This apparently are the rules U.K have to follow
Drone Owners: Don't fall foul of the law - Read the current legislation here
There are an increasing number of people purchasing drones and conducting flights that breach the Air Navigation Order 2016.
Locally we have been educating those who have committed minor offences across our South Warwickshire Policing area. However, with the Drone Code in place since 2015 we are still finding an increasing number of people either failing to educate themselves or simply ignoring the laws.
Chief Pilot of the UAV team, Andy Steventon has said,
"Unfortunately within the growing hobbyist community of drone pilots a small proportion are tarnishing the public reputation of responsible pilots by their reckless and illegal actions.
The Warwickshire and West Mercia drone trial that we've conducted over the last 12 months has shown how these devices can be used to protect people from harm and greatly assisting with the prevention, investigation and detection of crime.
I would encourage anybody who has a drone to familiarise themselves with the laws put in place so that they can responsibly enjoy the hobby."
The Air Navigation Order 2016 came into Force on 25th August 2016. Below are a number of points for drone owners to read up on. Breaches of any of these areas may result in a criminal investigation.
The Air Navigation Order 2016
CHAPTER 1. Article 240.
Endangering safety of an aircraft
A person must not recklessly or negligently act in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft, or any person in an aircraft.
CHAPTER 1. Article 241.
Endangering safety of any person or property
A person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property.
CHAPTER 4. Article 94.
Small unmanned aircraft
(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 commercial operations except in accordance with a permission granted by the CAA.
CHAPTER 4. Article 95.
Small unmanned surveillance aircraft
95. (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.
First person view (FPV) allows the operator to get a bird's eye view from the drone itself as it relays live footage from the on-board camera to either a handheld screen or special goggles. FPV does not allow you to fly beyond your 'unaided' visual line of sight or that of your competent observer.
"Congested area" in relation to a city, town or settlement, means any area which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes.
"Small unmanned aircraft" means any unmanned aircraft, other than a balloon or a kite, having a mass of not more than 20kg without its fuel but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of its flight.
"A small unmanned surveillance aircraft" means a small unmanned aircraft which is equipped to undertake any form of surveillance or data acquisition.
"Direct unaided visual contact" means that the Remote Pilot is able to maintain direct, unaided (other than corrective lenses) visual contact with the Drone which is sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vessels, vehicles and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions. Within the UK this is normally accepted out to a maximum distance of 500 metres horizontally and 400 feet vertically from the Remote Pilot.
For full details of the Air Navigation order 2016 visit,
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/765/made
PC1681 Craig Purcell
Shipston Police Safer Neighbourhood Team
