Drones should be integrated into the existing aviation system in a safe and proportionate manner and this integration should foster an innovative and competitive European drone industry, creating jobs and growth, in particular for SMEs. The proposed regulatory framework should set a level of safety and of environmental protection acceptable to the society and offer enough flexibility for the new industry to evolve, innovate and mature. Therefore the exercise is not simply transposing the system put in place for manned aviation but creating one that is proportionate, progressive, risk based and the rules must express objectives that will be complemented by industry standards.