The legal challenges of controlling large numbers of pilotless aircraft - some carrying people - in Britain's crowded skies are the subject of the latest call for proposals by the Law Commission. In its second consultation paper on 'aviation autonomy', the commission states that existing air traffic control rules are unlikely to be able to cope with large numbers of 'uncrewed aircraft'.

The paper seeks views on how air traffic management and air navigation services will need to be reformed to deal with automated and remotely piloted aircraft. It follows a paper published last year looking at the law related to drones and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) craft.

The project was requested by the government as part of its 'Future Flight Challenge', set up against the background of growing commercial interest in the technology. Earlier this year Amazon announced plans to make deliveries by drone from its 'fulfilment centre' in Darlington. Meanwhile authorities in China have approved taxi services using an automated two-seater vertical take-off aircraft made by Chinese company EHang.