Drones

Forwarded on behalf of Tom Hardie:

Hi All,



There has been a considerable increase in First Person View (FPV) unmanned aircraft (drone) flying. This is where the pilot of the drone is wearing a device so that they can see the view as if they were in the drone. Therefore they have an extremely limited view when it comes to avoiding other aircraft. These drones can be of a multi-copter or helicopter design, or fixed wing design, both powered and unpowered.



There have been a number of incidents where FPV drone flying has caused the pilots of other aircraft concern for their safety, everything from a 747 to a paraglider. To cater for this and to protect third parties on the ground the CAA has drawn up a set of rules for the drone pilots to follow. These rules are in CAA Official Record Series 4, Number 1108, http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=33&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=6746, copy attached.



If you become aware of FPV flying on or near where you are flying the best thing to do is to talk to the pilot to establish safe operating procedures, which it should be possible to do without over limiting anybody’s flying. Due to the readily available equipment, limited training facilities, and/or a lack of aviation law awareness they may not know about the CAA document.