Drones

If your drone weighs less than 20 kilograms and you’re flying within visual line of sight outside restricted airspace (avoiding Flight Restriction Zones), you do not need permission or air traffic control authorisation.

Information about flight restriction zones (FRZs) can be found on the Drone Assist mobile phone app, which is free to download.

The app also includes useful information about weather conditions, ground hazards and local airports – and you can use it to let other drone operators know where you are intending to fly.

If you have questions about the Airspace User Portal, you can contact NATS directly via email and we’ll respond as soon as we can.

For flight application queries, please write to us at: nsf@nats.co.uk.

For technical queries about the online system please write to us at: aup@nats.co.uk.

Please allow up to 14 days for your flight authorisation to come through although, if the airspace area in which you wish to fly is especially sensitive, your application process may take longer.

If you are a commercial drone operator, flying your drone as part of your work or for commercial gain, you must hold a Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) qualification, issued by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). This also applies if your drone weighs more than 250 kilograms.

If you want to fly your drone inside an aerodrome flight protection zone, or if your preferred flight plan includes flying through any part of a flight protection zone (FRZ), you are required by law to seek and obtain air traffic control permission in advance.

If the relevant airport is already using NATS’ Airspace User Portal (the AUP is currently undergoing trials at several UK airports including London Heathrow, London Luton, Cardiff, Manchester and Southampton) you can make your FRZ flight application online via the automated AUP system.

For more information about drones and registration, go to the Drone Safe website or visit the drones section on the CAA website.

Yes, the law requires anyone flying or operating a drone in the UK to register as a drone user. You can find out more about the rules on the CAA website.

Yes, Drone Assist is free for anyone to download and use. The app has been designed with drone pilots in mind, but it contains helpful information for all low-level airspace users.

All drone pilots are responsible for their aircraft at all times and it’s important that everyone flies safely and responsibly.

You can find out more by viewing our free online training course for hobbyist drone operators.

Yes, the law requires anyone using or operating a drone to register as a user, even if the drone they’re flying is owned by someone else. You can find out more about the rules on the CAA website.

To qualify as a commercial drone pilot, you must hold a Permission for Commercial Operations issued by the CAA. Find out more by visiting the Drone Safe website or checking the CAA’s drone information pages.

In addition, the CAA also publish a list of commercial drone pilot trainers.

If you see a drone being flown illegally, you should immediately report the incident to the police by telephoning 101.

If you are a drone user or otherwise connected with the aviation industry, you can report your concerns via the CHIRP website by clicking on the CHIRP online confidential reporting tab.

If you witness a dangerous or potentially unsafe drone-related incident, you should report the circumstances to the CAA.

You can do this online using its Occurrence Reporting system.

Anyone witnessing a dangerous or potentially unsafe airspace event should report the incident to the Civil Aviation Authority and/or to the police by telephoning 101; if you are directly involved in the incident as an aviation professional you should use the Mandatory Occurrence Reporting (MOR) system on the CAA website.

If, as an aviation professional, a member of the drone community, or a drone pilot, you are concerned that a drone is being flown irresponsibly, intrusively, dangerously or in manner that may have an impact on airspace safety, you can report your concerns via the CAA-sponsored CHIRP confidential reporting programme, which is accessible via the CHIRP website.

The NATS Drone Assist app contains information about where it is and isn’t safe to fly your drone in your local area – however, please be aware that use of the app does not constitute flight request approval or clearance to enter controlled airspace.

The Drone Safe website and the Drone Assist app contain useful information to help you find out whether you are allowed to fly your drone in the area you have chosen.

You can also check the how the law applies to you information on the CAA website.

If you see a drone being flown illegally, you should immediately report the incident to the police by telephoning 101.

Visit the CAA website to learn more about reporting the misuse of drones.