We are receiving increasing numbers of enquiries about the use of drones in the city.
Drones may also be referred to as:
- unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV)
- small unmanned aircraft (SUA)
- unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
The law
All civil aircraft flying in the United Kingdom are subject to the Civil Aviation Act 1982.
This Act gives power to the Secretary of State to make secondary legislation referred to as Air Navigation Orders.
Civil Air Authority
If your drone is over 250 grams and you want to fly it outside, you need to register with the Civil Air Authority (CAA). Instead of registering the drone, the CAA registers the adult responsible for it. It costs £9 per drone owner and you can do it quickly and easily here.
Anyone flying the drone needs to look at the online education package on the same website and pass a short multiple-choice test to get their flyer ID. This is a legal requirement and will help you fly your drone safely and confidently.
You can always check the safety information in the Dronecode. It has all the basic safety rules you need to follow, like staying below 400ft (120 meters), keeping away from aircraft and airfields, and not flying too close to people and property.
There is a fine of up to £1,000 if you don't follow the drone registration rules.
The CAA permission only covers flight safety and does not give you permission to ignore the rules of other authorities like the police and emergency services.
Filming
Taking pictures or videos of people without their permission might break the Data Protection Act 1998 or the CCTV code of practice. The Information Commissioner's Office says there is a difference between people who use drones for fun and those who use them for work. But the CCTV code of practice say it's a good idea for everyone to think about people's privacy and use drones responsibly.
This information is not a legal document and does not explain the law fully. It is meant to help people and businesses understand the main points of the law. You should read the law itself for all the details and get your own legal advice if needed.
For more information, you can contact:
- Public Safety, Regulation and Development, City of Newcastle upon Tyne, Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH
- email us at psr@newcastle.gov.uk