CAA Note on Drones from Airprox Report.

[Jumpy07]

This is a paragraph from a recent airprox report with a drone from the CAA.. thought it might be useful to get a statement from the horses mouth as to speak.. I thought it was quite a useful summary..

There are no specific ANO regulations limiting the maximum height for the operation of drones that weigh 7kg or less other than if flown using FPV (with a maximum weight of 3.5kg) when 1000ft is the maximum height.


Drones weighing between 7kg and 20kg are limited to 400ft unless in accordance with airspace requirements. Notwithstanding, there remains a requirement to 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.


CAP 722 gives guidance that, within the UK, visual line of sight (VLOS) operations are normally accepted to mean a maximum distance of 500m [1640ft] horizontally and 400ft [122m] vertically from the Remote Pilot. Neither are there any specific ANO regulations limiting the operation of drones in controlled airspace if they weigh 7kg or less other than if flown using FPV (with a maximum weight of 3.5kg) when they must not be flown in Class A, C, D or E, or in an ATZ during notified hours, without ATC permission.


Drones weighing between 7kg and 20kg must not be flown in Class A, C, D or E, or in an ATZ during notified hours, without ATC permission. CAP722 gives guidance that operators of drones of any weight must avoid and give way to manned aircraft at all times in controlled Airspace or ATZ. CAP722 gives further guidance that, in practical terms, drones of any mass could present a particular hazard when operating near an aerodrome or other landing site due to the presence of manned aircraft taking off and landing. Therefore, it strongly recommends that contact with the relevant ATS unit is made prior to conducting such a flight.


Notwithstanding the above, all drone operators are also required to observe ANO 2016 Article 94(2) which requires that the person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft may only fly the aircraft if reasonably satisfied that the flight can safely be made, and the ANO 2016 Article 241 requirement not to recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property. Allowing that the term 'endanger' might be open to interpretation, drones of any size that are operated in close proximity to airfield approach, pattern of traffic or departure lanes, or above 1000ft agl (i.e. beyond VLOS (visual line of sight) and FPV (first-person-view) heights), can be considered to have endangered any aircraft that come into proximity. In such circumstances, or if other specific regulations have not been complied with as appropriate above, the drone operator will be judged to have caused the Airprox by having flown their drone into conflict with the aircraft.


The  CAA website provides information and guidance associated with the operation of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UASs) and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and CAP722 (UAS Operations in UK Airspace) provides comprehensive guidance. Additionally, the CAA has published Drone Aware which states the responsibilities for flying unmanned aircraft. This includes: 'You are responsible for avoiding collisions with other people or objects - including aircraft. Do not fly your unmanned aircraft in any way that could endanger people or property. It is illegal to fly your unmanned aircraft over a congested area (streets, towns and cities). ..., stay well clear of airports and airfields'.

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[shawdreamer]

CAP 722 gives guidance that, within the UK, visual line of sight (VLOS) operations are normally accepted to mean a maximum distance of 500m

[whispers so CAA dont overhear]

can anyone actually visually see their frame at 500m without using binoculars or silly strong lights?, I can struggle too pick out my Large H-copter in a wide open sky at 300-400m ffs

[Jumpy07]

You would be lucky to see the orientation of a Phantom at 100m... even my S900';s I would struggle at 200m


The key part of this is being able to take avoiding action should a conflict take place with other air users..

[shawdreamer]

surely the only "avoiding action" you could take at that height would be to kill the throttle and let it drop because as you pointed out there';d be no way for you to tell your orientation at that height so no way of knowing how to instigate an avoidance move confidently other than the only axis you know you can be certain of which is up & down altitude.

rather than VLOS being excepted at 500m I think 500m should be the limit IF you have other means of which to visually control the crafts flight path....ergo onboard visual transmission (fpv gear) which kinda ironically makes the whole VLOS redundant

[Andy_R]

Do you actually need to *see* the orientation if you are flying in headless mode, if you can tell the orientation by looking at a camera feed, or by simply remembering which way it';s facing (I find I tend to not rotate my Typhoon H at all, 360 degree camera rotation means there';s no benefit to having the drone itself facing in any other direction than the way it was facing when it took off).