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Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2018

Air Navigation (Amendment) Order 2018 1

You will be aware that as of July this year there were amendments to the Air Navigation Order (ANO) which details the law regarding all flying (full size of all types including commercial and models).

This is mainly as a result of concerns about quadcopters commonly known as drones. However the amendments, the full import of which still have unknowns, will apply to all unmanned aircraft which means what we fly as models.

Below is a link for the amended order which I suggest you read.

ANO

Particular points of interest are points 94E and 94F (2) which come into force in November next year.

Certain small unmanned aircraft: competency of remote pilots

94E.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of this article, the CAA must issue an acknowledgement of competency to an individual, or renew that individual’ s acknowledgement of competency, if the individual—

  1. (a)  has applied to the CAA, in such manner as the CAA may require, for an acknowledgement of competency,
  2. (b)  has supplied such information and evidence as the CAA may require,
  3. (c)  has undertaken such training as the CAA may require, and
  4. (d)  has undergone such tests as the CAA may require.

(2) That training or those tests may relate to matters which include—

  1. (a)  the practical operation of small unmanned aircraft;
  2. (b)  matters connected with the operation of small unmanned aircraft (such as respect for privacy, data protection, safety, security and environmental protection).

(3) Subject to paragraph (4), an acknowledgement of competency may relate—

  1. (a)  to a particular description of small unmanned aircraft;
  2. (b)  to a particular description of flights by small unmanned aircraft.

(4) No acknowledgement of competency is to be issued in relation to—

  1. (a)  small unmanned aircraft with a mass of less than 250 grams without their fuel but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of their flight, or
  2. (b)  flights by small unmanned aircraft of that description.

(5) An acknowledgement of competency issued, or renewed, under this article is valid for the period shown on the acknowledgement, subject to article 253.

(6) The CAA may issue an acknowledgement of competency subject to such conditions as it deems appropriate.

(7) The CAA is not required to accept applications for acknowledgements of competency under this article before 1st October 2019.

 

94F(2) – The remote pilot of the small unmanned aircraft must not fly it unless the CAA has issued the remote pilot with an acknowledgement of competency which is valid for that flight at the time of the flight.

 

It is believed that the Competency is most likely to be based on a BMFA ‘A’ certificate, but is as yet unconfirmed.

So if you do not have an A certificate, it would probably be a good idea to get one before next November.

We have a good number of instructors and examiners in the club so are well equipped to help with this.