The laws governing model flying were changed at the start of
2021. These completely replaced the existing laws and any
flight is now only legal if it complies with one of the categories
defined in this legislation.
More info and the BMFA competency test is available on their
sub-site for legal stuff: https://rcc.bmfa.uk/
How it affects us - short version
In practice the new rules make little difference to what we do
at the moment, due to the BMFA's Article 16 authorisation.
If you have a pre-2021 A/B certificate, you MUST go onto
the BMFA portal at https://bmfa.azolve.com/ and
tick the box to say you understand Article 16, and also
the box to allow the BMFA to share data with the CAA. Until
you do so it is illegal to fly.
If you have done the BMFA's rcc you instead, need to log
in to the same portal and tick just the box giving permission for
the BMFA to share your data with the CAA.
You need to display your operator ID on your planes, and (from
mid-2023) carry your Flyer ID with you somewhere.
The CAA now insist on reporting of incidents. The rules
already existed but were not widely followed. Any injury,
serious incident (=high risk of injury occurring) or other
occurrence (=anything dodgy) which involved flight above 400ft,
within 50m of uninvolved people, or a model that flew out of line
of sight must now be reported.
The BMFA has a page with more details of what needs to be
reporting and an online tool which asks a few questions and will
lead you through any necessary reporting. Their page is here:
https://rcc.bmfa.uk/reporting
Models can fly above 400ft if they are under 7.5kg and not
multi-rotors. Pickeridge however will be limited to 400ft due
to the proximity of Denham aerodrome.
Details - The legal framework
To be legal in 2021 a flight must fall into one of 3
categories:
Open - this is the version open to anyone to rock up
and fly. This has restrictions on the combination of model
size/weight and proximity to people and built-up areas.
However it is very restrictive except for VERY small models (under
250g); and any recreation area such as parks or beaches is
restricted even if deserted. We are not (in general) using
this. Much information on the web for drone flyers may be
describing this category and is not applicable to us.
Specific - this is the category for flying with custom
permission from the CAA. The "Article 16 authorisation" is
our permission to fly in this category. Our flying is all
under this authorisation.
Certified - this covers very large/complex operations
and is subject effectively to the same rules as full-size
aviation. This category does not apply to us.
Article 16 Authorisation
This is the permission under which we fly, and allows flying not
directly available to non-BMFA members. This covers all
flying at club sites. You can also use this authorisation
elsewhere, but should check the rules if flying in "built-up"
areas, including all sports fields and parks.
If you want the details, there is an excellent guide to
Authorisation on the BMFA rcc website: https://rcc.bmfa.uk/article-16.
This same text was in the Jan 2021 BMFA News.
Note that this permission is only available to current
BMFA members. So if a lapsed member flies it is no longer
just an insurance question - the flight is now outright illegal
(unless it fits the Open category, which is unlikely)
What has changed since 2019
If flying within the authorisation, not much.
The weight limits have increased to 7.5kg (some restrictions
apply, such as 400' limit) and 25kg (can only fly under the LMA
scheme) - but these weights now include fuel.
We cannot fly within 30m (diagonally, not horizontally) of any
"uninvolved" person. The distance varies in some cases, but
for flying at our sites, assume 30m. An uninvolved person is
someone who has not been given any safety info by a club member -
basically random strangers who wander in. Club members and
guests do not count. If a stranger does wander in,
once someone has explained where they can stand, and any risks,
they are "involved" and the 30m no longer applies.
There is a minimum age of 10 to fly without close
supervision. And 14 years to be the supervising
instructor.
It is a condition of the authorisation (and therefore a legal
requirement) to comply with BMFA and club rules.
You also need 2 IDs...
IDs and what you need to have with you when
flying
Operator ID: all models must carry the operator
ID of the legal operator. This is NOT (necessarily) the
pilot. Think of it as similar to the "registered keeper" of a
car. The operator is responsible for the maintenance and only
allowing legal pilots to fly it. This ID is obtained by
paying the CAA £10 - which is usually done via the club and
BMFA. No test of any kind is required (and a non-flying
parent can do this on behalf of under 18s) 2021 operator IDs
were different from the 2020 ones, but won't change
thereafter. Don't confuse this with a "Flyer ID" from the CAA
which is different - see below.
Proof of competence / Flyer
ID: all pilots, flying solo, must have with them "proof of
competence". Starting from mid-2023 everyone will be issued a
"Flyer ID" to confirm they have one of these. This can be any
ONE of the following:
- BMFA membership with an A/B certificate from 2020 or earlier;
only valid for current BMFA members (and you must have ticked the
article 16 box on the membership portal, as above)
- A BMFA rcc test pass (their online legal test). This
will also appear on your card ONLY IF you upload the cert to the
BMFA portal after passing it. Note the rcc may need to be
repeated every 3-5 years.
- the CAA's "DMARES" online legal test. This is not
recommended as it is very drone focused, so you would need to learn
a load of irrelevant stuff.
Student pilots under "close supervision" are not legally pilots
- the instructor is the pilot - and so don't require a proof of
competence or a Flyer ID. "Close supervision" means the
instructor is stood right beside them at all times. If flying
their own model, they probably will have their own operator ID on
the model, however. Students need to do the BMFA rcc test
before flying under looser supervision.
From mid-2030you will be issued with a Flyer ID if you have any
of the 3 items listed above. Flyer IDs were originally only
issued for the DMARES test, but the CAA is starting to issue them
to everyone. You should have the Flyer ID with you when
flying, but it does not need to be on the model.
