Drones at 皇家华人

29 April 2021

If you want to fly a drone or model aircraft, you must be registered with the CAA and pass a theory test. You can then apply to UCL Estates to fly a drone from or over UCL property.

For up-to-date information about drones and unmanned aircraft, see the dedicated webpage.

On 31 December 2020 the regulations regarding Drones, Flights and Operations were updated. The updated regulations are based around flight risk and the type and size of the drone.听In simple terms, the higher the risk involved in a drone flight, the more restrictions and limitations apply.

CAA registration

You must be registered with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) before flying any drones fitted with a camera regardless of size and weight.听There are two requirements and you may need to meet both:

Operator ID: The legal owner of the individual drone has to be registered and an ID tag must be displayed on the drone
Flyer ID: This is required for persons flying the drone, not necessarily the owner. Drone flyers or operators of drones are required to register and undertake competency testing

More details regarding registration can be found on the website.

Drone flight categories

Drone flights (or "Unmanned Aircraft Systems") are classed into Categories according to the level of risk they pose to the public and other airspace users. The Categories dictate where drones of a certain weight and type can fly, and how close they can fly to uninvolved people, crowds and built-up areas.

At 皇家华人听drone flights that fall into the "Specific" category are permitted.

Open: UAS Operations which present low risk to third parties 鈥� further split into 3 subcategories: A1, A2 and A3 (mainly hobbyist/recreational use and some commercial use)
Specific: UAS Operations which are more complex or which fall outside the Open Category (mainly commercial use and flights operating under a model flying club authorisation)
Certified: UAS Operations which are very complex, and which present the same high risk as 鈥榤anned鈥� aviation

You can find more information on drone categories on the .

Mandatory requirements when using drones

Authorisation to fly over 皇家华人ill be given provided the following conditions are met:

The drone operator must obtain registration with the CAA听and will need to obtain an听Operator ID听补苍诲听Flying ID听in order to fly on UCL Estate
All flights on UCL Estate will be conducted under the听''Specific''听category requiring permission from the CAA to permit flights in congested areas
The drone operator has suitable and specific听insurance policy听- generally a minimum of 拢1m Third Party cover in place for the period of the flight(s)
Evidence of safety arrangements such as risk assessment/method statement听(搁础惭厂).听This is to identify听sufficient听safety measures are in place听- to ensure that drone operations will not endanger people, property or aircraft听

Drone Authorisation Form

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皇家华人