Following an announcement in May 2018, new drone laws are on the way in the UK. There is a lot of confusion in the UK around the ownership and use of drones, and the announcement of new drone laws coincides with a report by PWC predicting massive growth in their use. A commonly asked question is do I need a drone licence? The answer to this will remain no after the new laws are introduced, but owners of drones weighing more than 250g will have to register their aircraft. The idea behind this is to encourage [...]

It’s a little known fact but the first British flight took place in Kent. Way back in 1909 John Moore Brabazon made the first officially recognised aeroplane flight on the Isle of Sheppey and was granted the UK’s first pilot licence. I wonder what he would have made of drones that are becoming a common sight in the sky above Kent!   Drone hire in Kent is becoming very popular as more and more industries and businesses are embracing the technology. There’s still some public perception that drones are toys and can be a menace, but this [...]

A report published by accountants PWC in May 2018 predicts an explosion in the drone industry over the next decade. The story was picked up by the BBC and The Guardian, and it’s a great step forward in changing public perception of drones as ‘toys’ and a dangerous nuisance. The report states that increased use of drones in sectors from energy to construction will lift GDP by some 2%. This is fantastic news for CAA approved drone pilots and anyone thinking about careers in the drone industry. Over 600,000 new jobs will result from increased use [...]

Will litigation against illegal operators in the UK increase or will it continue to appear sidelined by the Police?  The CAA have officially laid the responsibility of enforcing the new rules at the door of the UK’s Police forces. Essential information to take away from the statements released today: New laws now in force [30th May 2018] Below 400ft No closer than 1000m from airports New laws coming into force [30th November 2019] All aircraft over 250grams in weight must be registered Pilots of these aircraft must undertake online tests £5- £10 per UAV (Estimated) The DFT article states: “Users who fail [...]

Drones do not have to be registered in the UK at the moment, but the government has announced plans to change this. The timetable and details are yet to be confirmed, but it’s believed drone registration will only apply to aircraft weighing more than 250g. You do have to be approved by the Civil Aviation Authority to carry out commercial work at the moment, and this can cause confusion. It also means that if you need to hire a drone pilot you should check that he has the necessary CAA approval. An approved drone pilot operates [...]

Drones are being used in a range of industries now, but where would you look if you need to hire a drone pilot in the UK? A search engine or local directory might be a place to start, but how can you be confident you’ll get an experienced professional? The instant drone hire quote facility from Drone Safe Register is the answer. Anyone using a drone for business or profit in the UK must have approval to carry out commercial operations from the Civil Aviation Authority. A CAA approved drone pilot can carry out different types [...]

In 2016 the Civil Aviation Authority worked with industry representatives to investigate the consumer drone sector. This led to the development of the so called Drone Code. The Drone Code sets out very clearly and simply the rules and guidelines for flying drones within the law in the UK. Some of the findings of the CAA’s 2016 review included – The majority of people considering the purchase of a drone planned to use it for recreation. This has changed over the past couple of years in that increasing numbers of people are interested in becoming CAA [...]

The popularity and affordability of drones is making many people think about a career in the industry. A frequently asked question is therefore ‘Do I need a CAA drone licence.’ If you use a drone for personal use as a hobby, CAA approval isn’t required as such. However, you still need to fly safely and responsibly and be aware of the general public. Anyone using a drone for business or profit does need a CAA drone license in the form of a ‘PfCO’ – or Permission to Fly Commercial Operations to give it the full title. [...]

The UK drone industry is still regarded as being in it’s early days, however Drone Safe Register (and it’s industry leading network of professional drone pilots) is at the leading edge of legislation and law interpretation. Members converse regularly on these topics as a sound understanding is paramount in their businesses. Something worth keeping in mind is that the CAA have a safety first approach for all operations, be it drones, gilders or 747's landing at Heathrow. Obviously, this is a good thing. It helps to ensure operations involving drones in the UK are safe and [...]