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Unlicensed Merseyside Police drone grounded


http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...7_42958475.jpg The force first began testing drone devices in May 2007

Police on Merseyside have had to ground their new drone over concerns it was being used illegally without a licence.
Merseyside Police said they had been unaware they needed a licence to fly the £40,000 remote control helicopter fitted with CCTV.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said it needed to be consulted over any use of the drones, that can fly up to 400ft and reach speeds of 30mph.
The force's new drone was used last week to catch a car thief in thick fog.
All unmanned aircraft, not just ones that weigh 15lb (7kg) or more, now have to be licensed to conduct aerial surveillance work after the law changed at the start of the year.
They need CAA permission to fly within 164ft (50m) of people and within 492ft (150m) of buildings.
The CAA said any breach in regulations, which came into force on 1 January 2010, would be "treated seriously".
A Merseyside Police spokesman said: "Since the force has known of the change in regulations all Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) flights have been suspended and will remain so until the appropriate licence has been granted."
He added that the CAA had been invited to inspect the drone and see how they used it.
Thermal image
The air space regulator confirmed it was investigating the use of the drone by Merseyside Police and the force had stopped all drone operations.
A CAA spokesman said it had the powers to fine those who operated illegally, but said the investigation with the Merseyside force was only in its early stages.
The military-designed equipment is directed through a remote control, which is used by an officer on the ground.
The police force has had the drone since November and has said it could be used for a range of uses, from hostage situations to monitoring large public events.
Last week, officers said thermal images provided by the force's drone led it to the first arrest it had been involved with.
A man was tracked down with the camera after he ran off from a stolen car.
The technology onboard the drone meant the officer using it was able to use live images of the suspect's body heat. The officer then directed patrols on the ground to where the man was hiding in undergrowth.
Two men were arrested and later bailed in connection to the theft.

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Hmm, so when is a drone not a model then... I assume that the comment "under 7KG" meant over 7kg... I bet there are some RC models out there that are more than that?
Kev.

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if that is so i hope he has a instrument rating and type rating and the wx was in limits for the landing

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Diversion fuel?

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Diversion fuel? It's battery operated.

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If a model helicopter is used for the purpose of "aerial work" in the UK (whatever it's weight), then a permission must be obtained from the CAA. If a model weighs more than 7Kgs, then it is classed as an aircraft and an exemption is required from the CAA.

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Small unmanned aircraft

166.—(1) A person must not cause or permit any article or animal (whether or not attached to a parachute) to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft so as to endanger persons or property.

(2) The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft may only fly the aircraft if reasonably satisfied that the flight can safely be made.

(3) The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft must maintain direct, unaided visual contact with the aircraft sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions.

(4) The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft which has a mass of more than 7kg excluding its fuel but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of its flight, must not fly the aircraft—
(a) in Class A, C, D or E airspace unless the permission of the appropriate air traffic control unit has been obtained;
(b) within an aerodrome traffic zone during the notified hours of watch of the air traffic control unit (if any) at that aerodrome unless the permission of any such air traffic control unit has been obtained; or
(c) at a height of more than 400 feet above the surface unless it is flying in airspace described in sub-paragraph (a) or (b) and in accordance with the requirements for that airspace.

(5) The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft must not fly the aircraft for the purposes of aerial work except in accordance with a permission granted by the CAA.


Small unmanned surveillance aircraft
167.—(1) The person in charge of a small unmanned surveillance aircraft must not fly the aircraft in any of the circumstances described in paragraph (2) except in accordance with a permission issued by the CAA.
(2) The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are—
(a) over or within 150 metres of any congested area;
(b) over or within 150 metres of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons;
(c) within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft; or
(d) subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), within 50 metres of any person.
(3) Subject to paragraph (4), during take-off or landing, a small unmanned surveillance aircraft must not be flown within 30 metres of any person.
(4) Paragraphs (2)(d) and (3) do not apply to the person in charge of the small unmanned surveillance aircraft or a person under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft.

(5) In this article ‘a small unmanned surveillance aircraft’ means a small unmanned aircraft which is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition.

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Quote:
If a model helicopter is used for the purpose of "aerial work" in the UK (whatever it's weight), then a permission must be obtained from the CAA. If a model weighs more than 7Kgs, then it is classed as an aircraft and an exemption is required from the CAA.

That's not a very good synopsis of what the ANO actually says.

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