Simon Dale - Firstpersonview.co.uk

Posted by cymaz on 24/07/2015 08:11:49: Interesting E.B. There could come a time that if there were enough commercial drone pilots who formed an association or proffessional body they could eclipse the bmfa by their professionalism. By the sounds of it, drone and UAV work done properly is skilled and more in depth than anything the bmfa could come up with. It seems creditable training schools have grasped the opportunity and offering high class tuition and training, whilst the bmfa is still talking and fussing around wondering what to do. Sounds like you're talking about http://arpas.uk/

Posted by Graham Back - Rclife.co.uk on 22/07/2015 12:25:03: A nice Idiot guide. I made this, and gifted it to the CAA (Those are my logos at the end). It seems to be going down well - it was on the BBC 6 o'clock news this week and we got it on ITV News a few weeks back. Its also embedded in many many websites, which is brilliant to see. We put the same information in paper form (this: http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1995/CAP%201202UAVsafetyrules.pdf) inside every aircraft sold.  Edited By Simon Dale - Firstpersonview.co.uk on 25/07/2015 10:33:11

Posted by PatMc on 25/07/2015 10:02:30: Posted by ken anderson. on 25/07/2015 07:53:53: just had this sent to me .. worth a look.   ken Anderson...ne...1.....drone dept. Do keep up, Ken. Posted by Chris Bott - Moderator on 22/07/2015 22:11:56: Here's another interesting site to help owners know where they should and shouldn't fly drones **LINK**   Pat...Keep Up dept. The owner of NoFlyDrones.co.uk know his stuff - he works at NATS. Edited By Simon Dale - Firstpersonview.co.uk on 25/07/2015 10:24:49

Www.caa.co.uk/droneaware is what we put in every box now. It's an easy to digest introduction to the rules.

Good point and well put. I totally agree. Thanks Rob

Understood. Thanks for clarifying. Good night Peter.

IE that applies to all SUA (under or over 7kg) whether flown fpv (under the terms of the fpv exemption) or flown traditionally. In other words 137 never applies to models. (As I understand it).

Thanks Peter. Just to be clear: 137 was not removed by the fpv exemption. Article 253 of the ANO itself states that 137 does not apply to SUA. Happy flying.

I've now read the first post of this thread now and it makes sense as to why people were making some of the comments they were! I wondered why someone asked me why I'd want to "go it alone" in reference to the association that has been running for over 5 years and has done so much with the CAA, etc. And I thought I'd stepped back in time when someone mentioned the BMFA buddy lead position! It all makes sense now!

As for the comments about BMFA and buddy leads, etc. please bear in mind that this thread is from 2009. In 2009 I formed FPV UK, with Walker Midgley insurance (thanks to help from this thread) and (after a year or so of hounding) successfully got the CAA to issue the first FPV exemption. Initially to only our members. And then the following year to everyone. In 2010, or possibly 2011, the BMFA joined us in asking the CAA to renew and extend the exemption further and since then BMFA and FPV UK members have both safely enjoyed FPV flying without a buddy lead (whilst following the terms of the exemption). Mission accomplished! As for why this thread has become alive again - someone dredged it up a few days ago by commenting on it.

As for why 137 is not mentioned please see article 253 of the ANO which says: Exceptions from application of provisions of the Order for certain classes of aircraft 253 (1) This article applies to: (a) any small balloon; (b) any kite weighing not more than two kg; (c) any small unmanned aircraft; and (d) any parachute including a parascending parachute. (2) Subject to paragraph (3), nothing in this Order applies to or in relation to an aircraft to which this article applies. (3) Articles 131, 138, 161, 163, 164, 165, 166, 167, 232 except 232(2)(a) and 255 apply to or in relation to an aircraft to which this article applies.

Please see the fpv exemption. This is linked to from both www.fpvuk.org/fpv-law and the BMFAs website.

Its an SUA (Small Unmanned Aircraft) in truth. Or an SUSA (Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft) if it has a camera.

Excellent. I'm very glad to hear it Merry Christmas to all.

Dave Hopkins; FPV UK is recognised by the CAA and sits on the Recreational Model Flying panel and attends all of it's meetings as well as the CAA's Commercial UAS Safety panel (which the BMFA has not attended to date but will do starting soon I believe). FPV UK was involved in the writing of CAP658 and will be involved in any changes to the ANO. Such as: FPV UK has been pushing for relaxation of the rules for very small model aircraft with cameras on. Something that the CAA agrees with and has said it will soon act to change. FPV UK was responsible for the FPV exemption being issued to the ANO in the first place. And subsequently has worked hand in hand with the BMFA to have the exemption renewed and expanded. FPV UK, BMFA and ARPAS worked together with the CAA on a safety video explaining the rules in an easy to understand format. FPV UK also attended a meeting with BALPA (the British Airline Pilots Association), ARPAS, BMFA, EuroUSC and Resource Group last week. FPV UK has opposed the proposals put forward by BALPA/ ARPAS (and also signed by the BMFA but I'm not sure on their position) last week which would require each model aircraft in the UK to be registered with a central body (possibly ARPAS) and licensing of model pilots (not a voluntary achievement scheme - licensing). FPV UK has successfully lobbied the manufacturer (DJI) and the biggest retailer and the biggest distributor in the UK to put a CAA safety leaflet in every quadcopter sold. And also to set a default 400ft altitude limit on every quadctoper sold. These measures, together with the built in geo-fencing that prevents any DJI Phantom flying near any airport in the world, should prevent any problems and safeguard the public and the hobby. FPV UK has also done high profile media interviews explaining the rules and regulations - such as this one "Flying a drone in the UK - what you need to know": http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/tv/flying-drone-uk-what-you-need-know-13078 I'm not really sure what this thread was originally about, or how we've ended up discussing this. I just replied to a comment about Quadcopters not being Models and we're on the merry go round again! Happy Christmas everyone!