CAA Operator Registration Renewal

[Dane Crosby]

I received a nice email today telling me I need to renew my Drone Operator registration by the start of November. I followed the link which takes one to the log in page. from there, the CAA send a login code which allows access to the registration data. I arrived at this page but was unable to find a way to proceed further to pay the £9 for another year. I just kept being sent back to the log-in page whence the CAA emailed me another log-in code; once again allowing me in to the system.

Three times I tried and failed. Has anyone else received an alert from the CAA for Operator Registration renewal? Did you manage to complete the transaction?

I have emailed the CAA help desk but I don't expect a reply soon.

[Brian Cooper]

So much for their much-vaunted, stupidly expensive, highly sophisticated computer system.

You've got to laugh, eh.

[john stones 1 - Moderator]

Will they track or trace it ? Don't hold yer breath.

[Dane Crosby]

Ah Well, I have just repaired my WotsWot after a very firm Atmosphere/Terrain Interface issue. I thought that I would obtain my new Operator number today as I will be flying on Saturday. I have now stuck my old number on to the machine but will no doubt have to peel it off and stick on a new one. This is due to information I have heard that the CAA may well change our operator numbers upon renewal. Ho Hum...............

[Dave Cunnington]

It's all character building you know

Stay well Rgds DC

[Ray Wood 4]

Hi All,

Now here's the thing ! I didn't start flying this year until June, having flown 9 times since then should the CAA consider giving us an extension on the operators licence period ? Or will folks just not bother to pay next year ??

Regards Ray (not sure)

[Andy Symons - BMFA]

Posted by Dane Crosby on 15/10/2020 20:50:13:

I thought that I would obtain my new Operator number today as I will be flying on Saturday. I have now stuck my old number on to the machine but will no doubt have to peel it off and stick on a new one. This is due to information I have heard that the CAA may well change our operator numbers upon renewal. Ho Hum...............

If you renew before 1st Jan your number will stay the same for 1 more year, if your renew after 1st Jan it will be in the new format which will then be permanent.

[Dane Crosby]

Many thanks Andy. My Registration expires on 05 November according to the CAA so I will have to register if I want to fly; which I do.

I will keep trying until I gain some success.

[Wilco Wingco]

There is one thing I have learned after 35 years in the computer industry. Any government run operation have absolutely no idea about how to specify, project manage, test or deliver a fully operational computer system.

[Andy Symons - BMFA]

Posted by Dane Crosby on 15/10/2020 22:12:36:

Many thanks Andy. My Registration expires on 05 November according to the CAA so I will have to register if I want to fly; which I do.

I will keep trying until I gain some success.

I would suggest waiting until nearer the time, let the flaws in their system get ironed out.

[cymaz]

Nothing from the CAA yet. Although if I change my number to OP-COVID19+ , do you think they’ll come anywhere near it?

[kevin b]

Posted by Wilco Wingco on 15/10/2020 22:20:39:

There is one thing I have learned after 35 years in the computer industry. Any government run operation have absolutely no idea about how to specify, project manage, test or deliver a fully operational computer system.

Or run a country properly.

[Andy Symons - BMFA]

Posted by Barrie Lever on 15/10/2020 22:34:14:

Posted by Andy Symons - BMFA on 15/10/2020 22:23:10:

Posted by Dane Crosby on 15/10/2020 22:12:36:

I would suggest waiting until nearer the time, let the flaws in their system get ironed out.

That is unusually optimistic for you Andy !!

I hold no hope of them ironing out flaws.

Regards

Barrie

I'm fairly certain they will resolve the technical issues.

There will be an option for those that registered directly through the CAA to renew through the BMFA at some point too, whether it will be ready in time for those that rushed to register early last November, against BMFA advice, we do not know yet, unlikely I would suggest. The earliest the registration for anyone who registered through the BMFA expires is Feb 17th 2021

[Peter Christy]

Andy beat me to it! I was about to mention the advantage of registering via the BMFA!

Also, if you register via the BMFA, it will be the BMFA who has to sort out issues like this with the CAA, not you, the individual!

Not good for the guys and gals in the office, but good for the members!

--

Pete

[Cliff 1959]

Worked ok for me. Try again.

[Nigel Dell]

Posted by Barrie Lever on 15/10/2020 22:34:14:

Posted by Andy Symons - BMFA on 15/10/2020 22:23:10:

Posted by Dane Crosby on 15/10/2020 22:12:36:

I would suggest waiting until nearer the time, let the flaws in their system get ironed out.

That is unusually optimistic for you Andy !!

I hold no hope of them ironing out flaws.

Regards

Barrie

👍🏻🙄😂

[Nigel R]

Posted by Wilco Wingco on 15/10/2020 22:20:39:

There is one thing I have learned after 35 years in the computer industry. Any government run operation have absolutely no idea about how to specify, project manage, test or deliver a fully operational computer system.

Indeed.

Usually, they don't know what they want, or need, or what it might look like when it is finished. So the starting set of specs is generally rubbish.

Then.

Every time a new minister turns up because the old one was caught doing something naughty, the specs change, because even though they'd like to do it like the previous minister did, they know better.

Every time the government gets voted out for the other lot, the specs change, because you couldn't do it how the other lot did it.

Of course, every change drives extra cost into a project. Many times over what it would cost to specify it properly in the first place.

And as time goes by, each change of spec costs more and more and more to change.

