Regulatory Matters

<p>The Science and Technology Parliamentary Select Committee will today publish their report into ‘commercial and recreational drone use in the UK'.</p> <p>The BMFA provided several written inputs to the Committee on behalf of the UK model flying associations and BMFA CEO Dave Phipps appeared before the committee on the 9^th July to provide oral evidence.</p> … Read More

EASA have now published documents outlining their Acceptable Means of Compliance (AMC) and Guidance Material (GM) in support of the EU regulations for unmanned aircraft. The documents can be found here: https://www.easa.europa.eu/document-library/agency-decisions/ed-decision-2019021r The AMC for Article 14 includes our suggested provision to permit registration numbers to be carried inside a model aircraft, which is consistent … 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>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>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

Following the recent changes to the Air Navigation Order (ANO) which introduced Flight Restriction Zones (FRZ) around protected Aerodromes (with effect from the 13th March), the CAA have now updated the PERMISSION for Association members to continue operating ‘conventional’ model aircraft (excluding multi-rotors) weighing less than 7Kg at heights exceeding 400ft.  The full text of … Read More

<p>Following the recent sudden announcement of Flight Restriction Zones around protected aerodromes capturing the operation of all unmanned aircraft of any weight and at any height (and the unreasonable three week notice period given for our clubs and members to comply), the CAA have dropped yet another bombshell on us with no prior warning.</p> <p>They … Read More

<p>** IMPORTANT UPDATE ** CAA PROPOSALS PLEASE READ &amp; SHARE **</p> <p>We would like to thank all members who have responded to the CAA consultation at <a href="https://consultations.caa.co.uk/finance/drone-registration/">https://consultations.caa.co.uk/finance/drone-registration/</a> and who have written to the Aviation Minister, CAA CEO and your local MPs’</p> <p>Yesterday (3/5/2019), the BMFA's CEO has been contacted and asked to attend a … Read More

<p>Representatives of the UK Model Flying Associations met with the CAA yesterday afternoon (29th May 2019).</p> <p>The meeting was constructive, but without any real breakthrough to report at this stage. </p> <p>The CAA were only able to discuss potential options within the restrictive policy framework dictated by the DfT.  One such option is the possibility of … Read More

<p>Representatives from the UK Model Flying Associations met with the Aviation Minister, Baroness Vere of Norbiton at the Department for Transport yesterday (Tuesday 5th June 2019).</p> <p>Whilst the meeting provided a good opportunity for both sides to clarify their position and understand each other’s priorities, there is little in the way of good news to … Read More