Author: BMFAAdministrator

<p>The <strong><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/science">Science and Technology Committee</a></strong> will hold its second evidence session on its <em>Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK</em> inquiry on Wednesday 26th June.</p> <p>Watch it online at <strong><a href="http://parliamentlive.tv/Commons">Parliament TV</a></strong>.</p> <p><strong>Witnesses:</strong></p> <p><strong>At 9.30 am</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Captain Tim Pottage, Chairman of RPAS (Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems) <br />     Working Group, British Airline Pilots … Read More

<p>The <strong><a href="http://www.parliament.uk/science">Science and Technology Committee</a></strong> holds its third evidence session on its <em>Commercial and recreational drone use in the UK</em> inquiry on Tuesday 9th July. </p> <p>Watch it online at <strong><a href="http://parliamentlive.tv/Commons">Parliament TV</a></strong>.</p> <p><strong>Witnesses:</strong></p> <p><strong>At 9.30 am</strong></p> <ul> <li><strong>Gemma Alcock, Founder, SkyBound Rescuer</strong></li> <li><strong>Professor David Dunn, International Politics, University of Birmingham</strong></li> <li><strong>David Phipps, Chief Executive, … Read More

<p>BMFA members have been expressing their deep concern and criticism of the BBC Two documentary, ‘Britain’s Next Air Disaster? Drones?’, which sensationalised the potential risks from ‘drones’ and grossly mis-represented the entirely safe activities routinely undertaken by thousands of lawful ‘drone’ operators.</p> <p>The BMFA and other UK Associations acknowledge that unlawful operation of unmanned aircraft … Read More

<p>We have this morning registered our concern with Martin Rolfe, the CEO of NATS regarding the comments made by their representative at the Select Committee evidence hearing which took place on the 26th June, where 'drone' operators were categorised as either 'clueless, careless or criminal'.</p> <p>We have received assurances that NATS would never categorise operators … Read More

<p>The latest drafts of the EASA regulations for unmanned aircraft were published recently by the European Commission and contain a significant and positive development for model flyers.  DG MOVE (the European Transport Commission) submitted a proposal to remove model flying conducted within Associations/Clubs from the EASA regulations and this seems to have gained acceptance.</p> <p>The … Read More

<p><a name="_Hlk1646043"></a><strong>DfT publishes amendments to the Air Navigation Order.</strong></p> <p>The Department for Transport (DfT) yesterday published further amendments to the Air Navigation Order which impact on all users of Small Unmanned Aircraft, including the model flying community.  <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-drone-safety-partnership-with-business-launched-as-government-sets-out-plans-to-limit-drone-misuse">https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-drone-safety-partnership-with-business-launched-as-government-sets-out-plans-to-limit-drone-misuse</a></p> <p>Further details of the amendments can be found in CAP1763 (as the CAA have the unenviable … Read More

<p>All Party Parliamentary Group has supported the BMFA, announcing that the new set of regulations intended to tighten rules on drone operators is in danger of having a disproportionately negative effect on the model flying community.</p> <p> </p> <p>See the link below for the press release from the APPG</p> <p><a href="http://www.generalaviationappg.uk/new-drones-law-punishes-british-model-flying-community/" target="_blank">http://www.generalaviationappg.uk/new-drones-law-punishes-british-model-flying-community/</a></p> <p> </p>

<p>The CAA have today issued an exemption to permit control line model aircraft flight within the Flight Restriction Zones that come in to force on 13th March 2019 without seeking permission from the ATC unit or aerodrome operator.</p> <p>The exemption is available to download from the link below.</p> <p><a href="http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/1296.pdf" target="_blank">http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/1296.pdf</a></p> <p> </p> <p>Another example of … Read More

Following the changes to the Air Navigation Order (ANO) which came into effect today, we have received a number of queries from members and clubs regarding the status of the existing CAA Permission to operate model aircraft (not including multi-rotors) of less than 7Kg above 400ft (and also the FPV Exemption) issued last year for … Read More