The UK Civil Aviation Authority is proposing a major shake-up of how drones are operated, including tests for drone users and new product standards.

The UK CAA said the proposals were designed to make drone flights safer and to make it easier for users to understand and comply with regulations.

Proposed changes have been published in a significant consultation by the regulator that will allow the continued expansion of drone flying, while also increasing the safety and security of drone operations.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority’s proposals cover a range of areas, including proposed changes to drones themselves to be implemented by manufacturers.

Drone changes

They are based on initial feedback from the drone-flying community following an earlier call for input on many of the same subjects, as well as input from the Department for Transport, Home Office and Police.

Among the changes proposed are:

• Simplifying regulations by reducing complexity in operational requirements in the ‘Open’ category, renaming operational sub-categories to ‘over’, ‘near’ and ‘far’, and removing confusing exemptions for ‘toy’ drones
  Increasing education and understanding of regulations, by requiring flyers of drones under 250g to take the free online Flyer ID test, increasing the guidance and information digitally provided to users via their drone controllers and displays, and improving our guidance material
  Improving drone safety and security by implementing product standards for drones through a system of class-marking
  Enabling safe and secure airspace through the introduction of Remote ID, geo-awareness and geo-fencing functionality for certain categories of drones
  Supporting the drone sector by giving more time for UAS operators to adopt class-marked drones and implementing more flexible product assessment procedures for manufacturers
  Today’s consultation demonstrates the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s commitment to assisting all drone users to fly safely and responsibly and to enable the drone sector to continue to grow.

The consultation is open for eight weeks and will close on 10 January 2024.

Kevin Woolsey, co-head of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We want to make sure that the use of drones continues to safely expand and that regardless of whether people are flying for fun or commercially they understand the rules and regulations.

“These proposals will help make the UK’s drone regulations fit for today and for the future. We want them to be clear and accessible for users while making sure they deliver the levels of safety and security required.”Subscribe to the FINN weekly newsletter

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