<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>
<p>The measures under consultation include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Proposals for regulating and mandating the use of ‘apps’ on which pilots would file flight plans ahead of take-off</li>
<li>Additional powers for the police to enforce the law</li>
<li>Using new counter-drone technology to protect public events and critical national infrastructure, and stop contraband reaching prisons</li>
<li>Introducing minimum age restrictions for drone owners in addition to the new tests they will need to take</li>
<li>Whether the 1km restriction around aerodromes, introduced as an amendment to the Air Navigation Order in May this year, is sufficient.</li>
</ul>
<p>The Draft Drone Bill is clearly aimed at 'Drones' but inevitably encompasses all unmanned aircraft.  There is a dedicated section relating to model flying which refers to the ongoing negotiations between the DfT/CAA and the BMFA, SAA, LMA &amp; FPVUK.</p>
<p>You can find a link to the consultation here <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/drone-legislation-use-restrictions-and-enforcement">https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/drone-legislation-use-restrictions-and-enforcement</a> and it will run until 17 September 2018.</p>
<p>This will provide all those 'keyboard warriors' within the membership an opportunity to channel their efforts in a useful direction, but we would strongly encourage all members to participate in this consultation.</p>
<p>For further guidance on how to respond to the consultation, please visit the more recent news article <strong><a href="https://www.bmfa.org/News/News-Page/ArticleID/2539/UK-Government-consultation-on-the-Future-of-Drones-in-the-UK-We-need-your-help-before-17th-September" target="_blank">HERE</a></strong></p>

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