Updates

Getting what you need to fly legally

Updated content to include registration requirements that will be in force from 1 January 2026.

Updated content to include information on the new UK class marking framework that will be introduced from 1 January 2026.

Updated content to include information on where you can fly using class-marked UAS from 1 January 2026.

Point 4: Do not fly closer to people than 50m

Updated content to clarify that there are some exceptions to the do not fly closer to people than 50m rule.

Updated content to include information on where you can fly drones and model aircraft below 250g, or UK0, UK1, C0 or C1 class.

Point 6: Keep at least 150m away from residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas

Updated content to replace the reference of ‘sites’ to ‘areas’ to align with regulatory requirements.

Updated content to include that you must keep at least 50m from individual buildings.

Updated content to include information on where you can fly using class-marked UAS from 1 January 2026.

Point 7: Stay well away from airports, airfields, spaceports and aircraft

Updated content to include checking for other airspace restrictions.

Updated content to include a section on geo-awareness systems.

Point 9: Get the right authorisation before flying outside this code

Updated reference to sub-categories to Over People (A1) and Far from People (A3).

Updated content to include the provision that if you want to fly in other types of restricted airspace, you’ll need permission.

Updated content to remove reference to the Civil Aviation Authority issuing general authorisations.

Point 10: Make sure you know what your drone or model aircraft can and cannot do

Updated content to include a section on geo-awareness.

Point 19: Use a flashing light when flying at night

New content on using a flashing light when flying at night.

Point 32: Fly with Remote ID switched on when flying a UK1, UK2 or UK3 class drone or model aircraft

New content on flying with Remote ID switched on from 1 January 2026.

Point 33: Make sure that anyone flying your drone or model aircraft has the right competence certificate, such as a valid Flyer ID

Updated content to include the provision that if you are the operator of a drone or model aircraft that is being flown by someone who does not hold the right competence certificate, you may be liable to prosecution.

Point 7: Stay well away from airports, airfields, spaceports and aircraft

Updated content to provide link to CAA page on airspace restrictions apps.

Updated content to note that inbuilt drone software may not always be up to date.

Point 8: Follow any flying restrictions and check for hazards

Updated content to provide link to CAA page on airspace restrictions apps.

Point 4: Do not fly closer to people than 50m

Updated content to clarify requirements for flying in the Open A2 category.

Point 8: Follow any restrictions and check for hazards

NOTAM term updated to Notices to Aviation to reflect update to term made in CAP 1430, September 2021.

Code updated to reflect the Department for Transport’s decisions to:

• extend the transition and legacy provisions in the Open category to 1st January 2026
• remove the automatic recognition of class marks issued within the EU, as equivalent to UK Class marks, from the 23rd December 2022, in The Aviation Safety and Air Traffic Management (Amendment) Regulations 2022.

Getting what you need to fly legally

References to class marks removed.

Point 2: Always keep your drone or model aircraft in direct sight and make sure you have a full view of the surrounding airspace

Content updated to include the requirement to be able to see which way your drone or model aircraft is facing.

Point 4: Do not fly closer to people than 50m

References to class marks removed.

Point 6: Keep at least 150m away from residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites

References to class marks removed.

Content added to examples of residential sites to clarify that the point applies to individual and small groups of buildings.

Terms ‘areas’ changed to ‘sites’ to help with clarification.

Point 8: Follow any restrictions and check for hazards

Emergency incidents: content updated to enhance the details on not flying at or near incidents.

Point 10: Make sure you know what your drone or model aircraft can and cannot do

Content on modifying drones or model aircraft removed to reflect the removal of class marks.

Point 12: Never drop, lower or fire anything from your drone or model aircraft while it's flying

‘Lower or fire’ added to point.

Point 30: Label all your drones and model aircraft with your operator ID

Content on how to label your drone or model aircraft added.

Point 31: Always make sure that anyone flying your drone or model aircraft has appropriate authorisation, such as a valid flyer ID

References to class marks removed.

Point 33: Maintain your drone or model aircraft so that it’s safe to fly

References to class marks removed.

Point 34: You must renew your operator ID every year

Note added on legal requirement to keep operator registration details up to date.

Categories of drone and model aircraft operations

Update to improve wording of links to categories.

Flying using first-person view (FPV)

Details added on the requirements for flying using first-person view (FPV).

Point 3: Fly below 120m (400ft)

Low-flying military aircraft added to examples of types of aircraft to look and listen out for.

Point 7: Stay well away from airports, airfields, spaceports and aircraft

Spaceports added to content.

New image added to show spaceport flight restriction zone.

Link updated to reflect new website address for the CAA’s map of airspace restrictions.

Point 8: Follow any flying restrictions and check for hazards

Detail added for sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Apps and other resources with details of restrictions: drone app point revised following closure of dronesafe.uk website.

Point 9: Get the right authorisation before flying outside this code

Updated links to reflect revised website addresses.

Point 18: Report any dangerous incidents, near misses or suspicious activity

Link to CAA guidance on what must be reported added.

Point 33: Maintain your drone or model aircraft so that it’s safe to fly

Detail added on the requirement that class marks must not be removed.

Point 34: You must renew your operator ID every year

Update to improve wording.

Point 18: Report any dangerous incidents, near misses or suspicious activity

Incident reporting link updated to reflect new website address for the reporting service.

Background: Drones and model aircraft in the law

Link updated to reflect new website address for the Civil Aviation Authority copy of Air Navigation Order with amendments inserted.

Minor content corrections and amendments.

Getting what you need to fly legally

Content related to flyers under 12 removed to reflect revised regulations.

Code updated to reflect implementation of the revised UAS Regulatory Package, which became applicable in its entirety in the UK from 31 December 2020.