4 - Making Every Flight Safe - UK Civil Aviation Authority

8/4/2020 Making every flight safe | UK Civil Aviation Authority
BET This is a new service – your f eedback

(https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/896YB99) will help us to improve it.
F lying drones and model aircraft T he Drone and Model Aircraft Code
Making every flight safe (Points 8 to 15)
For flying drones and model aircraft of 20kg or less outdoors in the
T
From:
Published: Last updated:
October 2019
October 2019
Making every flight safe (Points 8 to 15)

What to do before flying, during a flight and after a flight.
8. Make sure you know what your drone or model aircraft

can and cannot do
Make sure you have read any instructions before you fly.
Key points to know are:
how far your drone or model aircraft can fly
how long your drone or model aircraft can fly before running low on power or fuel
whether your drone or model aircraft has a ‘return-to-home’ function that means
it can fly back to you if there is a problem
9. Make sure your drone or model aircraft is fit to fly

https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/making-every-flight- 1
Check fuel and battery levels

Take special care to check that fuel and battery levels will last through your flight.
This includes any extra fuel you might need in an emergency or for flying in difficult
weather, such as windy conditions.
Remember to check the battery power in the controller too.
Check any built-in software is up to date

The built-in software (called firmware) controls important navigation and flying
controls. Depending on the type of drone or model aircraft you have, this could
include:
the latest information on flight restriction zones and other airspace restrictions –
so that your drone knows to avoid them
how your drone uses its power
how your drone knows its position
how your drone lands if there’s a problem
Keeping this software up to date will also help to protect against cyber attacks.
Follow the instructions to update the built-in software (firmware). Always check that
the software has updated correctly before going flying.
10. Do not fly if the weather could affect your flight

Affecting your drone or model aircraft
Some of the things to look out for:
winds could blow your drone or model aircraft off course or make it difficult to fly
safely
wind on the ground is often very different to the wind at height
rain, snow and cold weather could all stop parts of your drone or model aircraft
from working
fog could mean you lose sight of your drone or model aircraft
glare from the sun could mean you lose sight of your drone or model aircraft
Affecting you
Some of the things to look out for:
cold or wet weather could affect your ability to control your drone or model
aircraft safely.
standing out in the sun could affect your ability to concentrate
Make sure your drone or model aircraft will work if the temperature is low
Follow the manufacturer’s guidance on the safe temperatures to fly at.
Also, some types of battery, such as lithium-ion batteries, do not last as long in cold
weather and this may reduce the amount of time you can fly.
11. Make sure you’re fit to fly

Do not drink and fly
Alcohol will seriously affect your judgement and ability.
As a general rule, you should apply the same limits as you would for driving a car.
Do not fly under the influence of drugs or medicine

Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking medicines that may affect
your ability to operate your drone or model aircraft safely. Do not fly if they advise
you that your ability to fly may be affected.
As a general rule, you should apply the same limits as you would for driving a car.
Do not fly if you’re tired or unwell

Your judgement and ability could be affected if you are tired or unwell.
12. Take action quickly and safely if the situation in the air
or on the ground changes
Always be ready to land your drone or model aircraft and wait until it is safe to fly
again. For example, if a group of people or animals turn up in the area where you
are flying.
You may need to adjust the height you’re flying at.
Never fly in areas where the emergency services are responding to an incident.
13. Report any dangerous incidents or near misses

If something dangerous happens while you’re flying your drone or model aircraft,
you must r eport the incident to the Civil Aviation Authority (opens in a new
window) (http://www.aviationreporting.eu/AviationReporting/).
If you crash or are forced to land somewhere that you can’t get to your drone or
model aircraft, you should tell the site owner. This is particularly important at
sensitive sites to avoid a security response.
If you see anybody using a drone or model aircraft in a suspicious or dangerous
way, tell the police or site security, such as airport security.
14. Do not use your drone or model aircraft to make money

or for any kind of payment
If you want to do this, you’ll need to get a permission from the Civil Aviation
Authority that allows you to conduct commercial operations.
15. If you fly your drone or model aircraft for recreation, you
can choose whether or not to have insurance
Insurance is optional if you’re flying for recreation. However, you should remember
that you’re responsible for your actions, which means you could be held personally
liable for any injury or damage you cause while you’re flying. This means you may
want to consider getting insurance to protect yourself.
If your flight is for any reason other than recreation, you do need insurance.
Previous
W here you can fly (Points 3 to 7)
Next
P rotecting people’s privacy (Points 16 to 21)
Related content
R egister and take the test to fly (/individual/register-and-take-test-to-fly) D
rone assist app (https://drones.nats.aero/page/app)
A irfield restrictions (https://dronesafe.uk/restrictions/)
Follow us on
2020 © Civil Aviation Authority

| | | T| | C|

4 - Making Every Flight Safe - UK Civil Aviation Authority

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

4 - Making Every Flight Safe - UK Civil Aviation Authority

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

4 - Making Every Flight Safe - UK Civil Aviation Authority

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

8/4/2020 Making every flight safe | UK Civil Aviation Authority

BET This is a new service – your f eedback

Making every flight safe (Points 8 to 15)

8. Make sure you know what your drone or model aircraft

9. Make sure your drone or model aircraft is fit to fly

Check fuel and battery levels

Check any built-in software is up to date

10. Do not fly if the weather could affect your flight

11. Make sure you’re fit to fly

Do not fly under the influence of drugs or medicine

Do not fly if you’re tired or unwell

13. Report any dangerous incidents or near misses

14. Do not use your drone or model aircraft to make money

2020 © Civil Aviation Authority

You might also like