CAA sets out guidelines on unmanned aircraft

7th April 2010 - 10:35 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today issued updated guidance on the use of unmanned aircraft, following recent legislative changes.

The advice includes the new regulations affecting small, unmanned aircraft used for surveillance work.

Small, unmanned aircraft are increasingly being used for commercial aerial work such as surveillance and data gathering, as well as aerial photography and survey work. These new activities could bring unmanned aircraft into much closer proximity to built up areas and large groups of people. Unlike manned aircraft, or even model aircraft used for recreational purposes, there have been few established guidelines for operators, some of whom may not be aware of the potential hazards involved.

Therefore, operators of unmanned aircraft weighing less than 7 kg and undertaking aerial work, now require permission from the CAA. Unmanned aircraft being used within 150 metres of a congested area, or 50m of a person or vehicle, also now have to be authorised by the CAA. The new rules are intended to ensure public safety by applying appropriate operational constraints.

Expanded guidance regarding the reporting of incidents and occurrences involving the use of unmanned aircraft is also included in the revised CAA publication. Such reporting is viewed as being a vital element in the successful development of the emerging civilian unmanned aircraft industry.

A copy of the document, CAP 722: Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace - Guidance, is available at: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722.pdf

Source: UK Civil Aviation Authority