 | This article needs to be updated.(October 2024) |
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| 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.
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. [1]
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. [1] [2]
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. [3]
Between 19 and 21 December 2018, flights were canceled at Gatwick Airport following reports of drone sightings close to the runway.
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:
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. [4] 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. [5]
| 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. |
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:
Operating under this category requires specific authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority, which sets out the precise conditions and safety requirements for each mission.
The certified category is designated for drones used in commercial aviation. For example:
Full certification and approval from the CAA is required to operate under this category.