Hello, my name is Ben Lovegrove and in this video I'm going to explain what everyone needs
to know about the new drone laws for the UK.
Before I begin may I suggest you register for an account with SUAS if you're a drone
pilot seeking contacts and information and with Drone Major Group if you're a UAV supplier.
Use the link in the description area below this video on YouTube.
Every amateur drone pilot needs to understand the rules regarding the safe flying of drones
in UK airspace.
Every professional drone pilot will learn all about these rules and regulations during
their training courses conducted by an NQE - a National Qualified Entity.
The UK Dronecode is published by the Civil Aviation Authority, the national body that
oversees and governs UK airspace.
The purpose of the UK Dronecode is "to assist drone users in flying safely".
Stick to these regulations and you'll not only minimse the risk of harming anyone or
anything but you will also stay out of trouble with the Law.
You can download a copy of the UK Dronecode from the Drone Safe website: dronesafe.uk.
The new version came into effect on 30th July 2018 and enshrines in law what were previously
only guidelines for the safe flying of UAV in UK airspace.
So let's get down to it then.
The CAA have invented a mnemonic, D.R.O.N.E., to help remind drone pilots of the basics.
It goes like this:
Don’t fly near airports or airfields.
Remember to stay below 400ft (120m).
Observe your drone at all times – stay 150ft (50m) away from people and property.
Never fly near aircraft.
Enjoy responsibly.
If you remember that much you'll be doing well but you should also aborb these details:
BE DRONE SAFE
Always keep your drone in sight.
Even if you can still see it you might become confused as to its orientation.
So only fly it as far as you can confidently operate it.
It's not about how far the drone can fly technically, it's more about how far your abilties extend.
Never fly your drone above 400ft (120m).
That's measured from the ground, not sea level.
That's the Law now and it is being enforced.
Ignorance of the Law is no protection against prosecution.
BE DRONE AWARE
Get to know your drone and only fly it within the envelope specified within the manufacturer's
instructions.
You have read the manual, haven't you?
Your drone is an aircraft, not a TV or a toaster.
You need to study the manual to learn about its capabilities and its limitations.
Keep the right distance away from people and property.
This is the one that often confuses people because there's so much footage of drones
flying in crowded streets.
But these shots are either outside the UK, where the rules are different, or carried
out with all the necessary permissions.
Or the footage was captured in contravention of the local laws.
In the UK you need to keep your drone a minimum of 150ft (50m) away from people and property.
But that's just individuals and small groups.
When it comes to crowds and built up areas you need to keep your drone a minimum of 500ft
(150m) away.
And don’t overfly anyone or any property.
BE DRONE LEGAL
As pilot in command of your drone you are responsible for every flight you undertake.
If anything goes wrong, if you make a mistake, or you do something stupid, you are liable.
If you break the law as a drone pilot you can face criminal prosecution.
Stay well away from aircraft, airports, and airfields.
It is against the law to fly your drone within 1km of an airport or airfield boundary.
If your drone endangers life by flying close to an aircraft you could be looking at up
to five years in gaol.
One other thing that is not mentioned in the Dronesafe leaflet is the need to be aware
of small grass airstrips
and helicopter landing pads on private land.
I once filmed at Knowlton Church in Dorset.
Thanks to the flight planning I had been taught in training I spotted a grass airstrip nearby.
Had the strip been in use when I was flying my drone there was a risk that my drone might
have come into conflict with any aircraft departing or landing at the strip.
That concludes this brief view of the new drone laws in the UK.
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