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Registration of UK drone operators expanded in scope.
(A moderator will probably move this topic but I post it here because quite a number of us fly model aircraft of various types for leisure purposes).
I've just received notification from the CAA that operators of ALL drones and model aircraft weighing more than 250g will be required by law to take an online test to qualify and to register annually (at their own expense). This is from 30 November 2019, only five weeks from now. Although the annual registration cost is a relatively low £9 I think this will result in many inadvertently breaking the law because no doubt thousands of model fliers have no contact with the CAA or even a model club. My own model aircraft will remain in the loft! |
Go back to flying control models, they are not affected.
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Originally Posted by pontifex
(Post 10602374)
Go back to flying control models, they are not affected.
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Originally Posted by ShyTorque
(Post 10602347)
This is from 30 November 2019, only five weeks from now.
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Originally Posted by ShyTorque
(Post 10602347)
(A moderator will probably move this topic but I post it here because quite a number of us fly model aircraft of various types for leisure purposes).
I've just received notification from the CAA that operators of ALL drones and model aircraft weighing more than 250g will be required by law to take an online test to qualify and to register annually (at their own expense). This is from 30 November 2019, only five weeks from now. Although the annual registration cost is a relatively low £9 I think this will result in many inadvertently breaking the law because no doubt thousands of model fliers have no contact with the CAA or even a model club. My own model aircraft will remain in the loft! I am not going to lose any sleep now I know this. |
Originally Posted by ShyTorque
(Post 10602347)
(A moderator will probably move this topic but I post it here because quite a number of us fly model aircraft of various types for leisure purposes).
I've just received notification from the CAA that operators of ALL drones and model aircraft weighing more than 250g will be required by law to take an online test to qualify and to register annually (at their own expense). This is from 30 November 2019, only five weeks from now. Although the annual registration cost is a relatively low £9 I think this will result in many inadvertently breaking the law because no doubt thousands of model fliers have no contact with the CAA or even a model club. My own model aircraft will remain in the loft! |
Originally Posted by Nige321
(Post 10602881)
If you have taken any BMFA proficiency test you don't need to do the CAA test...
Interestingly, there appears to be no way of taking the online test at the moment - it's apparently not yet online! |
Originally Posted by ShyTorque
(Post 10603122)
Correct - all explained on the CAA website, link here: https://www.caa.co.uk/Consumers/Unmanned-aircraft/Our-role/Drone-and-model-aircraft-registration/?mc_cid=ef3fce4f1f&mc_eid=b65c38c183
Interestingly, there appears to be no way of taking the online test at the moment - it's apparently not yet online! =left"Citation and commencement. 1. These Regulations may be cited as the Air Navigation (Minimum Age for Operators of Small Unmanned Aircraft) Regulations 2019 and come into force on 1st October 2019.... Article 94C of the 2016 Order sets out the circumstances in which the Civil Aviation Authority (“the CAA”) must issue a certificate of registration as an SUA operator to a person, or renew that person’s certificate of registration" I then wrote to Richard Moriarty, CEO of the CAA, informing him that I was asking my MP to make enquiries of the Secretary of State for Transport as to when the CAA would be complying with the ANO, and the response from the CEO's office of the CAA was spectacularly quick. They apologised for breaking the 1st October deadline, and have since told me the application process will be live from 5th November, giving less than 4 working weeks time to pass tests and to apply, compared to the almost 9 weeks we were assured would be available from the mandated 1st October opening date. It appears to be spectacular incompetence by the CAA, who now appear almost incapable of providing the required means to take money from people who just want to fly toys with their kids etc. |
Originally Posted by pilotmike
(Post 10603410)
It appears to be spectacular incompetence by the CAA, who now appear almost incapable of providing the required means to take money from people who just want to fly toys with their kids etc.
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We have the same problem with the FAA in the US, if you want to fly model aircraft. As part of the FAA, Reauthorization Act of 2018, Model Aircraft flying is now restricted to 400' AGL or below. With no wavers being issued at this time. Also, any recreational flyers, have to register at the FAA, and pay a fee to obtain an "Aircraft Registration" number that has to be attached to all the pilots Model Aircraft. So many facets of Model Flying, for example Thermal Duration Sailplanes , F3B/F3F, etc, are effectively grounded, with this 400 foot "ceiling". . US pilots will be unable to train for International FAI contests too.
