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drone code
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In the UK, the Drone and Model Aircraft Code is provided by the Civil Aviation Authority, to set out the requirements for flying a drone or model aircraft in the Open category. It is mandatory that you register to use a drone that weighs 250 grams or more. You must also register a drone that has a camera. Registration has two parts; (1) as a person flying a drone or model aircraft, and (2) as an operator, owning one or more drones or model aircraft.
The registration process is straightforward and done online and includes taking a theory test to get the flyer ID. Renewal of the flyer ID is every 5 years, and 1 year for the operator ID. You’ll need to be 18 or older to get an operator ID.
"It is against the law to fly a drone or model aircraft without having the required IDs. You can be fined for breaking the law when flying and in the most serious cases, you could be sent to prison."
A flyer ID allows you to fly a drone or model aircraft as a hobby (basic, low-risk) in the Open A1 and A3 categories of flight operations.
The underlying principle behind the Drone and Model Aircraft Code is one of SAFETY. Always fly in a safe manner and keep the drone within visual line of sight of yourself at all times.
Keeping in mind the other users of the airspace, land ownership, privacy, and safety, a few things are NOT allowed. The points listed below are for all categories of drones irrespective of weight;
* Do NOT fly higher than 400ft from the nearest point of terrain.
* Do NOT fly in a manner that recklessly or negligently endangers people or property.
* Do NOT fly in a manner that recklessly or negligently endangers an aircraft, or any person in an aircraft.
* Do NOT fly in a Flight Restriction Zone without appropriate permission.
* Do NOT fly too close to people as to cause a nuisance.
* Do NOT take off and fly from an area that does not allow drones.
Flying a drone that is between 250g – 2kg (or that includes a camera) the additional points apply;
* Do NOT fly within 150m horizontally of any residential, commercial, industrial, or, recreational areas.
* Do NOT fly within 50m horizontally of uninvolved people (the public).
* Do NOT fly over uninvolved people at any height (especially crowds).
You can fly closer than 50m to people who are with you and who are involved in what you’re doing, such as friends, family or colleagues out flying with you.
The rules on minimum distances to people are different for smaller drones and model aircraft:
For drones <250g, you can fly closer than 50m to people and you can fly over people.
More advanced flying (moderate to high-risk operations), or to fly a drone or model aircraft that weighs 25kg or more, needs more than a flyer ID. The Specific category is for flight operations that have more risk than the Open category. The Certified category provides the regulations for flight operations that present an equivalent risk to that of manned aviation – where certification of an unmanned aircraft, certification of the operator, and licensing of the pilot are required.