The CAA states an Operator ID "visible from the outside, or within a compartment that can easily be accessed without using a tool" so it can be in the battery compartment, just not on the battery.
Would be nice to get a similar video but targeted at the general public and kids so people know how to safely fly their new christmas toys. Maybe with a title like "Drones, planes and toy helicopters: Safe and fun flying under 250g". The A1 open category covers more than just camera drones, and flying models without a camera have very sensible rules these days: 1. Always keep the model in line of sight (a great idea anyway if you don't want to lose your new toy). 2. Always fly under 400' (safety rules for full scale aviation mean this limit is here for a good reason). 3. Never fly over people. It would also be worth mentioning that some local parks, councils and nature reserves do have restrictions on flying. There's no flying of powered models anywhere in the Peak District national park for example, but by and large if you have a model weighing under 250g and it doesn't have a camera the new rules are sensible and relaxed, and designed to let adults and children alike enjoy what can be a fascinating and fun hobby. And if you want to fly larger models, fly higher, or try your hand at something different, you can always talk to the BMFA and find a local club, or a local drone racing association.
Hi Ross, Chris here. I decided to focus this video on drones, as it is the subject I get asked about the most and see the most confusion over online, mainly due to drones such as the DJI Mini 2 that are targeted at being under 250g on the packaging and marketing. In regards to small model planes and helicopters under 250g, I think there is also less stigma attached to them, due to less negative media coverage, so someone flying say a small model in a local park is less likely to draw attention than anyone flying a drone. In terms of mentioning about flying restrictions for local parks and nature reserves, that is already in this video at 6:05, the section on not committing trespass. Regarding visual line of sight there is already a dedicated VLOS video here: th-cam.com/video/QTL0VsBkeWE/w-d-xo.html which covers maximum height and distance. There are then other videos on the channel regarding Article 16 for example. Sadly it is not possible to put everything in one video and not have it overwhelming for those watching. I am currently recording a 'Did you get a drone or model aircraft for Christmas?' video, that I hope to release soon with useful guidance for people. I would like ideas for other videos if you have them, as the more of these we do the more we can share the right information.
If I make my own drone from a collection of parts and it is under 250g is that still classed as a sub 250g from the CAA point of view? As I did read that modifying a drone can alter its status even if it is still under 250g.
Great video. Thank you I have a question as well that I can’t find an answer to. I been offered a job at a Real Estate Agency as photographer/videographer. I currently own a Dji Mini 3 pro drone. Do I need a licence to fly this drone to get videos of the properties? Thanks in advance
Hi Dan, no licence requried other than Operator ID, however you do need commerical liability insurance that meets meets EU regulation EC785/2004 requriements.
Need a follow up now for all the muppets flying heavier drones over people, without the appropriate permissions. And VLOS the amount of vid and photos on FB of people who flew above this weekends fog. Mind you as a well respected UAV operator has said, very few if any deaths caused by a UAV contrast that to escooters on pavements
Hi, New to drones and not flown mine yet! This might be a really silly question haha The rules state you cannot "take off" from private land, but can you take off from say you car roof or even hand within private land? 😊
Not on their land you can't no - You can overfly their land though. So if you stand outside their perimeter, you can control it from there and fly all over it without any problem (obviously with all the other provisos, must be within sight, not over crowds etc)
Excellent examples thank you. One question about beach flying. The Crown Estates have given drone flyers permission to take off between “high and low water” marks. Does this mean that other “ownership” is excluded from this zone?
Hello :) I just started my own small business which offer property photos and videos for uk real estate market (properties for sale and for rent). I would like buy mini 3 pro but because that will be paid service (commercial) then my question is do I need any drone licenses (I have flyer and operator id). Thanks for advices :)
Do we need to be a set distance away from any roads or a few meters away is fine? I read somewhere about 50m from a road but not sure if that applies to A1 category? What about houses too? Many thanks
On the early point of needing an Id because of a camera. I think the rules make a distinction between a camera for gathering images and a camera whose only purpose is for the control of the drone. Ie, I believe if this was an FPV drone where the camera with a monitor etc is used to fly it and there is no recording capability, then that camera would not trigger the need for an Id. Also, I think none of this applies for indoor flying.
