Where you can fly

Drone and model aircraft flying is split into categories that set out where you can fly and what you can do.

Everyone starts in the Open Category, which covers basic, low-risk flying.

The Open Category has three sub-categories:

• Over People (A1)
• Near People (A2)
• Far from People (A3)

If you're just starting out flying drones or model aircraft, you'll start in either the Over People (A1) or Far from People (A3) sub-categories, depending on the class mark or weight of your drone or model aircraft.

If you want to fly in the Near People (A2) sub-category, you'll need to pass an exam to get the A2 Certificate of Competency.

Over People (A1): overview

These are the key rules in the Over People (A1) sub-category.

You should read the Drone and Model Aircraft Code before you fly.

Class mark or weight of drone or model aircraft you can use

UK Class mark: UK0, UK1

European class mark: C0, C1

Weight (only if your aircraft has no class mark): less than 250g

What you must have

You must have a Flyer ID if your drone or model aircraft weighs 100g or more.

You must have an Operator ID if your drone or model aircraft weighs 100g or more and has a camera.

Do not

• Do not fly over crowds.
• Do not fly above 120m (400ft).
• Do not fly in restricted airspace.
• Do not carry dangerous goods or drop articles.

Do

• Do keep your drone or model aircraft in direct sight at all times, with a full view of the surrounding airspace.
• Do respect people's privacy.
• Do follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code.

Distances from places and people

• Keep your drone or model aircraft at a safe distance from people.
• You can fly closer to people than 50m horizontally, including people who are not involved in what you're doing.
• You can fly over people, including people who are not involved in what you're doing.
• You can fly in residential, recreational, commercial or industrial areas.

Far From People (A3): overview

These are the key rules in the Far From People (A3) sub-category.

You should read the Drone and Model Aircraft Code before you fly.

Class mark or weight of drone or model aircraft you can use

UK class mark: UK2, UK3, UK4

European class mark: C2, C3, C4

Weight (only if your aircraft has no class mark): less than 25kg

What you must have

You must have a Flyer ID if your drone or model aircraft weighs 100g or more.

You must have an Operator ID if your drone or model aircraft weighs 100g or more and has a camera.

Do not

• Do not fly above 120m (400ft).
• Do not fly in restricted airspace
•  Do not carry dangerous goods or drop articles.

Do

• Do keep your drone or model aircraft in direct sight at all times, with a full view of the surrounding airspace.
• Do respect people's privacy.
• Do follow the Drone and Model Aircraft Code.

Distances from places and people

• Keep your drone or model aircraft at a safe distance from people.
• You must not fly closer to people than 50m horizontally, unless they're involved in what you're doing.
• You must not fly over people, unless they're involved in what you're doing.
• You must not fly closer to residential, recreational, commercial or industrial areas than 150m horizontally.
• You must not fly closer to individual buildings than 50m horizontally. Individual means at least 50m from other buildings.

Use a green flashing light when flying at night

If you fly a drone or model aircraft at night, your aircraft must have a green flashing light turned on. This will make it easier for other people and aircraft to spot your aircraft.

What to do if your drone or model aircraft does not have a built-in light

If your drone or model aircraft does not have a built-in green flashing light, you must securely fit one. 

The weight of the green flashing light counts towards the overall weight of your drone or model aircraft, so you must check to see if the weight of the light means different regulations apply to your operation.

Privacy and property

You must always respect people's privacy and not cause a nuisance. Find out more about privacy.

Make sure you're allowed to fly

Make sure the person or organisation that owns the land or property where you want to fly allows you to take off and land from their property. Find out more about where you can fly.

Insurance

Make sure you have the appropriate insurance

If you fly for recreation or sport, you can choose whether to have insurance. If you fly commercially, you must have third party insurance.

It is against the law to fly a drone or model aircraft without having the required IDs. You can also be fined for breaking the law when flying. In the most serious cases, you could be sent to prison.

What to do if you want to do more advanced flying

If you decide you want to do more advanced flying, you'll need to meet more requirements, such as passing more advanced qualifications and getting an authorisation from us.