Minimum Remote Pilot Age Requirement - Update

Just a quick update on our previous post covering the Generic rules of the Open Category.

If you remember, in this post we had identified that the CAA were likely to reduce the age requirements from the generic EU rules in order to align with the current situation in the open category (i.e. 13 years) and they will reduce it for the Specific category to 14 years.

They have actually gone a step further and removed the age requirements in these two categories altogether.

That means Articles 9 and 9A of the UAS Implementing Regulation (EU 2019/947) have been deleted completely so there is no minimum age for remote pilots in the Open or Specific categories. One important note, however, is that there remain the requirements for competency (therefore inherently you couldn’t expect a toddler to gain an A2CofC for example) AND the age requirements for Operators remains (i.e. 18 years old).

Happy Flying All!

Operator and Remote Pilot Responsibilities in the Specific Category

Operator Responsibiltiies

The Operator is responsible for establishing:

• operational procedures to ensure the safety of the operations

• procedures to ensure that security requirements are complied

• measures to protect against unlawful interference and unauthorised access

• comply with regulations on personal data and carry out data protection IA when required

• guidelines for RPs to minimise nuisances, including noise, to people and animals

• each individual aircraft shall be installed with at least one green flashing light (from 1 January 2022)

• Record Keeping (maintenance, staff, qualifications etc.)

The Operator must designate an RP for each operation and If autonomous flight is planned then they shall detail phases of operation and responsibilities. They are also responsible for ensuring efficient use of radio spectrum in order to avoid harmful interference. When designating an RP, they must ensure each RP:

• Competent (as dictated by OA or STS)

• Follows competency-based training and as required by OA or STS Declaration

• Is informed on operations manual if required by RA

• Obtain geo zone information

When involving other staff as part of the crew, they must ensure:

• Completed OJTI

• Is informed on operations manual if required by RA

• Obtain geo zone information

The operator must ensure operations are carried out and records kept i.a.w the OA or STS Declaration. They must also only use drones designed to minimise noise and other emissions, ensure failure will not lead UAS to flying outside the designated operational volume or cause a fatality and the MMI (Man Machine Interface) shall minimise pilot error and not cause unreasonable fatigue. Finally they must define maintenance instructions and employ adequately trained maintenance staff.

Remote Pilot Responsibilities

Not everything is on the Operator, the RP also has responsibilities to ensure the operation is safe. They must only operate when fit to do so, i.e. not under the influence of drugs or alcohol. They must hold appropriate competency as required by OA or STS Declaration. To ensure the flight complies with the operational volume requirements they must ensure they obtain geo zone information and ensure the environment is compatible with OA or STS Declaration. They must ensure the UAS is safe and check Remote ID is working. All relevant information about the operation should be made available to the ANSPs, Airspace Users and other Stakeholders as required by OA or geo zone requirements. During flight, they must avoid any risk of collision with other aircraft, objects etc, and remain clear of emergency response areas and of course, comply with the OA or STS Declaration, Geo zone limitations, and Operator procedures.

Small Print: These posts are a summary only, include my personal interpretation and are not intended to be a replacement for reading the actual rules.

Operator and Pilot Responsibilities in the Open Category

Updated 9th June 2020: to include CAP1789 rules on remote ID for all aircraft post 1 January 2022 and night time flying

It’s important to understand the difference between a drone operator and remote pilot so you know your responsibilities.

• Operator - means any legal or natural person operating or intending to operate one or more UAS. The CAA consider this to be the person who has the management of the small unmanned aircraft

• Remote Pilot - an individual who operates the flight controls by manual use of remote controls or if flying automatically, monitors its course and is able to intervene and change its course by operating its flight controls;

The Operator and Remote Pilot would be the same person if you’re a one-man-band, but bigger organizations may have an operator who doesn’t actually fly the drone. You may also be the parent of a child with a drone, in which case the parent would be the operator and the child the remote pilot.

Operator Responsibilities

• Ensuring operational procedures are in place (commensurate with the risk) and make efficient use of radio spectrum

• Ensure anyone involved in the drone flight is competent to do their task

• Ensure you provide the geographical zone information

• Ensure you update the geo-awareness system

• If using a drone that is compliant with the delegated regulation then ensure that the drone is accompanied with a Decleration of Confirmity, it is CE Marked and Class ID Label affixed to the drone

• If flying in circumstances of A2 or A3 then ensure all persons are informed of the risk and agreed to particpate.

• From 1 January 2022 operators must ensure that each individual unmanned aircraft is installed with an active and up to date remote identification system

Remote Pilot Responsibilities

• Ensure you are competent (unless Class C0; Or Privately built, <250g and max speed of 19 m/s (36 kts / 42 mph); OR Placed on Market < 1 July 2022 and <250g).

• Observe environment for obstacles and uninvolved persons

• Obtain latest geographical zone information

• Ensure drone is safe and remote ID working (if equipped)

• Ensure mass does not exceed limits (manufacturer, open category or class)

• Ensure fit and not under influence

• Maintain VLOS and visual scan

• Comply with geographical zones

• Operate i.a.w user manual and operator procedures

• Avoid areas where an emergency response effort is ongoing unless permitted

• Observer may assist pilot in VLOS if situated alongside

• From 1 July 2022 RP must ensure they activate a green flashing light when operating at night.

Small Print: These posts are a summary only, include my personal interpretation and is not intended to be a replacement for reading the actual rules.