Main UAV Flight Regulations in the UK

The document highlights the safety requirements that have to be met before a UAS is allowed to operate in the UK. At the present time there are no RPA pilot licenses recognized in aviation law. However, it is essential that pilots of any aircraft have at least a basic understanding of the applicable regulations, in particular the Air Navigation Order (ANO) and Rules of the Air Regulations. Therefore, the CAA will require a potential drone (UAV) operator to demonstrate pilot competence before any operating permission is issued. There are a variety of means of demonstrating pilot competence, the most common being to complete a course where the applicant demonstrates the necessary skills and knowledge by passing a ground exam and flight test. The CAA does not run these courses directly but instead approves commercial National Qualified Entities (NQEs) to conduct the training and assessment on the CAA's behalf.

Operators of unmanned aircraft must comply with Regulation (EC) 785/2004 (Article 2) on Insurance Requirements for Air Carriers and Aircraft Operators. Qualification Requirements are „Basic National UAS Certificate for Small Unmanned Aircraft (BNUC-STM)“ or „Remote Pilot Qualification – Small Unmanned Aircraft (RPQ-S)“.

All aircraft, including unmanned aircraft, must be operated in a manner that does not create a hazard to people or property. Even very small aircraft can be a hazard when operated in close proximity to people or property and could potentially inflict critical damage to other airspace users.

Articles 166 and 167 of the ANO 2009 explain the specific circumstances in which operating permission must be obtained from the CAA. In summary, permission is not required for drone (UAV) of 20 kg. MTOM or less being flown within direct unaided line of sight and away from people, property and congested areas. Most other operations, including flights in congested areas and those conducted for Aerial Work purposes, will require prior permission from the CAA. The Air Navigation Order defines a congested area as being 'any area of a city, town or settlement which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes. Permission must be obtained from the CAA to land or operate within a congested area. Permissions granted may be valid for one flight or for a period of up to 12 months.

Register for approved owners of drones (UAVs) for commercial purpose is obligatory in the UK for these with less than 7 kg. MTOM and between 7 kg. and 20 kg. MTOM.

As brief summary requirements and restriction for drones (UAVs) with less than 20 kg. MTOM are:

• The operation must not endanger anyone or anything;
• The aircraft must be kept within the visual line of sight (normally taken to be within 500 m horizontally and 400 ft. vertically) of its remote pilot (i.e. the ‘person in charge’ of it). Operations beyond these distances must be approved by the CAA (the basic premise being for the operator to prove that he/she can do this safely);
• Small unmanned aircraft (irrespective of their mass) that are being used for surveillance purposes are subject to tighter restrictions with regard to the minimum distances that you can fly near people or properties that are not under your control. If you wish to fly within these minima, permission is required from the CAA before operations are commenced;
• CAA permission is also required for all flights that are being conducted for aerial work (i.e. in very simple terms, you are getting paid for doing it);
• The 'remote pilot' has the responsibility for satisfying him/herself that the flight can be conducted safely.

More information about civil and commercial use of drones (UAV) you may read here: Global Drone (UAV) Flight Regulations