The latest regulations - do not despair!

[electrotor]

There can be very few model flyers who are not aware that the regulations concerning their activities have been subject to a great deal of debate and flux in the past few years. In order to bring people up to date I thought a new post might be appropriate.

The CAA has expanded CAP 722 into a series of seven parts :

CAP 722   -  Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace - Guidance
CAP 722A – ConOPS and Risk Assessment Methodology
CAP 722B - The Recognised Assessment Entity
CAP 722C – UAS Airspace Restrictions Guidance and Policy
CAP 722D – UAS Master Glossary and Abbreviations
CAP 722E – UAS Rotary Wing Swarm Operations - Visual Line of Sight – Requirements, Guidance and Policy
CAP 722F - Unmanned Aircraft System Operations – Model Aircraft Operations Policy and Guidance

The last one (722F) is the one which concerns us most. It was published in August 2021 and replaces CAP 658 "Model Aircraft: A Guide to Safe Flying" which was our main reference document but was withdrawn on 7 January 2021. The other CAP 722 documents are perhaps worth a cursory glance but might get a bit heavy for most model flyers. 722D however, might help clarify some of the terminology used.

I note with interest that 722F defines a model aircraft, with a nod to drones. Sadly the CAA and others continue to use the "D" word but fail to offer any definition. This despite 722D "UAS Master Glossary and Abbreviations"
"Model aircraft – An unmanned aircraft used for sporting and recreational purposes, flown by direct control inputs made by the remote pilot without any autonomous capability other than for flight stabilisation purposes.
Note:
The definition of a model aircraft may include multi-rotor type 'drones'. Any unmanned aircraft being flown in accordance with the definition above is considered a model aircraft. The use of any automation, such as automatic flight modes which alter the position of the aircraft, places the operation outside the definition of a model aircraft, and therefore outside the scope of Article 16. The aircraft must be flown with direct control inputs from the remote pilot.
It is acknowledged that many unmanned aircraft have built in failsafe modes, which may be activated in some instances, for example- loss of control link. Activation of such a mode, although possibly automatic in nature, does not necessarily place the aircraft outside the scope of the definition of a model aircraft."

In addition to the above there is also Article 16 Authorisation. This is an agreement between the CAA & recognised model flying associations. In effect is provides exemptions and privileges for members of these model flying associations in recognition of their efforts to further the cause of safe model flying. If you are not a member of any of them then you cannot legally fly in accordance with Article 16 and therefore will not enjoy these exemptions and privileges.

Here are the links :

CAP 722    https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722%20Edition8(p).pdf
CAP 722A  https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722A-UASOSC.pdf
CAP 722B  https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722B(E2)-20191204.pdf
CAP 722C  https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722C%20UAS%20Airspace%20Restrictions%20Guidance%20and%20Policy.pdf
CAP 722D  https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722D%20Unmanned%20Aircraft%20System%20Operations%20in%20UK%20Airspace%20Master%20Glossary%20and%20Abbreviations.pdf
CAP 722E  https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722E.pdf
CAP 722F  https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP722F%20Edition%201%2011Aug2021.pdf

Article 16    https://www.fpvuk.org/files/20201215-UKMFA-UAS-7068-Article-16-Authorisation.pdf

[FPVSteve]

Any chance of the spotter requirement being removed?

[Coyote]

Any chance of the spotter requirement being removed?

Dare to dream ! ! ! ! :)

[electrotor]

I have put a link below to a useful list of unmanned aircraft regulations should you wish to remind yourselves or indeed discover for the first time what you should and should not be doing.
Note that it does not include the exemptions we benefit from as members of the BMFA
For club flyers, continue to fly as you have been doing for years. As previously stated the only significant difference for most is the requirement to register with the CAA and display this on your model. As you will probably remember this was introduced as little more than a knee jerk reaction to the wrongly perceived dangers in one of the safest sports you can enjoy. Sadly the powers that be still do not recognise that the various safety awards from the model flying associations actually involve demonstrating that you can fly safely as opposed to an online multiple choice questionnaire which my cat could pass after only a few attempts.


publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?catid=1&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=list&type=sercat&id=85&filter=2&reorder=dateOrder