Drones and Regulations

Know your drone regulations, please see the following information below relased by Kent Police.

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DRONES and Regulations

For those of you who like to fly drones, I’d just like to make you aware that there are regulations that need to be complied with in order to prevent you getting in trouble.

The Ten Rules

The following 10 points have been copied from the CAA website for your information:

1/ Drones can and do present a very real hazard to manned aircraft, pilots (including military pilots) have reported over 50 near misses with drones last year alone.

2/ Drones (including model aircraft) are subject to the law through the Air Navigation Order.

3/ It is your responsibility to fly safely and within the law – if you don’t (and individuals have been) you could be prosecuted under the Civilian Aviation Authority (CAA) Air Navigation Order 2016, specifically Article 241 (endangering the safety of any person or property), Article 94 (small, unmanned aircraft) and Article 95 (small, unmanned surveillance aircraft).

4/ Never fly a drone near an airport/airfield or close to aircraft. It is a criminal offence to endanger the safety of aircraft in flight.

5/ Keep your drone in sight and below 400ft.

6/ Do not fly over congested areas and never fly within 50m of a person, vehicle or building not under your control.

7/ If you wish to use a drone for commercial purposes (get paid) then you need to have permission from the CAA.

8/ Ensure any images obtained do not break privacy laws.

9/ If your wish to buy a commercially available drone for commercial activities (photographs, multimedia, and surveys at height) it becomes regulated by the CAA and you must follow their rules.

10/ Finally, follow the Drone Code, have fun and fly safe.

Message Sent By
Richard Cousins
(Kent Police, PC, Medway Neighbourhood Beat Officer)