Nick, apologies for not responding to you sooner. For the purposes of registration the rules do not make that distinction and if it is equipped with a camera registration is required unless it is considered to be a toy. There are some specific rules on what is a toy though.
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation thank you for you comment, but are you sure about that? The wording of s1.3 in CAP722 is: "The provision of images or other data solely for the use of controlling or monitoring the aircraft is not considered to be applicable to the meaning of ‘a sensor able to capture personal data’ in relation to the registration of UAS operators within Article 14 (5)(a) ii of the IR." That appears to say the opposite?
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation I have to agree with @Nick W on this. Your camera does not 'capture' personal data any more than a car's rear view mirror does. Additionally use would seem to be permitted as the camera is being used "solely for the use of controlling or monitoring the aircraft". And on a separate point this is a good example of regulatory creep. If I were to place a camera on model and place that model on a stick 400ft in the air and _record_ people in public then provided it was not for commercial use I would be exempt form the DPA / not have to register as a data controller. But if I do the same with a model which was in flight but _not_ recording anything then regulations may apply.
Great video ... its such a difficult area for a non-expert to understand. My employer has purchased a 850g drone with camera to video outside football training sessions on our own land. I think this attracts lots of other regulations? and is that classed as commercial use? I think it might have been better to purchase a sub 250g with camera and then once flyer ID and Operator ID is obtained and insurence then we would be good to go? There is a tow path that goes alongside the perimetre fence and some industrial units on another side but the flights would not go over either of those so I don't think we would need to consider the rules around 150 meters and 50 metres away from properties or 'non-involved' persons if it were sub 250g would we? thanks
Hi Onenoodles. We have a regular gettogether in our virtual pub, the Wobbly Gimbal, you would be welcome to join our next session where we can discuss your questions in person. See britishdroneflyers.org/events/wobbly-gimbal
So let's say that the X park is owned by the council and I cannot take off or land there, how about if I take off from another place and fly over the park?
Hey Chris! Thanks so much for the video it was really helpful! I had a question which I’m struggling to find the answer to online: If I have a drone (DJI Mini 2) Which is in the sub 250g category: are there any restrictions for commercial use like needing a BNUC-S. I’d be using it for weddings
Hi Josh, things have changes since the days of the BNUC-S and if you are flying in the open category with a sub 250gm drone you only need to have commercial insurance that meets the requiriements of EC785/2004.
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation ah awesome thanks so much for getting back to me! Okay as the venue is asking for quite a lot of things like BNUC-S and CAA Approval (SRG1320) Would I have much of a leg to stand on to go back to them with?
Your last point . Flying over Nat trust land . Can I fly from outside Nat trust land ( public land ) and fly over there air space with sub 250 drone ? There bylaws usually old and can be argue .. incase it go with a clivil matter .
Many thanks for taking the trouble to make this video. I don’t own a drone yet but will be getting one to compliment my photography hobby. Can you recommend a drone suitable for areal photography? Or would the answer be like someone asking me what make of camera is the best: Nikon,Cannon, Sony etc?
The CAA states an Operator ID "visible from the outside, or within a compartment that can easily be accessed without using a tool" so it can be in the battery compartment, just not on the battery.
Great stuff , one of the best explanations of these rules in this category,Thanks.
Do I need to take flyers I.d test to fly a sub 250g in the E.U now. I have registered it in Cyprus before holiday.
