Major update to drone regulations

[Max Headroom]

• Outcome of drone regulation consultation confirms a package of updates to simplify rules and enhance safety.
• New measures include product requirements for drones, Flyer ID training for sub-250g drone users, and the introduction of Remote ID.
• Updates are designed to future-proof the regulatory framework and create the right conditions for sustainable innovation and sector growth.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed it will recommend that the Secretary of State for the Department for Transport implements a set of important updates to the UK’s drone regulations following extensive consultation.
Reflecting detailed feedback from drone users, the changes will support the safe expansion of drone use while making it easier for users to understand and follow safety rules

The measures reinforce the regulator’s aim to create a world-leading regulatory environment that balances the need for safety and security with enabling the unmanned aircraft sector to grow.

Recommendations will include:

• Clearer, simpler rules for drone operations, including renaming sub-categories in the ‘Open’ category to make it more obvious what they allow* and replacing exemptions related to ‘toy’ drones with a new limit of 100g.
• Increased education requirements, with the free online mandatory Flyer ID training extended to users of drones over 100g and improvements to make guidance more user friendly.
• Introduction of drone product standards via class-marking to improve safety and security from the point of manufacture.
• Implementation of Direct Remote ID requirements to enable a drone to broadcast identification and location data.
• More time for adoption, with transitional arrangements for operators to adopt class-marked drones, and more flexible approval pathways for manufacturers.
• Allow most drone users to continue operating their existing devices in the same operational sub-categories as today.

For most drone users there are no significant changes to the rules on where and how to fly safely that are contained in the UK Dronecode.
Kevin Woolsey, Head of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:
“These changes represent a major step in creating a regulatory framework that is ready for the future - supporting safe, responsible drone use while enabling the sector to grow and innovate.
“We’ve listened carefully to the drone community to develop an approach that simplifies the rules, strengthens safety and security, and helps the entire sector transition smoothly to new standards.
“Our ambition is to establish the UK as a world leader in unmanned aircraft regulation, where users are empowered to operate safely, and the sector has the clarity and flexibility it needs to thrive.”
The updated framework follows significant engagement with the drone community through an earlier call for input and a formal public consultation, which received almost 3,500 responses. Additional contributions were received from the Home Office and police.
The Civil Aviation Authority will now work with the DfT to implement these changes in legislation. Once that has taken place, the regulator will communicate more information on the changes and timescales to the community.

Not to editors:​

• The full recommendations to the changes of drone regulations can be found in our consultation response document.
• *The open category sub-categories will now be: ‘Over people (A1)’, ‘Near people (A2)’ and ‘Far from people (A3)’
• Drone users can sign up for updates via the regulator’s Skywise alerting system.
• Read More here.

 

[tstr14]

New UK drone regs

 

[Mrktn]

So no RID on the Air 3s until 01/01/28 but then it becomes ugly with Joe Public with an app finding out all about me and my current location.

I fly under Article 16 authorisation with a drone club

What will happen with new DJI drones which come out before January 2026 to January 2028 with the UK markings instead of C0, C1 and C2 that have to be RID compliant? Will they have the etchings on them like the C1 on my Air 3s?

 

[mavic3usa]

Later tonight when I have trouble falling asleep, I'll put this on to get the finer details and the discussion. I mean that in a goo way because UK drone laws don't really affect me but it's interesting to see what changes are in order because the big claim is a few UK drone flyers are ruining the hobby with their "antics" and surely the coming changes will take away the fun....so let's see:

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[MS Coast]

So no RID on the Air 3s until 01/01/28 but then it becomes ugly with Joe Public with an app finding out all about me and my current location.

RID has been in use for more than a year here in the US, and despite the fears or some, there has been no epidemic of ugliness.

 

[Max Headroom]

Later tonight when I have trouble falling asleep

I hope you can post the important details I doubt many here will watch all 44 minutes.

 

[Max Headroom]

Here is the short version -

I will give the 33 page document a miss.

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[Max Headroom]

I have seen his posted on a Facebook earlier is it correct for the U.K?

Extract from the Information Act 2018:
Relevance to real-time location reporting:
Consent (Article 6(1)(a)):
Real-time location reporting generally requires explicit, informed consent from the individual. Without clear, informed, and voluntary consent, this form of data processing typically cannot rely on this provision.
Necessity & Proportionality (Article 6(1)(e) and (f)):
Even where processing might be justified as being in the public interest (such as safety regulations by the CAA), it must still pass strict necessity and proportionality tests, ensuring the minimum necessary data is processed, and less intrusive measures are not available.
Thus, under typical circumstances, processing and publicly reporting real-time location data without the explicit consent of the individual is highly likely to violate General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) unless clearly justified under one of the lawful bases outlined, strictly adhering to the necessity and proportionality principles.
For your specific scenario (CAA Remote ID proposals), the absence of explicit consent, combined with public disclosure of real-time pilot locations, raises significant concerns that this practice may contravene the GDPR, unless very clear safeguards, limitations, and justifications are provided by the regulator.

 

[Felix le Chat]

I have seen his posted on a Facebook earlier is it correct for the U.K?

