Regulatory Matters

The CAA have recently launched a consultation on a review of the current regulations for unmanned aircraft systems along with the introduction of some new requirements including Remote I.D. The proposals include a simplification of the current Open Category requirements which would see the operational sub-categories re-named to ‘Over’, ‘Near’ and ‘Far’, in relation to … Read More

Members may recall that in early 2022 the Home Office undertook a consultation on amendments to the Poisons Act 1972, which controls the sale of certain explosives precursors and poisons – including nitromethane. See:https://bmfa.club/possible-amendments-to-poisons-act-1972-affects-users-of-fuel-containing-nitromethane-please-respond-to-the-consultation The BMFA attended a meeting with Home Office officials to oppose proposals which would negatively impact those members using high nitro … Read More

The BMFA has been issued with an updated Article 16 authorisation from the CAA which is valid from 22/12/2022 to 31/12/2023. You can download the updated authorisation from the link below https://rcc.bmfa.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/The-Society-of-Model-Aeronautical-Engineers-Ltd-UAS7068-Article-16-Authorisation-Issue-5-22122022.pdf

The CAA have launched a consultation on their Charges Scheme for 2023/24, with the proposed changes due to come into effect on the 1 April, 2023. The CAA proposals include a general 13.5% increase which would take the Operator Registration fee (currently £10) to £11.35.  However, they then apply a rounding up to the nearest … Read More

The exemptions from article 94F of the Air Navigation Order, (see https://rcc.bmfa.uk/ufaqs/article-94f-certain-small-unmanned-aircraft-requirement-for-acknowledgement-of-competency ) has been extended until 30th December 2020 when the CAA intend to introduce the new European UAS Regulations at which point the exemptions should be incorporated in to the specific permission that is being negotiated with the CAA for BMFA members and members of … Read More

The CAA have issued the latest general exemption which removes the requirement to register as an SUA operator directly with the CAA for members who joined or renew with the BMFA on or after 15th June 2020, for a period of 90 days. Members who wish to register with the CAA through the BMFA should … Read More

The CAA have today published an update to CAP1789, which details the EU regulations for unmanned aircraft.  Please see https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1789%20Edition3%20June2020.pdf . The regulations were due to come into effect on the 1 July, but due to disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic they will not now come into effect until 31 December. The important point … Read More

Since the CAA finally announced details of its Drone Registration and Education Scheme (DRES) last week we have published several explanatory notes both on the BMFA website and directly to members by email.  However, the flurry of correspondence and comments on various forums and groups suggests that there is still considerable misunderstanding of the scheme … Read More

<p>The CAA have launched their DRES system today (5^th November) to allow operators of unmanned aircraft to pass a competency test and register as operators. <a href="https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/">https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/</a> .</p> <p>They have also launched a scheme to return lost ‘drones’ to their registered owners (see <a href="https://www.caa.co.uk/News/Drones-Reunited/">https://www.caa.co.uk/News/Drones-Reunited/</a>).</p> <p>As has been widely discussed, with effect from the 30th … Read More

<p>Without any fanfare (or even notification through their usual channels) the CAA have now published CAP1804, their response to CAP1775 (the consultation on the charging proposal for the 'Drone Registration and Education System – DRES)'.  You can read the response here: <a href="https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1804_DRES_consultation_%20response.pdf">https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP1804_DRES_consultation_%20response.pdf</a></p>