only cuts costs but also accelerates deployment, allowing us to focus on creating value-added services for the drone ecosystem. The report also details the requirements for connectivity, such as reliability and quality of service, which are essential for safe and efficient drone operations."

Challenges in Scaling Operations

"The aviation world is used to very strict safety standards, and while this ensures safety, it also makes it difficult to scale drone operations, which need to be more agile and cost-effective. The challenge is to find a balance between these two worlds—maintaining safety while adapting the existing digital infrastructure to suit drone operations. In addition to the strict regulatory environment, there is also the challenge of integrating drones into airspace traditionally reserved for manned aviation. This requires new approaches to air traffic management that are capable of handling the unique needs of drones. Furthermore, the cost of meeting these safety standards can be prohibitive, especially for smaller operators looking to enter the market. Addressing these challenges will require close collaboration between regulators, industry stakeholders, and technology providers to create solutions that are both safe and economically viable. Babiarz believes that fostering an open dialogue between all parties involved is crucial: "We need to ensure that all stakeholders, from regulators to technology developers, are aligned in their objectives so that we can create an environment where drone operations can thrive safely and at scale."

Ensuring Cyber Security

Cyber security is another critical aspect that Babiarz emphasizes. "Ensuring the security of the digital infrastructure is essential if we are to achieve reliable and safe drone operations," he says. The advisory group has been discussing the need for robust cyber security measures to protect both the data and the systems involved in drone operations. "The GUTMA cyber security task force has been working on guidelines to ensure that the drone ecosystem remains secure from potential threats. This includes protecting communication channels, ensuring data integrity, and implementing industry-wide best practices for cyber resilience." According to Babiarz, addressing these security concerns is key to gaining the trust of both regulators and the public, which will be crucial for the widespread adoption of drone services.

Goals for Digital Infrastructure at ADW 2025

Looking ahead to the next edition of ADW, the advisory group aims to showcase practical advancements in digital infrastructure that can support the air mobility economy. "We want to move away from just talking about future concepts and start focusing on what is already available today that can boost the drone economy," Babiarz says. "The role of this advisory group is to figure out how to make these existing solutions work for the drone ecosystem, ensuring that authorities feel comfortable and that businesses can see real value."

A Step Towards Integration

The advisory group’s work represents a significant step towards integrating air mobility and drones into the broader aviation ecosystem. By leveraging existing technologies and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, they hope to overcome the barriers to scaling operations and unlock the full potential of the air mobility industry.