Clarification of new rules in July for UK

[Lastrexking]

Can someone please clarify this for me? I've spent ages reading and reading and I think I've got myself into a situation where I'm more confused than when I started!

I bought a Mavic Mini before Christmas. In July, I need to register it with the CAA. I plan to use this to take on holiday with me and get some landscape shots. Can someone explain what certificate I need to obtain and what will the cost implications be?

Thanks in advance.

For the Mavic Mini - Currently, you need nothing. From July you’ll need to register with the CAA. Firstly as a person responsible for a drone, then as a flyer.
The fee is £9 to register as a person responsible for a drone and renewable annually. To register as a flyer is free, but you need to pass an online test. That lasts for three years.

All the info is here; Drone and model aircraft registration | UK Civil Aviation Authority

 

[jbyork]

Thanks for this - so, in July I need to register with the CAA for £9 and complete an online test. Is that all there is to it?

 

[Lastrexking]

Thanks for this - so, in July I need to register with the CAA for £9 and complete an online test. Is that all there is to it?

Yup. As long as you’re just flying recreationally.

 

[The Editor]

Yup. As long as you’re just flying recreationally.

Just to be clear (again).....

From July, it makes no difference whether you fly recreationally or commercially (other than requiring insurance for commercial operation).
The CAA (and EASA) will not distinguish whether you are flying for gain or not.
Thats why effectively the PfCO is dead from July 1st.

If you are happy to keep standoffs at the required distance and no close proximity or congested area flights then you are free to fly for commercial gain.

 

[Lastrexking]

Just to be clear (again).....

From July, it makes no difference whether you fly recreationally of commercially (other than requiring insurance for commercial operation).
The CAA (and EASA) will not distinguish whether you are flying for gain or not.
Thats why effectively the PfCO id dead from July 1st.

If you are happy to keep standoffs at the required distance and no close proximity or congested area flights then you are free to fly for commercial gain.

Thank you. It’s good to get this right, so I’m glad you’re on the ball. ??

 

[OgaKpataKpata]

Well, this is a useful thread. It's pretty much pointless buying any of the current DJi drones (or any manufacturer for that) as they will be classed as 'legacy' craft. I was considering buying a Zoom, but I'll hold off now.

I wish all retailers were as responsible as Heliguy and pointing out the change and how it will affect any purchase. Their guide is really helpful: CAA Approved DRONE TRAINING - A2 CofC, GVC and PfCO | HELIGUY.com

I think I'll take the A2 CotC test. I don't intend to fly commercially anymore, but I do work for friends that would require me to fly closer to their buildings.

Love the heliguy link. Thanks

 

[Gkinghrn]

so leaving aside commercial operations here and thinking of the non-commercial pilot (and ignoring the mm due to weight) This "Drones introduced to the market before July 1, 2022, will become known as legacy aircraft. So, after the Transitional Period ends, you will only be able to fly these legacy aircraft in the A3 subcategory (far from people – no uninvolved people present within the area of flight/no flight within 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas), unless you have a valid Operational Authorisation (PfCO)." basically says anything you buy before that date is heavily restricted for you (incl Mavic Air 2) ... so for the typical guy in the street does it not seem pointless to buy a drone now?

 

[OgaKpataKpata]

so leaving aside commercial operations here and thinking of the non-commercial pilot (and ignoring the mm due to weight) This "Drones introduced to the market before July 1, 2022, will become known as legacy aircraft. So, after the Transitional Period ends, you will only be able to fly these legacy aircraft in the A3 subcategory (far from people – no uninvolved people present within the area of flight/no flight within 150m horizontally of residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas), unless you have a valid Operational Authorisation (PfCO)." basically says anything you buy before that date is heavily restricted for you (incl Mavic Air 2) ... so for the typical guy in the street does it not seem pointless to buy a drone now?

If you don't have one already, then maybe a Mavic Mini, so that by the time they start producing certified drones, you and your skills will be ready to enter the big leagues with 1000+ euros in your pocket.

I decided to get the Mavic Mini

Edit: didn't see the "ignore the mm" part. X_X

 

[Banstead]

I find this a bit confusing in that if a PfCO will no longer exist?
The A2 CofC is the effective replacement and is only a theoretical test. So would this be just like the Driving Theory test, where you only have to take a test at £23 at a test center, without needing a training course.
At the moment I can only see training courses being offered or will that likely change?

 

[Deleted member 123036]

Can someone give me a TL;DR of this? This is the first time I’ve heard of any rules changing - I fly a mavic mini recreationally, how will this affect me?

 

[Deleted member 123036]

When does the transitional period end?

 

[zocalo]

Can someone give me a TL;DR of this? This is the first time I’ve heard of any rules changing - I fly a mavic mini recreationally, how will this affect me?

