Drones and the law?

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Cobra

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What is the law regarding flying drones in a built up area?
I often, maybe 3 or 4 times a week, get them flying around, and sometimes over head, daytime and or night time.
One in particular is quite large, I can see it way off in the distance, but I can also hear it, so I assume its a big'un.

I'm not about to spoil anyone's fun, but I just wondered.
 
ecoleman said:
Anything sub 250g can be flown in a built up area.
Click to expand...
Thanks. Going on the size and sound I would guess at least one exceeds that size. Obviously I can't weigh it,
but having flown Birds of prey for over 30 years I'm a pretty good judge of height and distance.
 
The police use drones and id bet these are much bigger than the 250g models. There is also some sort of trial using drones between Rugby and coventry hospitals -quite often see repeated tracks on flight tracking sites
Not to mention that the coast guard service uses them over the channel although these are more like the Reaper drones used by USA in Afghanistan
We were at Tower Bridge a week or so ago and there was some sort of waterbourne police incident at London Bridge. Police boats came from both directions - the one heading up stream wasnt sparing the horsepower and they had a drone doing a search pattern down stream of Tower bridge.
Apparently they have 20 Drones for various uses including crime scene photography.
 
Now we've passed the transition date I gather the rules are:

After 1 January 2023, you can continue to fly a 'legacy' unmarked drone in the following categories:
  • Drones under 250g can continue to be flown in the A1 subcategory.
  • All other drones must only be used in the A3 subcategory.
I gather A3 means:
  • Nо unіnvоlvеd реорlе рrеѕеnt wіthіn thе аrеа оf flіght
  • mаіntаіn 50m ѕераrаtіоn frоm аnу unіnvоlvеd реорlе.
  • nо flуіng wіthіn 150m hоrіzоntаllу оf rеѕіdеntіаl, соmmеrсіаl, іnduѕtrіаl оr rесrеаtіоnаl аrеаѕ.
The other day I noticed there was a guy on a local neighbourhood page asking if anyone had found his DJI Air2s that he'd lost in a residential street. I was waiting for the someone to ask why it was being flown in a residential area although I 'm not sure what the rules are now on commercial flying.
 
rob-nikon said:
nо flуіng wіthіn 150m hоrіzоntаllу оf rеѕіdеntіаl, соmmеrсіаl, іnduѕtrіаl оr rесrеаtіоnаl аrеаѕ.
Click to expand...
Well that wasn't happening :(

rob-nikon said:
The other day I noticed there was a guy on a local neighbourhood page asking if anyone had found his DJI Air2s that he'd lost in a residential street.
Click to expand...
Strangely, there was something similar here recently, but the reverse. "If anyone lost a drone, there is one in my back garden" :D
 

Where you can fly drones | UK Civil Aviation Authority

Find out about height limits and distances from people, buildings, crowds and vehicles. Restrictions on flying drones and model aircraft near airports.
register-drones.caa.co.uk register-drones.caa.co.uk

Drones under 250g:

4. Do not fly closer to people than 50m​

This includes people in buildings and transport, including cars, lorries, trains, and boats.

You must keep a minimum horizontal distance of 50m between your drone or model aircraft and people. This creates a no fly zone around people that goes all the way up to the legal height limit. It can help to think of this no fly zone as a cylinder.

You must not fly over people in this no fly zone, even if you fly higher than 50m.

People involved in what you’re doing​

The rule on minimum distances is different for people involved in what you’re doing.

You can fly closer than 50m to people who are with you and who are involved in what you’re doing, such as friends, family or colleagues out flying with you. Remember, you must never put anyone in danger.

Differences for smaller drones and model aircraft​

The rules on minimum distances to people are different for smaller drones and model aircraft.

Remember, you must never put people in danger. Even small drones and model aircraft could injure people if you don’t fly them safely.

Drones and model aircraft below 250g​

If you’re flying a drone or model aircraft that’s below 250g, you can fly closer to people than 50m and you can fly over them.

Drones and model aircraft that weigh 250g to 500g​

If you’re flying a drone or model aircraft that’s between 250g and 500g, you can fly closer to people than 50m, but you must not intentionally fly over them.
Click to expand...
 
cardiff_gareth said:

Where you can fly drones | UK Civil Aviation Authority

Find out about height limits and distances from people, buildings, crowds and vehicles. Restrictions on flying drones and model aircraft near airports.
register-drones.caa.co.uk register-drones.caa.co.uk

Drones under 250g:
Click to expand...
That is not correct… from the very website your linked.

Differences for smaller drones and model aircraft​

The rules on minimum distances to people are different for smaller drones and model aircraft.

Remember, you must never put people in danger. Even small drones and model aircraft could injure people if you don’t fly them safely.

Drones and model aircraft below 250g​

If you’re flying a drone or model aircraft that’s below 250g, you can fly closer to people than 50m and you can fly over them.

Drones and model aircraft that weigh 250g to 500g​

If you’re flying a drone or model aircraft that’s between 250g and 500g, you can fly closer to people than 50m, but you must not intentionally fly over them.

Small drones and model aircraft below 250g​

You can fly small drones and model aircraft that are lighter than 250g at residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites.

Remember, you must always fly safely.

Examples of residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites​

Residential sites include:

  • individual residential buildings
  • small groups of residential buildings
  • housing estates
  • villages
  • cities and towns
  • schools
Recreational sites include:

  • tourist attractions
  • sports facilities
  • beaches and parks
  • theme parks
Commercial sites include:

  • shopping centres
  • warehouses
  • business parks
Industrial sites include:

  • factories
  • docks
  • rail and transport hubs
 
Last edited:
cardiff_gareth said:
You've copy and pasted the same passage of writing that I did but included a bit more writing that was further down so technically not incorrect?!

You've just explained it a bit more
Click to expand...
on the iPad, you post looks like this…

which reads. Drones under 250g cannot fly within 50m.. I didn’t expand the rest of it…1EBE0436-88FA-4FF0-BC82-2FE4CA00E7A0.jpeg
 
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