In the United Kingdom, drones – recreational ones – have started becoming a nuisance. All over the different cities, people report Peeping Toms using drones to spy. Privacy is becoming a problem to maintain and protect. Drones are also causing disturbances in firefighting. These flying devices roam around busy areas, and aerial vehicles like helicopters cannot get close. This leads to delays in both reconnaissance and the actual fire dousing itself.
But perhaps a rec drone’s most egregious act involve airports and air spaces. Over the past few years, the number of near-collisions involving drones and passenger planes have skyrocketed. These incidents strike fear among those onboard, as well as on areas below them. Truly, a direct hit with a drone can cause a plane crash within seconds.
UK Drone Regulations:
That is why regulations are there. To help create a safer flying experience for drones, while keeping everyone else safe as well. Rules have been set, some revised. But starting this month, the United Kingdom officially starts implementing the regulations. Violations of these said laws can mount to fines, or even imprisonment.
These regulations that all recreational drone owners must abide include:
- Drones must never fly above 400 feet. This is to prevent accidents involving aircrafts.
- To avoid airport incidences, drones cannot fly within 1 kilometer of one.
- Keeping a line of sight the entire time the drone is in the air is necessary. This is to prevent owners from blindly navigating them should they lose them in flight.
- Drones cannot fly above crowded places. A 150 feet distance must be observed from the nearest populated area (at least 1000 people).
- To avoid incidences of spying and Peeping Toms, drones cannot fly within 150 feet of private residences and buildings. That is if your drone has a camera on it.
- Drones that weigh over 250 grams must have registration with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) before flying.
One must follow all these, as well as other locally enforced drone regulations. Failure to abide would result in tiered fines, or even confiscation of the drone itself. For more serious offenses, the owner may even face jail time of up to over a year.
Stay safe out there, people! And make sure to follow the rules so that everyone is safe as well!
