- The best drones: Top rated quadcopters to buy, whatever your budget
What are recreational drones?
Drones are also called UAS or quadcopters Recreational drones are for fun, not work Recreational drones can have built-in cameras
Best drones: Top rated quadcopters to buy, whatever your budget
What are the rules and regulations?
- UK flyers are required to take a free theory test UK owners need to register as an operator and pay a £9 annual fee UK Drones with cameras and any drone over 250g needs to display the Operator ID You can’t fly drones near airports in the US and UK Drones shouldn’t fly higher than 400 feet in the US and UK You are responsible for flying your drone in a safe manner
UK: Rules and regulations
Don’t fly near airports or airfields Remember to stay below 400 feet (120 metres) Observe your drone at all times - stay 150 feet (50 metres) away from people and property Never fly near aircraft Enjoy responsibly
Always keep your drone within your line of sight and at a maximum height of 400 feet (120 metres). Always make sure your drone is within 500 metres from you horizontally. Always fly your drone away from aircraft, helicopters, airports and airfields. New laws introduced on October 2019 restricts all drones from flying above 400 feet and within 5km of airport boundaries. Camera drones must be flown at last 50 metres away from a person, vehicle, building, or structure not owned or controlled by the pilot unless they’re under 250g. Camera drones cannot fly within 150 metres of a congested area or large group of people, like a sporting event or a concert.
You are responsible for flying your drone in a safe manner. You must not endanger anyone, or anything with your drone, including any articles that you drop from it.
US: Rules and regulations
Fly at or below 400 feet Be aware of airspace requirements and restrictions Stay away from surrounding obstacles Keep your drone within sight Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports Never fly over groups of people Never fly over stadiums or sports events Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires Never fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol
Keep your drone in eyesight, and use an observer to assist if needed. Remain at least 25 feet from individuals and vulnerable property. Do not fly in adverse weather conditions (high winds, reduced visibility, etc). Do not fly near or over sensitive infrastructure or property (power stations, water treatment facilities, correctional facilities, heavily traveled roadways, government facilities, etc). Do not conduct surveillance or photograph persons in areas where there is an expectation of privacy without the individual’s permission.
Where can’t you fly your drone?
- Both US and UK National Parks don’t allow drones Many parts of London and congested areas ban drones Can’t fly drones near the White House or military bases
UK: No-fly zones
UK: Other restricted areas
US: No-fly zones
US: Other restricted areas
Launching, landing, or operating drones is prohibited on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service. More information about the National Park Service drone ban is available on the website, including information about the parks and their no-fly zones. Other prohibited areas include the White House, Camp David, as well as most military installations.
Before flying in Washington DC or other high-security areas, be sure to check with the secret service and/or a controlling agency first. But, more often than that, you will not be allowed. Just warning you. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration also prohibits drones in marine protection areas. It’s even illegal to fly your drone in or around a wildfire firefighting operation.
Lastly, flying drones is prohibited within a radius of three miles of a stadium or venue, but only starting one hour before and ending one hour after the scheduled time of the following events: MLB, NFL, NCAA Division One Football, NASCAR Sprint Cup, Indy Car, and Champ Series.
Do you need to register or get a permit?
- You need to register recreational drones in the UK You need to register recreational drones in the US You might need permission to fly in some areas across the US and UK UK amateur pilots might even need a commercial licence in some areas
