An Update on the UK Regulations for Model Flyers

[barrie burton]

Rob ref email received to-day,if we are in the LMA and BMFA do we have to register with both,ie £18.I suspect that most LMA members are in the BMFA also.

Barrie Burton

[paul morris]

With the latest from the DfT/CAA does this mean as the associations are going to register on our behalf and collect the fee does this mean that those of us that are in the LMA and BMFA going to have to pay twice?

[Steve Mansell]

The whole document issued by the CAA is full of contradictions and mistakes. If they can't get this right, I don't trust them to hold my details secure.

[Bob Thompson1894]

No, of course not. There will be an option. You are not made to pay BMFA or LMA, its a choice. But by law, you have to register with the CAA, so doing it through one of the main associations is the convenient way. They will not hold your details, but will be able to access the BMFA portal, I imagine.

[Bob Thompson1894]

However, this takes me back to the early pages of this thread, when I said that we (Committees) would be the police enforcing this. That looks as if it is going to be happening.

[stuart knowles 1611]

I think that we are still in 'sit back and wait' territory.

It's a good result as far as it goes, at least there is some acknowledgement of competencies gained through the model flying associations and a slight reduction in the fee but overall it remains a crock of equine faeces that will have little impact on the root problem.. However SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!. This is something and therefore we must do this.

For the sake of a quiet life I'll go along with it. (eventually)

[Peter Siggins]

Why do I get the feeling they are taxing our hobby?
It really doesn’t get near the root problem but makes a little more sense than the earlier proposals.

Pete

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

its much better than the original spec, a spec that for model aeroplane fliers, is just not warranted, but at least it will end illegal drone flying, wont it?

[Bob Thompson1894]

I think that we are still in 'sit back and wait' territory.

It's a good result as far as it goes, at least there is some acknowledgement of competencies gained through the model flying associations and a slight reduction in the fee but overall it remains a crock of equine faeces that will have little impact on the root problem.. However SOMETHING MUST BE DONE!. This is something and therefore we must do this.

For the sake of a quiet life I'll go along with it. (eventually)

Basically, exactly right. Its still a waste of time and money that will do nothing for model flying, except a modicum of status as official CAA licenced model fliers...

[Rob Buckley]

No matter how many associations you may be a member of, you will only have to register once, either through an association or directly on the CAA website.

Registration through an association will be entirely optional, and if you choose to do it the association will pass your registration information onto the CAA for them to enter into their register. The registration you end up with will be identical, no matter how you choose to do it.

Registration will still be entirely an matter between each individual operator of unmanned aircraft and the government / police, no need for clubs to check any more than they do for driving licenses & V5's of members vehicles driven onto flying sites.

[Bob Thompson1894]

some of our members should never have a driving licence...however, if, as seems to be the case, flying without registration is a criminal offence, and that then invalidates your insurance, then it is essential that a club checks for that. Its surely going to be part of the BMFA portal, which all our members are on, as we are affiliated. So LMA etc members who pay elsewhere but BMFA will still need to be on the BMFA database and portal? The thot plickens...

[Rob Buckley]

I can't speak directly for the BMFA, but the ability for associations to register their members with the CAA DRES scheme has been made available by the government to make registration easier for association members. It does not mean the association needs to keep any additional records, simply pass on the registration data (and the fee) on behalf of the member to save the member having to do it twice.

There is nothing at all to stop anyone from registering directly in the DRES scheme on the CAA website, and the registration will be exactly the same no matter how the registration is carried out, and the confirmation of registration 'certificate' will come directly from the CAA DRES system in every case.

That means any data an association may keep and may make available on registration will not be definitive, only a DRES registration confirmation 'certificate' will prove registration.

The insurance coverage issue is still in work.

[Bob Thompson1894]

will it be marked on certificates as to whether a person has paid/passed the test?

[Rob Buckley]

Not on LMA ones, no. Other associations I can't say.

Everyone who registers as an operator via whatever route will have a confirmation / certificate directly from the DRES system. That will be their proof of operator registration.

For competency, there will be 2 ways to show demonstrated competency to anyone who can ask for it-

1. an exemption / permission issued by the CAA that will, in combination with a LMA Proficiency / BMFA / SAA Achievement etc., be sufficient to show to the police or whoever that competency has been demonstrated

2. a confirmation of successful training / test pass from the DRES system

[Bob Thompson1894]

So it may be necessary to ask for a photocopy or digital proof to ensure that people comply? Most clubs require proof of insurance, so surely need proof it is legal, and that person is registered? Otherwise the insurance may be void.

[Rob Buckley]

Hold that thought on the insurance, further information on that angle should be forthcoming in the near future.

Don't forget though that although insurance is a very nice to have, there is no legal requirement for it for model aircraft under 20kg

[Steve Perry]

I spoke to Andy of the BMFA recently, they have changed insurance companies and the new one does not require registration under DROSS

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

The CAA does,

[Alan Cantwell 1131]

Well, today’s the day,

[Bob Thompson1894]

Not for us- we are exempt until Jan 31.