Should Drone Pilots Be Regulated And Have To Pass Exams To Operate? — Omar Kaddouha
As of 30 November 2019, the answer to this question is yes for UK drone owners. Drone usage has seen a significant increase in the last few years. More people are investing in drones for recreational, professional and commercial purposes.
The aircraft has also become more affordable as manufacturing demands grow. Due to the popularity of drones, regulation has become necessary. The Civil Aviation Authority established new rules to ensure that any person who owns and operates an unmanned aircraft is responsible for it.
In this quick guide by Omar Kaddouha, you can find out more about the regulation and the test requirements for drone operators.
Drone Registration
As of 30 November 2019, the CAA required all unmanned aircraft and drones weighing between 250 g and 25 kg to be registered. If you are responsible for a drone, you must register for an Operator ID.
You have to apply the ID using a sticker on the aircraft. According to the regulations, this sticker must be visible without the need for a special tool to remove it or take apart the aircraft. Other rules state that the identification must be;
• Legible when the drone or aircraft is on the ground
• On the aircraft’s main body
• Safe from damage
• In clear and block letters taller than 3 mm
The CAA allows you to use the same Operator ID on multiple drones. Owner registration expires after a year and comes with an annual fee of £9. Drone registration has an age limit of 18 years. However, anyone underage can still own an unmanned aircraft, but a parent or other adult has to register on their behalf.
As its legal owner, it means that you are responsible for any damages by the aircraft, regardless of who was flying it. Note that you still need a pfCo (permission for Commercial Operation) to fly a drone or unmanned aircraft for commercial purposes.
Pilot Exam
Before flying a drone or unmanned aircraft in the UK, you need to pass a competency test. The CAA requires all pilots of model aircraft and drones to have a Flyer ID, which you receive after passing the exam. It offers this education package for free.
It contains 20 multiple-choice questions, and the pass mark is 16. The test covers The Drone and Model Aircraft Code. So, expect to cover the basics of flying like privacy, safety and various airspace requirements.
You can retake the exam as many times as necessary if you don’t pass. Flyer ID registration is available for people aged 13 and above. It expires every three years. After passing the online test, you get a confirmation, which you can produce when required.
Note that you can register for the Flyer ID even if you don’t own a drone. For example, a business that uses model aircraft for some operations can have all the equipment registered to the safety officer, but the different pilots will need individual IDs.
However, if you are a pfCO holder, then you don’t have to take the competency test. Flying an unregistered drone or unmanned aircraft or operating without Flyer ID is illegal, and you could pay a fine of up to £ 2,000.
Although the regulations are meant to improve safety, concerns still exist that bad actors might fail to abide by them. Some players in the industry believe that more restrictions are necessary. Drone owners and operators should keep checking for any regulatory changes.