Rather than rehash things again, I'll point you at some relevant links.

Firstly, the new legislation that was supposed to come in on July 1st 2020 has been delayed until November 2020.

At that point any drone over 250g OR a drone with a camera regardless of weight (like the Mini) will need to be registered via the CAA's scheme.

The transition period, which ends in 2022 (barring delays - see link above), means that ALL current drones will become members of the "Legacy" class, which means even greater limitations on where they can be operated compared to those compliant with new legislation. (Note: I have no idea if the DJI Air 2 is compliant or not). More on this, including info on the new permit scheme if you need to operate closer to people and structures than the basic "Open" category here, here, and here.

Basically, we're in a holding pattern (pun intended) until the CAA and Government decide exactly what the new CofC and GVC and associated training courses are going to look like and bring the new rules into force. In a nutshell, if you can comply with the drone code and lockdown restrictions then nothing changes for you - as a MM pilot - until November 2020, at which point you'll just need to register with the CAA. There may also be limitations on your flight that may be relevant see here (again) for a good breakdown by aircraft type.

Come 2022 (or whenever) you'll have a Legacy aircraft which probably means you'll need to keep a greater distance from people or structures than compliant aircraft, but whether that's even an issue will depend on where you fly and the exact nature of the limitations (which is still TBC). If that is an issue for you, then you might (this is still TBC as well) be able to get by with a CofC or similar waiver, but failing that will need to get a new drone.

 

[Banstead]

That is the best clarification I have seen.

 

[Gkinghrn]

but it does look like the mm will not be classed as Legacy due to its weight (freom the other thread someone posted regarding their CofC training recently so it can fly closer than legacy craft..

 

[zocalo]

but it does look like the mm will not be classed as Legacy due to its weight (freom the other thread someone posted regarding their CofC training recently so it can fly closer than legacy craft..

Yeah, current drones that are "sub-250g with camera" currently seem to have the vaguest set of limitations under the new setup. Accordining to this table they're in the "A1 Legacy" class, but don't have any operating date limitations:

AFAICT from Heliguy's summary, what that actually *means* is that you'll still be able to fly the MM post the end of the Transition Period, but subject to the same limitations as all other drones in the Legacy class during the Transition Period, e.g. no closer than 150m from structures or recreational areas (whatever they are - beaches and national parks are kinds of recreational area, although I'm assuming it only means playing fields and the like) and no uninvolved persons within the area of flight. Those are pretty big limitations in practice, and likely to be a show stopper for many currently legal missions. An A2 CofC potentially gets you around some of that, but the details are light and the cost of getting it may make it more effective to just buy a new drone in the sub-250g class (A1/C0). Note that Heliguy does have a general disclaimer on post-2022 operation for all current aircraft though.

Take the online test and register with the CAA in November, then "wait and see" what'll need to be done in 2022 seems to be the only solid advice for the MM at present.

 

[Gkinghrn]

See here for new definition which puts mm into the A1 class And not legacy after 2022 so it makes a good reason to buy it For the non commercial folk

Mavic mini and the new drone rules - UK

The CAA has recently released an update advising the new drone rules due to come in July 2020 in the UK will be delayed until 1 Nov 2020 (or later): https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1789%20April%202020.pdf This document contains some interesting updates that may affect UK MM owners...

mavicpilots.com

 

[Physopto]

From what I can see after reading various posts here and elsewhere, is that come 2022 November onwards in the UK, every drone flyer will either have to have an A2 CofC and a new drone or a GVC and a new drone with the compliant sticker on it. Otherwise everyone will be required to be at least 150 metres away from uninvolved people.
The A2 CofC costs about £250 upwards depending where you go and the GVC costs around £500 upwards plus another £250 for CAA registration of your Operations Manual, then another £190 each subsequent year to do the same with your yearly updated Operations Manual.
At present no one knows what cost the A2 CofC will be to renew or whether you will be required to do another renewal course or what that cost may be.

In short we are to be screwed for every penny the CAA can squeeze out of us. This new compliance sticker to be put on the new drone in future is a real con by the CAA.

I will now stick with the £9 a year job and the 150 metre exclusion rule.

 

[scro]

@Physopto basically correct, unless... you have a drone that weighs less than 250g "flying weight" (no longer max. takeoff mass) such as the mavic mini, Tello or similar micro drones. At the moment the rules are such that these lightweight drones could be flown in the A1 category, including beyond 2022, so long as you have done the free basic test (aka DMARES) registered as a flyer and paid your £9 operator registration (or fly someone else's registered drone)

There may be a few changes to the draft rules that close this exception, but hopefully not!

The A3 category isn't really much different to the current rules. The 150m exclusion rule is already in force. It only drops to 50m if you're away from built up areas (ie out in a field), and then you'll mostly be 150m or more away from buildings anyway.