A UK drone registration scheme has opened[1] ahead of the deadline for owners to register their devices coming into force at the end of this month.
The UK government announced its intention to introduce a drone registration scheme two years ago[2].
The rules apply to drones or model aircraft weighting between 250g and 20kg.
Owners of drones wanting to fly the device themselves must also take and pass a theory test to gain a flyer ID by November 30. Anyone who wishes to fly a drone owned by someone else must also first obtain a flyer ID by passing the theory test.
UK ministers have come in for serious criticism for lagging on drone regulations in recent years after a spate of drone sightings at the country’s busiest airport grounded flights last December[3], disrupting thousands of travellers. In January[4] flights were also briefly halted at Heathrow airport after another unidentified drone sighting.
This fall the police investigation into the Gatwick drone shutdown found[5] that at least two drones had been involved. In September police also said they had been unable to identify any suspects — ruling out 96 people of interest.
Following the Gatwick disruption the government tightened existing laws[6] around drone flights near airports — extending a no-fly zone from 1km to 5km[7]. But a full drone bill, originally slated for introduction this year, has yet to take off.
As well as introducing a legal requirement for drone owners to register their craft via the Civil Aviation Authority’s website[8] by November 30, the new stop-gap rules require organizations that use drones to register for an operator...