Originally Posted by
electrotor
I have written to the Airprox Board, CAA & DfT asking for a clear definition of "drone".
Until such a defintion exists the proposed legislation is meaningless.
While EASA do use the word drone on their website and in some documents, the draft regulation in NPA 2017-05 doesn't use the word drone, it uses UAS and gives a definition.
‘unmanned aircraft (UA)’ means any aircraft operated or designed to be operated without a pilot on board, which has the capacity to operate autonomously or to be piloted remotely;
UK regulations that are based on this will presumably do the same.
The UK DfT give a definition of 'drone' in their consultation document
A drone is an unmanned aircraft, normally flown by a pilot from a distance, using a remote control station that communicates instructions to the drone. Drones are also known as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Those using drones are referred to as drone users, operators or pilots.
although they didn't always follow it.
I have also complained to the Airprox board about their use of the term. They came back saying that they default to the term drone as UAS is too technical for the general public and press.