Regulation of UAVs in the United Kingdom

Parliament of the United Kingdom
Status: Unknown
Records of Parliamentary debate relating to the statute from Hansard, at TheyWorkForYou

Regulation of UAVs in the United Kingdom prescribes the rules that operators of unmanned aerial vehicles (commonly known as drones) must follow in the UK.

History

In August 2012, The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stated that it would require non-military drones larger than 20 kg to be able to automatically sense other aircraft and steer to avoid them.

As of 2013, the CAA required that UAV aircraft less than 20 kilogrammes in weight must be in direct visual contact with the pilot, cannot fly within 150 metres of a congested area or within 50 metres of a person or vehicle, and cannot be used for commercial activity.

In July 2018, the CAA forbade flying above 400 feet (120 m) and flying within 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) of an airport or airfield boundary.

Between 19 and 21 December 2018, flights were canceled at Gatwick Airport following reports of drone sightings close to the runway.

Regulation

The Civil Aviation Authority created a "Drone code" which lists the following regulations, forming the acronym DRONE:

"Don’t fly near airports or airfields, Remember to stay below 400 feet (120 m), Observe your drone at all times – stay 150 feet (46 m) away from people and 500 feet (150 m) away from crowds and structures, Never fly near aircraft and Enjoy responsibly". Further:

• Follow the manufacturer's instructions.

On 20 February 2019, the Department for Transport announced legislation to extend the ‘no-fly’ zone around airports, banning drones from flying within 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) of runways.

Operators of drones and model aircraft must obtain an 'Operator' ID and 'Flyer ID' from the Civil Aviation Authority before using their drone, which are awarded together after passing an online theory test. Children under the age of 18 cannot obtain an Operator ID, though they can be registered as flyers of their parent or legal guardian's drone by passing the same theory test and receiving a Flyer ID. After passing the theory test, all drones must display the owner's Operator ID when in operation. Flyer IDs must be renewed every three years, while Operator IDs must be renewed annually.

Categories of Operations

Open Category (for low-risk, non-commercial flights)

Sub-category	Weight range	Requirements
A1 — Fly Over People	Less than 250 g	May be flown without specific permission from the CAA provided the pilot follows the manufacturer's operating instructions.
A2 — Fly Close to People	Between 250 g and 2 kg	Operators must complete the CAA's online theory test and comply with the relevant operational restrictions.
A3 — Fly Far from People	Over 2 kg but less than 25 kg	May only be operated in designated areas approved by the CAA, and require specific operational authorisation.

Key Rules for Open Category

• Maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS): The drone must be kept within the operator's direct line of sight during flight. The use of binoculars or visual aids is not permitted. A maximum horizontal range of 500 metres from the operator must be adhered to.
• Observe Altitude Limits: In order to prevent interference with manned aircraft, flights above 120 metres (400 feet) ground level are not permitted.
• Avoid Restricted Airspace: Stay clear of airports, airfields, and other controlled or restricted zones unless you have explicit permission.
• Fly Safely and Responsibly: Do not fly near people, animals, or vehicles in a way that could pose a risk. Flying within 50 metres of uninvolved people is not permitted, except during take off and landing, when the required distance is 30 metres.
• Register with the CAA: Drones over 250 g must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority, and operators must obtain an Operator ID.
• Complete Required Online Training: If flying in the A2 or A3 subcategories, you must pass the Civil Aviation Authority's online theory test and obtain a flyer ID.
• Respect Privacy Laws: Be aware of and comply with privacy and data protection regulations when recording photos or videos in public or private spaces.

Specific Category (for higher-risk or commercial flights)

The specific category covers more complex UAVs operations that fall outside the standard limitations of the Open Category. These flights often involve drones weighing over 2 kg, or situations where restrictions of the A2 subcategory are too limiting. This category is for operators who intend to fly under the following conditions:

• Conducting flights over crowds or large gatherings.
• Dropping objects or spraying substances (such as for agricultural use).
• Operating heavier drones (weighing more than 500 g) in close proximity (less than 50 metres during flight or 30 metres during take off and landing) to people, including in residential or built-up areas.
• Flights exceeding 120 metres (400 feet) above ground level.
• Flights exceeding the maximum horizontal range of 500 metres from the operator.
• Flights outside of the visual line of sight of the operator.

Operating under this category requires specific authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority, which sets out the precise conditions and safety requirements for each mission.

Certified Category (for the highest-risk drones)

The certified category is designated for drones used in commercial aviation. For example:

• Operating an unmanned aircraft with a span or dimension of 3 metres or more over crowds or large gatherings.
• Transporting people using an unmanned aircraft.
• Carrying dangerous goods that would pose a significant risk to third parties in the event of an accident.

Full certification and approval from the CAA is required to operate under this category.

External links

• UK CAA Regulations and Overview
• Drone Safe