While we’ve been out and about this summer, we’re bound to have seen a drone or two, whizzing around, capturing memories of people’s days out in the sun,
says Mat Derbyshire, a solicitor specialising in criminal law at Tallents Solicitors.
But if you’re a drone owner, did you know that you might now be breaking the law while flying your drone and you could even be jailed for it?
Flying of drones is now strictly regulated
As of 30 July 2018, new laws came into effect in the UK which strictly regulate the use of drones.
Mat continues:
The new laws are an update to the Air Navigation Order 2016 and are part of the government’s attempts to ensure that the rapidly growing drone industry will be carefully regulated and controlled to protect both the public and manned aircraft.
These new drone laws will apply to both recreational and commercial pilots of drones within the UK and they are quite restrictive, so we are urging all drone owners to review the legislation and ensure they are compliant to avoid fixed penalty notices or fines of up to £2,500.
Additionally, if your drone endangers the safety of an aircraft, then it will be classed as a criminal offence and this could earn you a prison sentence of up to five years.
How will the new Drone Regulations affect me?
As a recreational user of a drone, you must adhere to the CAA’s Dronecode and :
- Ensure you fly your drone in a safe manner by checking the NATS/Civil Aviation Authority website: www.dronesafe.uk before each flight
- Thoroughly understand all the safety features of your drone before using, such as the ‘return to home’ function
- Keep your drone in sight at all times
- Not endanger anyone or anything with your drone, including anything that might drop off it
- Not fly your drone above 400ft (120m)
- Not fly your drone within one kilometre of an airport or protected aerodrome
If you have a camera or recording device on your drone then you must also ensure that you keep a specified distance from people and property (150ft / 50m), and also crowds of more than 1,000 people and built up / urban areas (500ft / 150m). You must also not overfly these. Images obtained with a drone should not break UK privacy laws either.
Flying drones commercially?
As a commercial user of a drone, you must:
- Pass a one-off certification course (costing approximately £1,000)
- Apply for CAA permission (costing approximately £247) and which must be renewed each year (approximate cost £187 per annum)
- Buy insurance
Mat says:
Drone users should be aware that they will be classed as a ‘commercial drone user’ if they upload images to a monetised YouTube channel, blog, social media account or website.
Additionally, from November 2019, owners of drones weighing more than 250g (half a pound) will also have to register with the CAA and take an online safety test showing they understand the UK’s safety, privacy and security regulations.
There is a new app called Drone Assist from NATS to help drone users fly their drone safely in UK airspace and this can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play.
Mat finishes:
These new regulations might seem overly complicated for what many perceive to be a child’s toy, but with nearly 100 events recorded last year where drones had an incident with an aircraft, it’s vital that steps are taken to protect planes and helicopters.
We want everyone to continue having fun and to fly safe, so experts at Tallents Solicitors are here to help if you have any questions. Just call 01623 666700 to arrange an appointment to discuss your responsibilities as a drone pilot.