Would be nice to get a similar video but targeted at the general public and kids so people know how to safely fly their new christmas toys. Maybe with a title like "Drones, planes and toy helicopters: Safe and fun flying under 250g". The A1 open category covers more than just camera drones, and flying models without a camera have very sensible rules these days:
1. Always keep the model in line of sight (a great idea anyway if you don't want to lose your new toy).
2. Always fly under 400' (safety rules for full scale aviation mean this limit is here for a good reason).
3. Never fly over people.
It would also be worth mentioning that some local parks, councils and nature reserves do have restrictions on flying. There's no flying of powered models anywhere in the Peak District national park for example, but by and large if you have a model weighing under 250g and it doesn't have a camera the new rules are sensible and relaxed, and designed to let adults and children alike enjoy what can be a fascinating and fun hobby.
And if you want to fly larger models, fly higher, or try your hand at something different, you can always talk to the BMFA and find a local club, or a local drone racing association.
Hi Ross, Chris here. I decided to focus this video on drones, as it is the subject I get asked about the most and see the most confusion over online, mainly due to drones such as the DJI Mini 2 that are targeted at being under 250g on the packaging and marketing. In regards to small model planes and helicopters under 250g, I think there is also less stigma attached to them, due to less negative media coverage, so someone flying say a small model in a local park is less likely to draw attention than anyone flying a drone.
In terms of mentioning about flying restrictions for local parks and nature reserves, that is already in this video at 6:05, the section on not committing trespass.
Regarding visual line of sight there is already a dedicated VLOS video here: th-cam.com/video/QTL0VsBkeWE/w-d-xo.html which covers maximum height and distance. There are then other videos on the channel regarding Article 16 for example. Sadly it is not possible to put everything in one video and not have it overwhelming for those watching.
I am currently recording a 'Did you get a drone or model aircraft for Christmas?' video, that I hope to release soon with useful guidance for people.
I would like ideas for other videos if you have them, as the more of these we do the more we can share the right information.
If I make my own drone from a collection of parts and it is under 250g is that still classed as a sub 250g from the CAA point of view? As I did read that modifying a drone can alter its status even if it is still under 250g.
Yes, its still classed as sub 250g.
Great video. Thank you
I have a question as well that I can’t find an answer to. I been offered a job at a Real Estate Agency as photographer/videographer. I currently own a Dji Mini 3 pro drone. Do I need a licence to fly this drone to get videos of the properties? Thanks in advance
Hi Dan, no licence requried other than Operator ID, however you do need commerical liability insurance that meets meets EU regulation EC785/2004 requriements.
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation thank you very much for your reply 🙏
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation any idea is this does apply abroad as well?
@@danchiricuta4692 Our reply relates only to hr UK. You would need to check the requirements in the country where you are wanting to operate.
Need a follow up now for all the muppets flying heavier drones over people, without the appropriate permissions. And VLOS the amount of vid and photos on FB of people who flew above this weekends fog.
Mind you as a well respected UAV operator has said, very few if any deaths caused by a UAV contrast that to escooters on pavements
I am currently looking into getting a drone and this was really informative. Thanks for this.
⚔️💪😎🏴👍(stroke)
Hi,
New to drones and not flown mine yet!
This might be a really silly question haha
The rules state you cannot "take off" from private land, but can you take off from say you car roof or even hand within private land? 😊
Not on their land you can't no - You can overfly their land though. So if you stand outside their perimeter, you can control it from there and fly all over it without any problem (obviously with all the other provisos, must be within sight, not over crowds etc)
Im struggling with the crowds bit!
Excellent examples thank you. One question about beach flying. The Crown Estates have given drone flyers permission to take off between “high and low water” marks. Does this mean that other “ownership” is excluded from this zone?
Hello :) I just started my own small business which offer property photos and videos for uk real estate market (properties for sale and for rent). I would like buy mini 3 pro but because that will be paid service (commercial) then my question is do I need any drone licenses (I have flyer and operator id). Thanks for advices :)
Do we need to be a set distance away from any roads or a few meters away is fine? I read somewhere about 50m from a road but not sure if that applies to A1 category? What about houses too? Many thanks
On the early point of needing an Id because of a camera. I think the rules make a distinction between a camera for gathering images and a camera whose only purpose is for the control of the drone. Ie, I believe if this was an FPV drone where the camera with a monitor etc is used to fly it and there is no recording capability, then that camera would not trigger the need for an Id.
