Regulatory Matters

<p>We have this morning registered our concern with Martin Rolfe, the CEO of NATS regarding the comments made by their representative at the Select Committee evidence hearing which took place on the 26th June, where 'drone' operators were categorised as either 'clueless, careless or criminal'.</p> <p>We have received assurances that NATS would never categorise operators … Read More

<p>BMFA members have been expressing their deep concern and criticism of the BBC Two documentary, ‘Britain’s Next Air Disaster? Drones?’, which sensationalised the potential risks from ‘drones’ and grossly mis-represented the entirely safe activities routinely undertaken by thousands of lawful ‘drone’ operators.</p> <p>The BMFA and other UK Associations acknowledge that unlawful operation of unmanned aircraft … Read More

<p>The <strong><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/science">Science and Technology Committee</a></strong> holds its third evidence session on its <em>Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK</em> inquiry on Tuesday 9th July. </p> <p>Watch it online at <strong><a href="http://parliamentlive.tv/Commons">Parliament TV</a></strong>.</p> <p><strong>Witnesses:</strong></p> <p><strong>At 9.30 am</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Gemma Alcock, Founder, SkyBound Rescuer</strong></li> <li><strong>Professor David Dunn, International Politics, University of Birmingham</strong></li> <li><strong>David Phipps, Chief Executive, … Read More

<p><a name="_Hlk1646043"></a><strong>DfT publishes amendments to the Air Navigation Order.</strong></p> <p>The Department for Transport (DfT) yesterday published further amendments to the Air Navigation Order which impact on all users of Small Unmanned Aircraft, including the model flying community.  <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-drone-safety-partnership-with-business-launched-as-government-sets-out-plans-to-limit-drone-misuse">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-drone-safety-partnership-with-business-launched-as-government-sets-out-plans-to-limit-drone-misuse</a></p> <p>Further details of the amendments can be found in CAP1763 (as the CAA have the unenviable … Read More

<p>All Party Parliamentary Group has supported the BMFA, announcing that the new set of regulations intended to tighten rules on drone operators is in danger of having a disproportionately negative effect on the model flying community.</p> <p> </p> <p>See the link below for the press release from the APPG</p> <p><a href="http://www.generalaviationappg.uk/new-drones-law-punishes-british-model-flying-community/" target="_blank">http://www.generalaviationappg.uk/new-drones-law-punishes-british-model-flying-community/</a></p> <p> </p>

<p>The CAA have today issued an exemption to permit control line model aircraft flight within the Flight Restriction Zones that come in to force on 13th March 2019 without seeking permission from the ATC unit or aerodrome operator.</p> <p>The exemption is available to download from the link below.</p> <p><a href="http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/1296.pdf" target="_blank">http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/1296.pdf</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Another example of … Read More

Following the changes to the Air Navigation Order (ANO) which came into effect today, we have received a number of queries from members and clubs regarding the status of the existing CAA Permission to operate model aircraft (not including multi-rotors) of less than 7Kg above 400ft (and also the FPV Exemption) issued last year for … Read More

<p>The latest meeting between the Department for Transport (DfT), Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and representatives from the UK Model Flying Associations took place this afternoon (Friday 15th June) at the DfT offices in London.<br /><br />The most urgent matter to address was the recent change to the Air Navigation Order (ANO) which introduced (in Article 94A) a … Read More

<p>The recent 2018 amendments to the Air Navigation Order will come into effect on the 30th July, making it illegal to operate any unmanned aircraft (including model aircraft) above 400ft.<br /> <br /> The UK model flying associations (BMFA, SAA, LMA &amp; FPVUK) have been working in close collaboration in ongoing negotiations with the Department for … Read More

<p>The Government has today published their consultation ‘Taking Flight: The Future of Drones in the UK’. The measures in the consultation are part of the Governments wider drones programme and strategy, and will help shape the content of a draft Drones Bill which will be published later this year, as well as other future measures. </p> … Read More