Legal Requirements for Model Flying
Following new legislation that came into force in 2019, the law requires that anyone operating an unmanned aircraft outdoors that weighs more than 250g, or a model that weighs less then 250g if fitted with a camera must be registered as an operator by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and be able to demonstrate that they are competent. There is a lot of confusion around these requirements, so this is a detailed explanation.
Operator ID and Flyer ID/Competency
The new legislation introduces a distinction between two roles, the Operator and the Remote Pilot. The Operator is the person responsible for managing a drone or model aircraft. This means they are responsible for things like maintaining it and making sure that anyone who flies it is competent. In practice, when we fly our own models, we are both the Operator and Remote Pilot, but if we fly someone else’s model the roles are separate. We know that may sound overly complicated, but it is much easier than it first appears.
If you are not already registered as an Operator, the club can process your CAA registration via the BMFA and you will receive your Operator ID number directly from the CAA. The Club cannot manage renewals.
If you are younger than eighteen and you own a drone or model aircraft, you must ask your parent or guardian to register for an operator ID. You may then fly under the supervision of a competent remote pilot, or prove you are competent by obtaining a Flyer ID or RCC as described below.
Once you receive your Operator ID, the number must be clearly displayed on all your aircraft, either externally or within a compartment that can be easily accessed without the use of a tool.
There is a small annual charge levied by the CAA for an Operator ID.
Flyer ID/Competency
Even if you have an Operator ID you cannot fly legally until you demonstrate you are a competent Remote Pilot by passing an online theory test which is free of charge. For new members there are two ways to prove competency, but without doubt the best way is to complete the RCC test on the BMFA website.
The RCC test (Registration Competency Certificate) is administered by the BMFA and is only available to BMFA members. Receiving a RCC certificate is your proof of competence. The BMFA negotiated certain exemptions from the CAA regs. to allow its members to operate largely as we had done before, and these exemptions are known as Article 16 Authorisation. The questions in the RCC test relate to this and are much more relevant to general radio control model flying in clubs. Therefore, the BMFA RCC is by far the best way to get compliant and up to speed with the latest regulations, it’s free of charge and is valid for 5 years. Another plus point in passing the RCC test is it will save you answering some of the questions when you come to take a test under the BMFA achievement scheme.
The alternate way is to complete the DMARES test on the CAA website and receive a Flyer ID direct from the CAA. The DMARES test (Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Scheme) is aimed at anyone in the general public who wants to fly drones legally. Therefore, the questions are heavily biased towards drones. If you pass this test, you will receive a Flyer ID number which is your proof of competence direct from the CAA.
Legally you need to be able to show proof of competence if challenged by, for example, a police officer. The easiest way to do this is to make sure you keep a copy of your RCC or Flyer ID document on your smart phone if you have one.