Drone Safety in Shetland

***Updated December 2022***

Drone and model aircraft registration and proof of competency is now mandatory. Make sure you have an Operator and Flyer ID - take the test before you fly!

Affordable drones with great cameras have made aerial photography a reality to amateur and professional photographers, but many don’t realise there are strict laws governing both amateur and professional use. Flying your drone too high or too far can be very dangerous, not only to people or property on the ground but to other aircraft – even a small drone hitting the tail rotor of a helicopter could be catastrophic and potentially result in a fatal crash.

Just because we live in Shetland doesn’t mean we’re immune to the rules relating to drones. Our airspace here is surprisingly busy with many low-level flights, intense helicopter activity, numerous small airfields and a busy airport at Sumburgh. Your drone is a fantastic camera in the sky, but learn the rules to ensure you fly it safely.

To make our airspace safer make sure you follow the Drone Code every time you fly. You should also join the Shetland Flight Information Notification Scheme, a local group where you can inform other airspace users where you intend to fly to avoid conflict.

Since 30 November 2019 it is a legal requirement to register with the CAA before you can operate a drone or model airacraft, and you must also take and pass an online test to prove you're competent to fly. You must have two registrations in place before you fly a drone or model aircraft that’s between 250g and 25kg:

• anyone who will fly must pass a theory test to get a Flyer ID (this is free and lasts for five years);
• the person that’s responsible for the drone or model aircraft must register to get an Operator ID (this costs £10.00 and lasts for one year);
• you must have an Operator ID if you operate a drone weighing less than 250g (that is not classed as a toy) equipped with a camera.

You can register for both an Operator ID and a Flyer ID here (opens in a new window). Any drone or model aircraft that you fly must display your Operator ID (NOT your Flyer ID) clearly in block capital characters larger than 3mm. Note that it doesn't have to be displayed on the exterior of the UAS, it can be in the battery compartment or other suitable location.

Note that the minimum age for an Operator ID is 18, so younger people will need their parents or guardians to register as the legal operator of the UAS. The minimum age to apply for a Flyer ID yourself is 13, however becoming a member of model aircraft association such as the BMFA, SAA or FPV-UK allows you to take advantage of their authorisations and allow younger children to fly drones and model aircraft.

The Air Navigation Order 2016 details the laws that apply to drone and model aircraft flights, however there have been many changes so it is important to read the guidance notes in CAP2013. There is also a whole set of documents that cover all aspects of the regulations here.

There are three categories of unmanned aircraft operations: Open, Specific and Certified. Most recreational remote pilots will operate in the Open category which is considered low risk, and as there is no longer a distinction between recreational and commercial unmanned aircraft operations, the current regulations open up lots of opportunities. If you do intend to use your drone for commercial work you must have (EC)785/2004 compliant insurance and, unless you intend to operate in the A1 or A3 sub-categories only, an A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) as a minimum. This also applies to commercial work in the A1 Transitional category. The Specific category is for higher risk operations and is similar to the legacy PfCO. It is unlikely that recreational drone users will require to operate in the Specific category, but in all cases you will require an Operations Manual and a General Visual Line of Sight certificate (GVC) to obtain an Operational Authorisation (OA) from the CAA. Specific category operations are beyond the scope of this website, however you can find links to the CAA drone and model aircraft pages on the Resources page which details how to obtain an OA.

The UK Government has made the decision not to align with the EU on C marked UAS, and has extended the legacy and transitional arrangements until 01 January 2026 to allow the DoT, CAA and UKCA to develop an Open category framework that is safe, proportionate and fit for purpose for the UK. The recent release of the DJI Mavic 3 Classic (the first EU C marked drone on the market) will not be able to operate in the A1 open category in the UK from 23 December 2022. "Legacy" now applies to all UAS on the market prior to 01 January 2026, i.e. all previously and currently available drones.

