Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what permissions and licences are required to operate drones for commercial or leisure use.

The safe operation of civil Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) in the UK is governed by the requirements of the Air Navigation Order 2009 (ANO). RPAS with an operating mass of more than 20 kg are subject to regulation as manned aircraft.

Those with an operating mass of 20kg or less (referred to as ‘small unmanned aircraft’) are exempt from the majority of the regulations that normally apply to manned aircraft. However, their use is specifically covered by two articles within the ANO, which legislate for the ‘general’ flying aspects and the flight of those equipped for surveillance (articles 166 and 167). Article 138 concerning ‘endangering the safety of any person or property’ also remains applicable.