You might remember a while ago I bought a drone. Well from today, the UK has new drone laws. The drone register UK website is open so you can input your details, pass an online test and then continue to use it lawfully.
It’s no wonder that new laws have come into play when you think about it. Gatwick airport had it’s fair share of issues with drones a few months back. With the immense popularity of drones over recent years, the government were always going to find a way to make money out of it and if you want to continue to fly a drone between the weights of 250g – 2kg, you must register and pay this fee for a license.
I order to join the drone register UK you have to pass an exam. It’s a multiple choice test with 20 questions. You must get a mark of 16 or above in order to pass. I got 18 out of 20. Better than my A-levels!
I was then able to continue the registration process, clicking tick boxes to confirm I have read the literature and agree to the law. When you have completed the exam you are given a flyer ID which you must be able to produce when asked for it and an operator ID which must be labelled on all the drones you are responsible for. I have printed both out and put them in my drone case as well as put the operator ID on a label and stuck it to a flat surface on the drone where the battery connects. Obviously not hindering the battery.
The majority of pilots seem to have welcomed the drone register here in the UK. One quote reads “This is another measure to encourage responsible drone operation, which is desperately needed to ensure a collision between an aircraft and a drone is avoided.”
To try and soften the blow of these tests, the CAA are launching a drones reunited website. One in four owners claim to have lost a drone, either through malfunction or by crashing it somewhere they cannot get to. A CAA spokesman said the site would “give something back to the community, helping responsible drone owners and operators to be reunited with lost drones and continue flying”.
With the drone industry growing year on year, operators need to be responsible if they want to continue to use their gadgets. Similarly, there needs to be positive input from the CAA and the government instead of just slapping a tax on things. This reunited website could be a great tool for users who unfortunately lose their drones.
If you use a drone and haven’t yet signed up to the drone register UK, head to the website, pass the test and pay for fee. It’s easy to do, will take maybe 20 minutes if you pass the test first time and then you can label your gear and print out your identification numbers. You have until the end of November to do this you could be faced with fines of £1000.
thriftychap.com 