Drones

If your drone weighs less than 20 kilograms and you’re flying within visual line of sight outside restricted airspace (avoiding Flight Restriction Zones), you do not need permission or air traffic control authorisation.

Information about Flight Restriction Zones (FRZs), including interactive maps highlighting UAS restriction zones, can be found on the AIS website.

Any questions related to NSF operations should be sent via the contact us form on the new website https://nsf.nats.aero/.

Please allow up to 14 days for your flight authorisation to come through although, if the airspace area in which you wish to fly is especially sensitive, your application process may take longer.

If you are a commercial drone operator, flying your drone as part of your work or for commercial gain, you must hold a Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) qualification, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

If you want to fly your drone inside any aerodrome Flight Restriction Zone (FRZ), or your preferred flight plan includes flying through any part of an FRZ, you are required by law to seek and obtain air traffic control permission in advance. This can be done by filing an application on https://nsf.nats.aero.

For more information about drone registration visit the drones section on the CAA website.

Yes, the law requires anyone flying or operating a drone in the UK to register as a drone user. You can find out more about the rules on the CAA website.

All drone pilots are responsible for their aircraft at all times and it’s important that everyone flies safely and responsibly.

You can find out more by viewing our free online training course for hobbyist drone operators.

Yes, the law requires anyone using or operating a drone to register as a user, even if the drone they’re flying is owned by someone else. You can find out more about the rules on the CAA website.

To qualify as a commercial drone pilot, you must hold a Permission for Commercial Operations issued by the CAA. Find out more by visiting the CAA’s drone information pages.

In addition, the CAA also publish a list of commercial drone pilot trainers.

If you see a drone being flown illegally, you should immediately report the incident to the police by telephoning 101.

If you are a drone user or otherwise connected with the aviation industry, you can report your concerns via the CHIRP website by clicking on the CHIRP online confidential reporting tab.

If you witness a dangerous or potentially unsafe drone-related incident, you should report the circumstances to the CAA.

You can do this online using its Occurrence Reporting system.

Anyone witnessing a dangerous or potentially unsafe airspace event should report the incident to the Civil Aviation Authority and/or to the police by telephoning 101; if you are directly involved in the incident as an aviation professional you should use the Mandatory Occurrence Reporting (MOR) system on the CAA website.

If, as an aviation professional, a member of the drone community, or a drone pilot, you are concerned that a drone is being flown irresponsibly, intrusively, dangerously or in manner that may have an impact on airspace safety, you can report your concerns via the CAA-sponsored CHIRP confidential reporting programme, which is accessible via the CHIRP website.

The NATS AIS website contains information about where it is and isn’t safe to fly your drone in your local area.  If you want to fly your drone inside any Flight Restriction Zone, or if your preferred flight plan includes flying through any part of an FRZ, you will need to obtain air traffic control permission in advance by submitting a non-standard flight application at https://nsf.nats.aero

The NATS AIS website contains information about where it is and isn’t safe to fly your drone in your local area.  If you want to fly your drone inside any Flight Restriction Zone, or if your preferred flight plan includes flying through any part of an FRZ, you will need to obtain air traffic control permission in advance by submitting a non-standard flight application at https://nsf.nats.aero.

If you see a drone being flown illegally, you should immediately report the incident to the police by telephoning 101.

Visit the CAA website to learn more about reporting the misuse of drones.