The UK Open category is stuctured into four subsets that depend on the weight of the unmanned aircraft you are flying and your level of competence:

• A1: unmanned aircraft under 250g (e.g. DJI Mavic Mini, Mini 2, Mini 3, Mini 3 Pro, Autel Nano). Fly over people - there are very few restrictions for this class of drone, if it has a camera and is not a toy you must have an Operator ID, and you are not allowed to fly over or closer than 50m from crowds of people (i.e. a music festival, a busy street, an Up Helly-Aa procession);
• A1 Transitional: unmanned aircraft between 251g and 500g (e.g. DJI Mavic Air (v1 only), Parrot ANAFI). Fly close to people - no intentional overflight of uninvolved people. Requires a Flyer ID, Operator ID and an A2 CofC;
• A2 Transitional: unmanned aircraft between 501g and 2kg (e.g. DJI Mavic series, Yuneec Typhoon series, DJI Phantom series). Fly close to people - keep at least 50m horizontal distance from uninvolved people. Requires a Flyer ID, Operator ID and an A2 CofC;
• A3: unmanned aircraft of any weight up to 25kg (e.g. DJI Mavic series, Phantom series, Inspire series, home-built or kit-built model aircraft). Fly far from people - Operator and Flyer ID required, no operations within 150m horizontal distance from a built-up area (be aware this now includes individual and small groups of residential buildings, not just villages or towns), at least 50m horizontal distance from uninvolved people. This is very similar to the previous rules for recreational pilots, and applies to most popular types of drones on the market today. You don't need an A2 CofC for any operation whether recreational or commercial in the Open A3 category.

Remember, no matter what category or weight of unmanned aircraft you are flying you must not fly:

• more than 400' (120m) from the nearest point of the earth's surface;
• anywhere near an airport or airfield. It is an offence to fly a drone of any weight in the flight restiction zone (3.7 or 4.6km from the centre of the aerodrome) or the runway protection zone (5km x 1km from the runway threshold) unless you have permission from ATC, FISO or the aerodrome operator;
• over crowds of people;
• in restricted airspace;
• anywhere there are restrictions in place such as ports and harbours, sports stadiums, prisons, schools, National Trust or Historic Scotland sites.

In addition, you must always:

• keep your drone in visual line of sight;
• read the drone's user manual before flying for the first time, and make sure you understand the safety features such as the return to home function;
• follow the preflight checks for your drone to ensure it is airworthy;
• ensure your batteries (aircraft, remote controller and tablet/phone) have enough charge for your flight;
• check the weather before you fly, and ensure the weather conditions are within your drone's limits;
• LAND IMMEDIATELY or take avoiding action if you see or hear another aircraft approaching the area you're flying;
• have permission to fly your drone, particularly on private land, or near airports, airfields, ports and harbours.

And NEVER:

• recklessly or negligently act in a manner likely to endanger an aircraft or any person in an aircraft;
• recklessly or negligently cause or permit your drone to endanger any person or property.

Breaking these rules is not only highly dangerous but can result in hefty fines, imprisonment, or both, along with a criminal record, confiscation of your drone (and associated equipment such as PCs and tablets), and possibly a ban from flying drones in the future. There have been several cases in the UK recently where recreational drone users have been arrested and charged with offences under the Air Navigation Order using photos and videos posted to social media sites such as Facebook and YouTube as evidence.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse, so learn the rules and fly your drone safely and responsibly. Never recklessly endanger people by flying near or over them; the propellers of even a small drone can cause serious injury. And never endanger other aircraft; flying too high, too far, or near airports is a recipe for conflict, with serious and potentially deadly consequences.

Enjoy using your drone responsibly. Don’t put other lives at risk by flying recklessly or irresponsibly. Remember, you are the pilot and responsibility for the flight lies with you. Know the rules, read the Drone Code, join the Shetland Flight Information Notification Scheme and fly safely!

Click on the graphic below to download a Shetland airspace map (Updated January 2021):

This website has been produced by Shetland Flyer Aerial Media to increase safety and awareness for drone operators in Shetland. If you have any questions or suggestions please contact dronesafety@shetland-flyer.co.uk. We're authorised by the UK Civil Aviation Authority to conduct commercial operations with unmanned aircraft up to 25kg within and over congested areas. We are members of ARPAS-UK, the UK trade association for unmanned aircraft operators, and Drone Safe Register, a verified commercial operator register. Click on the icons below to visit the respective websites.