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Updates about drones

Information on the latest guidance and developments relating to drones

  • New European UAS Regulations

    21 June 2019 - We have published an outline of the new EU unmanned aircraft regulations: CAP 1789 The EU UAS Regulation Package Outline

    It includes a simple explanation of the general intent behind the key parts of the regulations and our plans for their implementation within the UK next year. And is intended to be used as an aid to reading and understanding the regulations themselves.

    Charge proposal for the UK Drone Registration Scheme

    Drone operator registration becomes a legal requirement at the end of November 2019. We anticipate the system will be live in October 2019. 

    A consultation on the registration charge is open until 7 June and available at  https://consultations.caa.co.uk/finance/drone-registration  

    Also from the end of November 2019 it will become a legal requirement for anyone flying a drone to pass an online test.

    We will provide more information on both aspects nearer the launch time.

    Granting permission for Small Unmanned Aircraft to operate within Protected Aerodrome Flight Restrictions Zones: Guidance to Protected Aerodrome Operators

    12 April 2019 – We have published guidance to aerodrome operators and providers of ATS at aerodromes with FRZs, to more fully inform their decision to grant or deny permission for small unmanned aircraft to operate within their Flight Restriction Zones (FRZs):  CAP1788 SUA Permission Guidance

    Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2019

    20 February 2019 – Following the amendment to the ANO that will enter into force on 13 March 2019, we have published guidance for small unmanned aircraft users with an outline of the revised regulations as they will now appear in law; to provide guidance on the effects of the changes; and how they will be interpreted by the CAA.  This guidance replaces CAP1687, which is now cancelled.

    UK Government publishes response to consultation on drone legislation

    8 January 2019 – The Department for Transport has now published its response to the consultation on future drone legislation that it conducted last summer.  The report can be found at  https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-response-to-future-of-drones-in-the-uk-consultation

    DJI battery update

    21 November - After reviewing evidence from DJI, we are in a place to remove some of the current restrictions if an operator can successfully apply the DJI workaround (and verify this). We do ask that all operators still proceed with caution and immediately return to home or hover if the device doesn’t behave as expected. We continue to monitor this issue daily, working with DJI and reviewing operator feedback. We welcome any thing further from operators on this matter. Please follow the link to access our new safety notice:  SN2018/011. 

    Drone registration survey

    We are currently building the drone registration service which all drone pilots and operators will need to register with from November 2019. To enable us to build a service that meets actual drone users requirements we are running a consultation on how people currently use drones. To help us with this please fill our survey found at https://sparck.typeform.com/to/mlsBqT

     We’re also running some workshops in London over the next few weeks where we will be looking to gain a deeper understanding of what is needed for the service. If you are available to come along to these workshops please sign up on at https://doodle.com/poll/t3mdwp8vy95p3wau

    If you can’t make these sessions but are interested in helping us build this service, please email: droneregistration@caa.co.uk

    Drone registration

    Registration and remote pilot competency requirements will come into force in November 2019. All the details of the scheme will be published nearer the time of its introduction.

    General Permission – Small UAS greater than 7kg

    6 September 2018 – We have just issued a General Permission (ORS4 No. 1279) which corrects an unintended consequence within the 2018 amendment to the Air Navigation Order.  This reinstates the ability for small UAS (with a mass greater than 7kg) to be flown above 400ft within controlled airspace or aerodrome traffic zones if permitted to do so by ATC.

    FPV General Exemption reissued

    26 July 2018 - We have just issued a revised FPV General Exemption (ORS4 No. 1273) which replaces the previous one (ORS4 No. 1226) on Monday 30 July 2018. The main change is a reduction in the permitted maximum height from 1000 ft to 400 ft, to tie in with the Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2018 which also takes effect on 30 July 2018.

    Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2018

    July 2018 - We have published guidance for small unmanned aircraft users with an outline of the revised regulations as they now appear in law; to provide guidance on the effects of the changes; and how they will be interpreted by the CAA.

    EASA publishes Opinion on EU UAS Regulation

    February 2018 - EASA has just published its ‘ Opinion’ (final draft) on the proposed EU UAS regulations, which follows on from the consultation that was conducted last year. 

    Drone safety risk 

    January 2018 - The CAA has published an assessment of the drone safety risk.

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