Drone Rules and Regulations
(UK 2026 Regulations)
Aerisurv Ltd is based in Cornwall and fully complies with all current UK drone laws. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) overhauled its drone regulations effective 1 January 2026, introducing a new class-marking system and Remote ID requirements. Below is an explanation of the essential rules for flying drones in the UK (whether for fun or for hire), and show how Aerisurv meets or exceeds each standard.
Who can fly drones..? (Pilot Registration)
Anyone can pilot a drone in the UK, but you must register with the CAA. By law, drone pilots (flyers) need a Flyer ID from a CAA theory test, and drone owners need an Operator ID (a registration number labeled on the craft). As of 2026, these IDs are required for smaller drones than before. For example: any drone 100g or more must have a registered pilot (Flyer ID), and any drone 100g+ with a camera (or 250g+ regardless) requires an Operator ID. (Drones under 100g are exempt, though registering is recommended.) As the only pilot at Aerisurv Ltd, I hold a valid CAA Flyer ID and A2 Certificate of Competency (for medium-weight drones), and all our aircraft carry the required Operator IDs on their frames.
Key points:
Drones ≥100g with cameras – Pilot (Flyer) ID and Operator ID required.
Drones ≥250g even without a camera – Flyer ID and Operator ID required.
Drones <100g – no formal ID needed (though flyers are encouraged to complete the CAA theory test).
Aerisurv’s entire fleet of drone are registered and insured.
UK Drone Categories and Class Marks
The UK now uses a class-mark system (UK0–UK6) similar to the EU model. Every new drone sold from 2026 onward must display its UK class. The class determines where and how the drone can be flown safely. Key class rules:
UK0 (C0) – Drones under 250g (such as the DJI Mini series) fall into UK0 class. These can be flown over people (in normal conditions) but not over crowds. Sub-250g legacy drones also have this privilege.
UK1 (C1) – Drones up to 900g with built-in safety features (like geo-awareness). These may be flown near people with care (typically keeping 30–50m away).
UK2 (C2) – Drones up to 4kg. To fly near people (within 50m), the pilot must hold a CAA A2 Certificate of Competency. With an A2 CofC, UK2 pilots can reduce separation to 5m in low-speed mode.
UK3–UK4 – Heavier or traditional model aircraft. These are generally limited to “far from people” (see below).
Legacy drones: Models bought before 2026 that lack a UK class mark must follow the old weight-based rules. For example, a legacy sub-250g drone defaults to the Over-People (A1) category, while larger legacy drones default to Far-From-People (A3) unless the pilot has an A2 CofC.
Any new drone used by Aerisurv Ltd will be class-marked and meets UK technical standards. We check the class of each aircraft and fly only in subcategories we are qualified for.
Where You Can Fly..? (Categories A1/A2/A3)
Under the Open Category of UK regulations (low-risk operations), drones must stay within visual line-of-sight and below 400 feet (120m). Additionally, flights must generally avoid people and sensitive sites. The Open Category is split into three subcategories: A1 (over people), A2 (near people), and A3 (far from people). Briefly:
A1 (Over People): For small drones (sub-250g, UK0) or, temporarily, Class C1. These flights can be over people (not crowds) with only a Flyer ID. Under A1 you may fly above uninvolved people, but must still avoid gatherings.
A2 (Near People): For drones up to 2kg (UK2 class). You must keep at least 50m horizontal distance from uninvolved persons (reducible to 5m in low-speed mode with an A2 CofC). Crucially, an A2 Certificate is required to fly in A2. Pilots without A2 certification cannot get closer than 50m.
A3 (Far from People): For larger or higher-risk drones (typically over 2kg or uncertified). Drones in A3 must keep at least 150m from residential, commercial, and recreational areas and 50m from any person or structure. No flying over uninvolved people is allowed.
I strictly follow these distances and subcategory rules. For example, our sub-2kg drones operated by myself as an A2-qualified pilot and can fly under the A2 rules (50m/5m limits).
Registration, IDs, and Remote ID
All drone operators and pilots must abide by the UK registration system. Key points:
Flyer ID: Required for anyone flying drones 100g or more. It demonstrates you have passed the CAA’s online theory test.
Operator ID: Required for any drone with a camera ≥100g, or 250g+ of any kind. This is a registration number that must be physically marked on the drone.
Remote ID: UK rules now mandate a digital “license plate” on many drones. Every UK1, UK2, or UK3 class drone is built with Remote ID capability. From 1 Jan 2026 you must upload your Remote ID to the drone and turn it on before flight. (Practically, new drones sold have this built-in; legacy drones will need an external device.) Failing to comply with Remote ID requirements is a legal offence. Remote ID for legacy drone does not apply until 1 Jan 2028.
Aerisurv Ltd conforms to all these rules. Each drone and pilot are registered with the CAA, my aircraft are labelled with the correct Operator ID. By 2028, all drones 100g+ with cameras will need Remote ID.
Flight Restrictions and Permissions
By law, drones cannot fly in certain restricted zones. I always check for Flight Restriction Zones (FRZs) near airports or helipads. No flight may enter an airport FRZ without prior permission. For example, a protected zone might extend 5 km from a runway. To fly in these areas, Aerisurv Ltd coordinates with the proper authorities (such as submitting a plan through the NATS Airspace Portal or getting permission from the airfield). I also follow general safety rules: avoiding flying over stadiums, prisons, or emergency scenes, and never fly above 400ft or beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS).
Our Qualifications and Safety Practices
Our commercial clients benefit from our full regulatory compliance and safety focus. In fact, “as a CAA-certified drone operator (Operational Authorisation PDRA-01), Aerisurv Ltd is fully insured up to £1 million and operates to the highest safety and compliance standards”. In practice, this means:
Licensed, Certified Pilots: I hold the required CAA certificates (Flyer ID, A2 CofC, GVC) for the flights we undertake.
Operational Authorisation (OA) and Risk Assessments: For any complex or “Specific Category” project, we apply for the necessary CAA Operational Authorisation and conduct detailed safety and risk assessments (including PDRA-01 where applicable).
Full Insurance: All flights are covered by public liability insurance (at least £1 million) as required by the CAA.
Safety-First Operations: I use pre-flight checklists, respect no-fly zones, and have emergency procedures in place. My equipment is maintained and checked before every job.
Through clear communication, professional planning, and compliance, Aerisurv Ltd ensures that your aerial survey or filming project meets all UK drone laws while achieving the best results. We stay up-to-date on UK drone regulations (2026), CAA drone rules, and local drone laws in Cornwall to give you a safe, legal flight every time.