FPV & the Law

[Wyntrblue]

I saw a lot of conflicting information on the web so I contacted ofcom who sent me a link to that page....

[turok007]

if you really want to enjoy FPV move to another country.  as in the UK we are very limited   25mw transmitter  and have to use a spotter.  so unless your spotter has super vision  you are very limited.   

[powerlord]

Or smarter.

In ham radio,  they created repeater networks.

There';s no reason why local Fpv clubs couldn';t do the same within the law.  By contracting a local repeater grid,  (and multiple spotters)  Fpv flights could be conducted legally over many miles in the UK.

Dunno why someone';s not done it tbh.  Not particularly difficult or expensive.

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[DebianDave]

There';s no reason why local Fpv clubs couldn';t do the same within the law. 

I need a local FPV club, none of the plank fettlers near me are interested. Resorted to trying to build a multirotor specific FB group (see signature). Plan is to get properly organised in time for nicer flying weather.

[TonyUK]

Well, after building and rebuilding my 450 quad and generally learning to actually keep the thing in the air, I thought to try FPV. I';ve installed a basic (a.k.a. cheap) kit and it works very well. This morning, looking for somewhere better to practice with plenty of empty space, I fell across this link;

http://grundlefly.com/2013/05/07/uk-fpv-laws-for-small-uavs-a-quick-rundown-of-the-rules/

It might be worth listening to and following the info he gives. Turns out that in my locale, not only is FPV against the rules, but it';s also pretty much out of my "travel to for a quick fly distance before I get called back home range altogether"!

I do know about being sensible and all that, just I';d rather stay close to legal while doing so.

[powerlord]

He makes it sound far more convoluted than it is.

Go to the  notam website,  add the addition of show all airspace.  That';s it,  job done.

Each notam or airspace restriction has a popup you can close contact on telling you full details. 

No need to call CAA,  no need to lookup airspace maps (though for the sake of 12 quid I would suggest every fpver buys one). 

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[james]

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=33&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=6746 is the most recent version of the exemptions - the link in the first post is broken, as that version has been removed and replaced (May 2015).

[quadfather]

There';s no reason why local Fpv clubs couldn';t do the same within the law.  By contracting a local repeater grid,  (and multiple spotters)  Fpv flights could be conducted legally over many miles in the UK.

It can';t be done legally because the aircraft has to stay within view of the spotter, who has to "stay directly adjacent" to the pilot.  Technically an interesting idea though.

[Oakley]

Permission can be granted or ELOS of extended line of sight.

[powerlord]

There';s also nothing in rules to say operator has to stay static I don';t think?

So for example,  you could fly it as a passenger in a car for many many miles and always remain in Los?

[james]

There';s also nothing in rules to say operator has to stay static I don';t think?

So for example,  you could fly it as a passenger in a car for many many miles and always remain in Los?

That';s probably acceptable if you';ve got total control over the track the car is driving down, though I';d argue that as a pilot you really, really don';t want to be thinking about how your frame of reference is moving while also trying to keep track of how the vehicle is moving. But it';d be better to go through the CAA approval process and get permission for extended visual line of sight operations where you can use a remote spotter, imho.

[rob12770]

You need a ';flight plan';?  WTF?

I Always have a flight plan... To get it home in one piece 

[rob12770]

Ok this is more a general Multirotor comment rather than FPV specific..

I think Maybe if you had insurance then Maybe you should. could be allowed to fly almost anywhere.. wait.. .. hear me out..you can drive a car with insurance and a licence etc, and thats FAR more dangerous than any multirotor right ?

I even would be happy with a form of licensing for the hobby.. I am an Amateur radio operator and it has 3 classes of licence in the UK.. foundation, intermediate and Advanced,, you work your way up over time and exams.. its actually pretty great cos not Any numpty can simply go on.. no call sign, no one will talk to you.. sounds mean, but it';s fair..

something similar could be done with multirotors involving  small exams, and power levels etc..
TBH i would have Hated the Idea before i became involved with Amateur radio,, but it works..
you would end up with responsible pilots who knew what they were doing and you also get a local club..
Justsayinisall.. 

[insx]

So is video transmission over 25 mW (and therefore most FPV flight) just plain illegal?

[kilby]

So is video transmission over 25 mW (and therefore most FPV flight) just plain illegal?

Yes

[insx]

This is weird, I was sure that I replied to a post that was new today 

[Cheredanine]

To be specific, yes on the 5.8g band

[Ern Stock]

Does this need updating ?

To start us off ;
400ft maximum height ?

[ched]

It is well out of date but the regs are a bit up in the air at moment.
i.e. the regs that are supposed to come in in July, the EU ones have been delayed till Oct/Nov I think.
Then we go to the current rules about registration on over 250gms. It depends on if you are a member of certain clubs (BFMA, FPVUK etc) it you are exempt from registering till June(when new EU regs were supposed to come in). Not sure if the exemption is being extended or not!!!

So while we could mention each and every rule it might be even more complex depending on membership, months and if any extensions are made!

So basically under 400ft, 5km away from end of runways, outside of 2.5nm radius from airfield, stay 50m away from people - 150m from groups of 1000 people or more and congested zones. Fly only within visual LOS or have spotter that can see aircraft at all times. If over 250gms and no exemptions you need to pass exam, register, pay licence fee and have id on aircraft.

Just wait till the EU rules kick in as they are so complex it's untrue.

[Ern Stock]

 
Thanks

Seems similar to usual , poss the 400' is newish ?

Have bmfa membership & caa id on craft , and , now I think about it I did successfully pass an online exam.

Hmmm new eu rules : complex seems to lead to loopholes ...

Thanks again for the update

[ched]

Thanks

Seems similar to usual , poss the 400' is newish ?

Have bmfa membership & caa id on craft , and , now I think about it I did successfully pass an online exam.

Hmmm new eu rules : complex seems to lead to loopholes ...

Thanks again for the update

I have a feeling the 400ft has been standard for 5 years to my knowledge. I think there was some form of exemption for bmfa I think. Just checked and it was 2018 the 400ft came in!!! Oops.
To quote BMFA: 'Exemption' from the CAA which permits their members operating 'conventionally piloted' model aircraft (not including multi-rotors) of less than 3.5Kg to fly up to 1000ft when flown using First Person View with a 'competent observer'

The EU stuff doesn't just use aircraft weight as classes but also speed! The sub250gms exemption will not exist if the aircraft has a camera. Then there are classification for areas where you fly. Model aircrafts will be sold with a class. There is also a requirement to have some sort of geo fence limits built in. Then there is a 80 Joules limit in certain classes. It's all a mess and so complicated no one will abide by it.
If you build your own it will be in highest risk category of C4!!! So no flying in or over a place where a member of the public has access!!!!