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UK Government Will Soon Require Drones To Be Registered

Gungho Cowboy

For airsoft players and hobby drone enthusiasts in the United Kingdom, they will have to check their drones if they fall within the criteria set out by the authorities. If they do, then they should register their drones at the Department of Transport Civil Aviation Authority and take a safety awareness test once the guidelines are out.

One of the main issues with regards to unregulated drone use is the rising incidents of near misses with drones near UK airports. Another is the result of safety research that drones could indeed damage the windscreens of helicopters. Either way, it is about the dangers that drones post when they are unregulated as they can cause accidents on the air and on the ground if they are not carefully flown.

Once the guidelines are out on registration and safety awareness test are out, owners of drones weighing 250 grams and over can register online or via apps. We don’t know if the apps are pertaining to the apps that drone manufacturers release for owners to download and install on their mobile devices to pilot the drones as well as configure their settings.

In a news post at Gov.uk, Aviation Minister Lord Callanan said:

The UK is at the forefront of an exciting and fast growing drones market and it is important we make the most of this emerging global sector.

Our measures prioritise protecting the public while maximising the full potential of drones. Increasingly, drones are proving vital for inspecting transport infrastructure for repair or aiding police and fire services in search and rescue operations, even helping to save lives.

But like all technology, drones too can be misused. By registering drones, introducing safety awareness tests to educate users we can reduce the inadvertent breaching of airspace restrictions to protect the public.

The government also intends to expand the geo-fencing technology so “no-fly-areas” such as airports, sensitive installations, prisons, and other government infrastructure are included in the geo-fencing features of the apps released by drone manufacturers. DJI, the leading company in hobby and commercial drones, already includes geo-fencing in its apps and constantly updates this.

Two years ago, the UK government released a Drone Code which is comprised of 6 principles for drone owners to keep in mind and follow:
always keep your drone in sight

  • always keep your drone in sight
  • stay below 400 feet (120 metres) to comply with the drone code
  • every time you fly your drone you must follow the manufacturer’s instructions
  • keep the right distance from people and property
  • you are responsible for each flight
  • stay well away from aircraft, airports and airfields

Airport operators welcome the plans of the government but indicate that for it to be effective, there should be enforcement and geo-fencing mandatory.  This will mean that drone manufacturers will all introduce this feature to all their drone piloting software whether these are in mobile apps or their own remote controls.

No definite date when the guidelines will be has been announced.

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