Imagine telling someone their fuselage is 2" too short, after the test flight. A bit awkward to fix. Of course if they've only just sketched out the three view in pencil, that's rather easier to fix. IT is no different. The more you've made, the more expensive it is to fiddle around.

Eventually, by the time its gone many times over the original timescale, the cost of changing the specs has far outstripped binning it and starting over.

Of course projects from government diktat are usually too big to fail and have to be completed or the government loses face.

I note most government efforts seem to follow a similar trajectory. I refer anyone slightly interested to the recent track/trace mobile phone app fiasco, where the government knew best, except they didn't, so the app then had to be rewritten practically from scratch to copy an existing model which had already worked for other countries, in exactly the way everyone except the government said it would need to!

Find me a military aviation project that didn't cost at least three times the original budget...

 

Edited By Nigel R on 16/10/2020 10:19:32

[Cuban8]

Having seen this thread this morning I thought I'd better get my act together and log on to the Go Membership site and reacquaint myself with all the fun before (virtual) AGM season, club membership renewals and BMFA membership payments.

Firstly, mine and the majority of our club's members' £9 CAAs that I processed with last years subs via the BMFA portal are due to expire on 21st February 2021, a few late joiners I put through mid season with corresponding CAA expiry dates later in 2021.

So I suppose for 2021, I'll leave CAA to the individual members to renew themselves as they'll need their BMFA as of 1st January.

Unless I've missed or misunderstood something?

[Andy Symons - BMFA]

Posted by Cuban8 on 16/10/2020 10:18:39:

Having seen this thread this morning I thought I'd better get my act together and log on to the Go Membership site and reacquaint myself with all the fun before (virtual) AGM season, club membership renewals and BMFA membership payments.

Firstly, mine and the majority of our club's members' £9 CAAs that I processed with last years subs via the BMFA portal are due to expire on 21st February 2021, a few late joiners I put through mid season with corresponding CAA expiry dates later in 2021.

So I suppose for 2021, I'll leave CAA to the individual members to renew themselves as they'll need their BMFA as of 1st January.

Unless I've missed or misunderstood something?

Might be worth watching this **LINK**

May be something useful there.

[Peter Christy]

Last year, as Chairman of a (very) small club, I suggested that our members do the CAA registration themselves via the BMFA portal. I also suggested this at the AGM of another club of which I am an ordinary member, and in both cases offered to help out anyone who needed assistance. I emailed everyone with the "Idiot's Guides" that were circulated at the time.

I did this to try and spare the respective committees from having to deal with the issues of late renewals, etc, which usually occur.

Despite each club having its fair share of technophobes, I didn't receive a single request for help! Everyone in both clubs managed to register via the BMFA without a single issue. The only feedback I got was how easy it was!

I really can't understand why anyone would wish to deal with the CAA themselves, when we have such an excellent organisation to handle this for us. Renewing via the BMFA also strengthens their hands somewhat in future negotiations!

As an aside, am I the only one to have noticed the drought of drone stories in the media in recent months? I know they have been preoccupied with other things of late, but does this mean the drone craze has blown over (as predicted!) and that the whole registration thing has been a waste of time and money? I think we should be told!

--

Pete

[Ronaldo]

I did my re-joining, insurance, and registration all though the BMFA website whom kindly simplified it all for us. Nice one BMFA thanks

[Geoff S]

Posted by Peter Christy on 16/10/2020 10:53:24:

As an aside, am I the only one to have noticed the drought of drone stories in the media in recent months? I know they have been preoccupied with other things of late, but does this mean the drone craze has blown over (as predicted!) and that the whole registration thing has been a waste of time and money? I think we should be told!

--

Pete

It may be that the media have other pandemic fish to fry but it could be as you suspect. I remember the CB craze in the late 80s (before I had any RC interest) that I think made 27Mhz a no go area for model control just disappeared. My first foray into RC was for model yachting in the early 90s and 2 channel 27Mhz was the usual system (with crystal swaps where needed for each race) and I never had a problem.

I did my registration through the BMFA and, as you also said, it was very painless (except for the £9 ). It's almost certainly a waste of time and effort but it's not likely to disappear. I restrict my flying to an occasional few sortis in a field 5 minutes walk from the house, usually with the Liddle Stik I built a few months back but it has the required number stuck inside - easy because of banded on wings. Not that anyone is likely to check.

Geoff

[Keith Berriman]

Started on mine around 10am when the lap top decided to upload an upgrade 90 mins later the upgrade was finished and started on the links etc fingers crossed all was well. All went through no problems

[Jason-I]

No need to renew here. I took the stupid test last year to 'prove' I am competent, but I have not and will not pay the unjust 'toy airplane tax'. Cancelled my BMFA membership last year too as I didnt feel I got any benefit from continued membership.....

[MattyB]

Posted by Peter Christy on 16/10/2020 10:53:24:

As an aside, am I the only one to have noticed the drought of drone stories in the media in recent months? I know they have been preoccupied with other things of late, but does this mean the drone craze has blown over (as predicted!) and that the whole registration thing has been a waste of time and money? I think we should be told!

Whether "the drone craze has blown over" or not is irrelevant - the registration scheme may have used the "enhanced safety" angle as publicity point, but it was never really about that. The actual goal has always been to commercialise the airspace below 1000ft for BVLOS commercial use, as the government think there are lots of jobs and tax £££s in that. To be able to do that the belief is you need to have a much better idea of what is operating there, and registration is part of that. In future real time ID capability will undoubtedly rear it's head again as it is in the US, but perhaps that will be delayed somewhat due to the global pandemic.