Extract from the Information Act 2018:
Relevance to real-time location reporting:
Consent (Article 6(1)(a)):
Real-time location reporting generally requires explicit, informed consent from the individual. Without clear, informed, and voluntary consent, this form of data processing typically cannot rely on this provision.
Necessity & Proportionality (Article 6(1)(e) and (f)):
Even where processing might be justified as being in the public interest (such as safety regulations by the CAA), it must still pass strict necessity and proportionality tests, ensuring the minimum necessary data is processed, and less intrusive measures are not available.
Thus, under typical circumstances, processing and publicly reporting real-time location data without the explicit consent of the individual is highly likely to violate General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) unless clearly justified under one of the lawful bases outlined, strictly adhering to the necessity and proportionality principles.
For your specific scenario (CAA Remote ID proposals), the absence of explicit consent, combined with public disclosure of real-time pilot locations, raises significant concerns that this practice may contravene the GDPR, unless very clear safeguards, limitations, and justifications are provided by the regulator.

A wee-bit confused with this... in the UK it's the "Data Protection Act 2018".

The only "Information Act 2018" I'm aware of covers Fiji... which is way past VLOS...

 

[Max Headroom]

The only "Information Act 2018" I'm aware of covers Fiji... which is way past VLOS...

 

[Max Headroom]

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[mavic3usa]

So what happened? I thought the major complaint was there are a few "auditors" who are going to ruin it for everyone by flying their sub-250g in town and in and among and over buildings and people in places where they shouldn't be and enough business and police stations and trusts were going to get "annoyed" and change the law to prohibit them from doing so. The drone community looked down on "auditors" as if they were doing bad things and causing the rules to be changed by "pushing the limits." Did that happen? Or, did the opposite happen and it has not been opened up to drones *over* 250g also?

 

[Max Headroom]

Did that happen? Or, did the opposite happen and it has not been opened up to drones *over* 250g also?

From what this guy is saying it looks like drones under 900g will have the same restrictions (or few restrictions) that us flying sub 250g drones enjoy now i can only assume he has got this wrong why would they make the limit heavier when flying over people.

 

[mavic3usa]

From what this guy is saying it looks like drones under 900g will have the same restrictions (or few restrictions) that us flying sub 250g drones enjoy now i can only assume he has got this wrong why would they make the limit heavier when flying over people.

I don't know the UK rules and regulations for drones well enough to comment on the specific how's and why's but the video in post #4 starts the discussion at 5:39 regarding this specific proposal.

 

[Max Headroom]

the video in post #4 starts the discussion at 5:39 regarding this specific proposa

Video starts at that point -

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[David Metcalf]

If I understand correctly. despite my sub 250 gram Republic of Ireland drone registration, the UK has its own as not being part of the EU? Just in case I revisit the UK in the next few years.

 

[Felix le Chat]

If I understand correctly. despite my sub 250 gram Republic of Ireland drone registration, the UK has its own as not being part of the EU? Just in case I revisit the UK in the next few years.

Correct. UK is not EU jurisdiction. You'll have to register with the CAA and take the on-line test, after which you put your GBR-OP registration sticker on your drone. It'll cost you the dollar equivalent to £12.

 

[Felix le Chat]

So no RID on the Air 3s until 01/01/28 but then it becomes ugly with Joe Public with an app finding out all about me and my current location.

I fly under Article 16 authorisation with a drone club

What will happen with new DJI drones which come out before January 2026 to January 2028 with the UK markings instead of C0, C1 and C2 that have to be RID compliant? Will they have the etchings on them like the C1 on my Air 3s?

Just as a matter of interest (re: "Article 16" exemption) What have you been told this applies to? The same with the "FPV exemption" paragraph: both part of the original BMFA document.

With the "...flying above 400'..." exemption: this applies to only one kind of UAV (model aircraft) - the ones referred to as 'slope gliders' and in the same paragraph specifically states that this exemption does not apply to any multi-rotor aircraft, which are limited to the regulated 400'AGL cap.

The same with the "...FPV exemption..." paragraph set out later in the same document - which also categorically states that it does not apply to multi-rotor UAV's.

 

[Aerophile]

...You'll have to register with the CAA and take the on-line test, after which you put your GBR-OP registration sticker on your drone. It'll cost you the dollar equivalent to £12.

I haven't been paying close attention for months, but see this update, and have a couple questions...

1. I assume this is all still in the process of being implemented - that is, it's proposed, perhaps agreed-to, but not yet in effect - correct?

2. If so, when is the implementation date? I assume that's still some months (years?) down the road, correct?

I ask because I too am a visitor (or will be, in a few weeks); I'm from the USA and am already registered for the EU (also did it thru Ireland), but that doesn't cover the UK...I am about go register with the UK CAA, pay my £12, take the online test, then will get (or make?) the GBR-OP sticker and apply it to my drone.

My trip to the UK (Scotland) is coming up in July. I'm assuming nothing has changed yet and my plan to fly my sub-250 gram Mini 3 Pro can proceed without adjustments.

All correct? Thanks.

 

[Max Headroom]

My trip to the UK (Scotland) is coming up in July. I'm assuming nothing has changed yet and my plan to fly my sub-250 gram Mini 3 Pro can proceed without adjustments.

Nothing has changed.