I have lifted this article word for word from the BMFA website, and make no apology for doing so.  It important that we all know what is going on, Follow the link provided.

"The Government has today published their consultation ‘Taking Flight: The Future of Drones in the UK’. The measures in the consultation are part of the Governments wider drones programme and strategy, and will help shape the content of a draft Drones Bill which will be published later this year, as well as other future measures.

The measures under consultation include:

  • Proposals for regulating and mandating the use of ‘apps’ on which pilots would file flight plans ahead of take-off
  • Additional powers for the police to enforce the law
  • Using new counter-drone technology to protect public events and critical national infrastructure, and stop contraband reaching prisons
  • Introducing minimum age restrictions for drone owners in addition to the new tests they will need to take
  • Whether the 1km restriction around aerodromes, introduced as an amendment to the Air Navigation Order in May this year, is sufficient.

The Draft Drone Bill is clearly aimed at 'Drones' but inevitably encompasses all unmanned aircraft.  There is a dedicated section relating to model flying which refers to the ongoing negotiations between the DfT/CAA and the BMFA, SAA, LMA & FPVUK.

You can find a link to the consultation here https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/drone-legislation-use-restrictions-and-enforcement and it will run until 17 September 2018.

This will provide all those 'keyboard warriors' within the membership an opportunity to channel their efforts in a useful direction, but we would strongly encourage all members to participate in this consultation.  "