The subject of drones is very topical and the focus of debate on a global, in Europe and in Italy as well. From the regulatory point of view, what are drones, also known as "remote controlled aircraft"?

Remote controlled aircraft, commonly known as drones, are classified as aircraft. According to Art. 743 of the Navigation Code, in Italy ENAC regulations determine which remote-controlled aircraft for civilian use are subject to national administrative regulation.

What has Italy already done for the regulation of this area and what steps can we expect for the future?

With the regulations on "Remote-controlled aircraft" of 16 December 2013, ENAC applied the provision of the Navigation Code and issued the requirements of the use of these devices. The regulations came into force on 30 April 2014, fulfilling the need to regulate a fast-growing sector, with innumerable possible applications, and with many initiatives for construction and use already under way in Italy.

What are the areas that should be regulated to ensure that drones can operate safely in air space (Safety, Security, Privacy, Airworthiness etc.)?

The use of drones for civilian applications must not cause any harm to safety conditions in air space, the ground and the persons and property which they fly over. It must be ensured that there is no illegal interference with persons and property. Finally, the privacy of anyone within the range of action of the drone must be respected. This is why, while considering the specific nature of the sector, these drones, their control systems and the operators and pilots who operate them must respect the requirements ensuring their ability to operate according to the principles mentioned here.
The ENAC regulations specify these requirements on a proportional basis with respect to the characteristics of the craft, the critical nature of the planned use and the risk factors involved in the area and the type of deployment.

What is the current relationship between the regulatory authority and the service providers? How do you think their roles will develop with respect to the technological innovations and institutional changes under way (SESAR, Single European Sky 2 , BLUE MED, etc.)?
There are growing challenges in the civilian use of drones. In the short to medium term, there are plans to allow drones to be operated in unsegregated air space and in BLOS conditions. This will require a considerable change from the regulatory, operational and cultural point of view on the part of the regulatory authority and air navigation service providers.
Extending our scope in the flight scenario, the initiatives under way, technological developments and expectations for the rationalization of air space management require the regulatory authority and service providers to increasingly work together.
For example, in its territorial jurisdiction, BLUE MED is an initiative proving to be a testing ground for the synergy between the authority and the ANSPs. While respecting the different role, they must increasingly integrate their resources and skills in order to achieve organizational and operational efficiency, as well as the performance rates that all air space and aircraft users expect from the forecast increase in air traffic.