The organization that represents most Model Aircraft flyers here in the US, the Academy of Model Aeronautics , or AMA had been told, that AMA club fields, and flight in Class G airspace would not be restricted. Well that didn't happen. Not only that, but there is also a requirement for hobby flyers, to pass an Aeronautical Knowledge Test, just like the UK. excerpt from Section 349, of this Reauthorization Bill, Aeronautical Knowledge and Safety Test.-- ``(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this section, the Administrator, in consultation with manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems, other industry stakeholders, and community-based organizations, shall develop an aeronautical knowledge and safety test, which can then be administered electronically by the Administrator, a community- based organization, or a person designated by the Administrator. Here is full text of the FAA Reauthorization Act. https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/302/text?overview=closed&r=3 At least BFMA members will still be allowed to fly Model Aircraft above 400 feet, Members will continue to benefit from the existing permissions/exemptions already granted to the CAA recognised UK Associations (such as the permission to operate above 400ft with aircraft of less than 7Kg |
What sort of drone weighs more than 250KG?
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Originally Posted by TURIN
(Post 10606495)
What sort of drone weighs more than 250KG?
https://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/images/view;_ylt=AwrJ7KN2hLldCVwAqpKA3YlQ;_ylu=X3oDMTByMjB0aG5zBGNv bG8DYmYxBHBvcwMxBHZ0aWQDBHNlYwNzYw--?p=watchkeeper&back=https%3A%2F%2Fuk.search.yahoo.com%2Fsear ch%3Fp%3Dwatchkeeper%26ei%3DUTF-8%26_tsrc%3Dyfp-hrtab%26fp%3D1&no=1&fr=yfp-hrtab&h=640&w=960&imgurl=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk%2F government%2Fuploads%2Fsystem%2Fuploads%2Fimage_data%2Ffile% 2F22979%2FRJS_9539g.jpg&rurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.gov.uk%2Fgove rnment%2Fnews%2Farmy-cleared-to-fly-next-generation-eye-in-the-sky&size=394KB&name=Army+cleared+to+fly A new civil version the Watchkeeper X to be flown shortly. |
Originally Posted by TURIN
(Post 10606495)
What sort of drone weighs more than 250KG?
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So the minimum age is 18. Dear gods, I was flying a REAL Jet Provost before I was 18 having soloed a glider at aged 14. My 10 year old grandson will continue flying his electric powered model LONG before his 18th birthday, assisted, no doubt, by his 7 year old brother ! Do I expect a visit from the CAA enforcement branch, or the local plods ? They will get a very frosty reception ! "........and yet I hear some politicians want to give 16 year olds the vote, but aha, you cant yet fly a model aircraft until the age of 18 , BUT you can hold a ppl and solo a powered aeroplane at the age of 17 or a glider at 14. The logic of the loony bin. utterly beyond belief. I do wonder which muppet(s) dreamed up this nonsense. |
Originally Posted by RetiredBA/BY
(Post 10606592)
So the minimum age is 18. The minimum age for the operator (the person who has management of the UA) is 18. There is no minimum age for the remote pilot at the moment although there will be when the EU regulations kick in next July (12 solo, none if supervised by somebody over 16). |
Yes agreed, but still utter nonsense. As I read it youngsters below the age of 18 can’t go out flying on their own as they are then the “manager of the machine. |
From 'The register' ...
Solution to 250g drone weight limit is 249g dronehttps://www.theregister.co.uk/2019/1...onal_info_caa/ |
So basically the British lawmakers' train of thought is as follows:
Drones were flown at Gatwick by some hooligans who knew they were doing something illegal but still opted to do so. And therefore the best way to combat them is to make all OTHER operators of drones who were flying them responsibly and outside of airports to obtain a drone pilot's license and a registration for their drones. For the first time in my life since I was 11 months old, I'm speechless. |
Originally Posted by UltraFan
(Post 10608394)
So basically the British lawmakers' train of thought is as follows:
Drones were flown at Gatwick by some hooligans who knew they were doing something illegal but still opted to do so. And therefore the best way to combat them is to make all OTHER operators of drones who were flying them responsibly and outside of airports to obtain a drone pilot's license and a registration for their drones. For the first time in my life since I was 11 months old, I'm speechless. |
Unlike UK car tax (Vehicle Excise Duty) or MoT test, where the full 1 year period is given when bought, the CCA, in their wisdom, have seen fit and appropriate to penalise enthusiastic early applicants by making the renewal date 1 year from application rather than the more honest and sensible principle of giving a whole year from when the registration is required, ie 30th November. Not big sums, but an important point of principle; don't bite the hand that feeds you!
What a thoroughly stupid way to alienate the honest, decent, law-abiding UAS / UAV operators, in an ill-considered scheme which will only be complied with by the honest, law-abiding operators. It does nothing to catch those who are going to wilfully flout the law and operate illegally and dangerously. |
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