Also, I think none of this applies for indoor flying.
Nick, apologies for not responding to you sooner. For the purposes of registration the rules do not make that distinction and if it is equipped with a camera registration is required unless it is considered to be a toy. There are some specific rules on what is a toy though.
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation thank you for you comment, but are you sure about that? The wording of s1.3 in CAP722 is:
"The provision of images or other data solely for the use of controlling or monitoring the aircraft is not considered to be applicable to the meaning of ‘a sensor able to capture personal data’ in relation to the registration of UAS operators within Article 14 (5)(a) ii of the IR."
That appears to say the opposite?
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation I have to agree with @Nick W on this. Your camera does not 'capture' personal data any more than a car's rear view mirror does. Additionally use would seem to be permitted as the camera is being used "solely for the use of controlling or monitoring the aircraft".
And on a separate point this is a good example of regulatory creep. If I were to place a camera on model and place that model on a stick 400ft in the air and _record_ people in public then provided it was not for commercial use I would be exempt form the DPA / not have to register as a data controller. But if I do the same with a model which was in flight but _not_ recording anything then regulations may apply.
Thanks for the autoritative answers to my questions about sub250g drones. Very helpful.
Great video ... its such a difficult area for a non-expert to understand. My employer has purchased a 850g drone with camera to video outside football training sessions on our own land. I think this attracts lots of other regulations? and is that classed as commercial use? I think it might have been better to purchase a sub 250g with camera and then once flyer ID and Operator ID is obtained and insurence then we would be good to go? There is a tow path that goes alongside the perimetre fence and some industrial units on another side but the flights would not go over either of those so I don't think we would need to consider the rules around 150 meters and 50 metres away from properties or 'non-involved' persons if it were sub 250g would we? thanks
Hi Onenoodles. We have a regular gettogether in our virtual pub, the Wobbly Gimbal, you would be welcome to join our next session where we can discuss your questions in person. See britishdroneflyers.org/events/wobbly-gimbal
So let's say that the X park is owned by the council and I cannot take off or land there, how about if I take off from another place and fly over the park?
As long as you mantain visual line of site and are not endangering you should be ok with a sub 250gm drone.
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation alright, good to know ! Thank you
The trouble with the trespass thing is that the majority of the open to public spaces is still privately owned land.
I believe they own the land and not the airspace
Hey Chris! Thanks so much for the video it was really helpful!
I had a question which I’m struggling to find the answer to online: If I have a drone (DJI Mini 2) Which is in the sub 250g category: are there any restrictions for commercial use like needing a BNUC-S. I’d be using it for weddings
Hi Josh, things have changes since the days of the BNUC-S and if you are flying in the open category with a sub 250gm drone you only need to have commercial insurance that meets the requiriements of EC785/2004.
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation ah awesome thanks so much for getting back to me!
Okay as the venue is asking for quite a lot of things like BNUC-S and CAA Approval (SRG1320)
Would I have much of a leg to stand on to go back to them with?
Your last point . Flying over Nat trust land . Can I fly from outside Nat trust land ( public land ) and fly over there air space with sub 250 drone ? There bylaws usually old and can be argue .. incase it go with a clivil matter .
As long as you maintain visual line of sight and are at a height not to be nuisance.
@@BritishModelFlyingAssociation thank you for you answer .. I will do 🙏
Many thanks for taking the trouble to make this video. I don’t own a drone yet but will be getting one to compliment my photography hobby. Can you recommend a drone suitable for areal photography? Or would the answer be like someone asking me what make of camera is the best: Nikon,Cannon, Sony etc?
DJI mini 3 pro
@@TheSebiestor thanks, I’ll check it out
If I hand launch I’m not using your land to take off in using your land to stand on and that’s legal malarkey 😁
You are flying from their land if you are stood on it.