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<p>There are a range of laws in place to regulate the use of drones, prevent criminal
use, and enable enforcement action to be taken when needed.</p><p> </p><p>The Air
Navigation Order 2009 (ANO) regulates the use of all aircraft, including drones, and
provides for a range of offences to guard against criminal use. For example the offences
of endangering the safety of an aircraft, and endangering the safety of any person
or property, apply to the users of all drones. There are also offences specific to
users of small drones, and those using drones for aerial works. Please see at the
end of the answer below for a list of these provisions.</p><p> </p><p>The Civil Aviation
(Insurance) Regulations 2005 deal with insurance requirements for drones, and contain
offences to enforce these.</p><p>Offences relating to personal data are provided for
in the Data Protection Act 1998.</p><p> </p><p>Other legislation which is not aviation
or transport specific may also be relevant to addressing criminal use of drones.</p><p>
</p><p>On future regulation, a proposed new EU Regulation on aviation safety is currently
being negotiated with the European Aviation Safety Agency and other EU Member States.
This will apply to all drones.</p><p> </p><p>While the Government considers that there
are comprehensive rules in place to guard against criminal use of drones, we continue
to keep under careful review whether there is any need for further legislation in
this area.</p><p> </p><p>Provisions in ANO which are enforced by offences listed in
Schedule 13 ANO</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>a) Relevant to all drones:</p><ul><li>Article
137 - endangering safety of an aircraft</li><li>Article 138 - endangering safety of
any person or property</li></ul><p>b) Relevant to drones above 20kg (those over 150kg
have additional requirements to meet):</p><ul><li>Article 3 - registration (unless
comply with B Conditions - see Schedule 2 ANO)</li><li>Article 16 - certificate of
airworthiness (unless comply with B Conditions)</li><li>Article 21 - issue of national
permits to fly</li><li>Article 31 - dropping articles for purposes of agriculture
etc</li><li>Article 129 - dropping of articles and animals</li></ul><p>c) Relevant
to drones up to 20kg:</p><ul><li>Article 166 - requirements for small unmanned aircraft</li></ul><p><em>Applying
to person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft of 20kg or less (without fuel but
including equipment):</em></p><p> </p><ul><li>article 166(1) - Causing or permitting
an article or animal to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft so as to endanger
persons or property.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>article 166(2) - Flying without being
reasonably satisfied that the flight can be safely made.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>article
166(3) - Failing to maintain direct, unaided visual contact sufficient to monitor
flight path.</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>article 166(5) - Flying for the purposes of
aerial work without permission.</li></ul><p> </p><p><em>Applying to person in charge
of a small unmanned aircraft 7kg – 20kg (without fuel but including equipment): </em></p><p>
</p><ul><li>article 166(4)(a) - Flying in Class A, C, D or E airspace without the
permission of the appropriate Air Traffic Control unit,</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>article
166(4)(b) - Flying within an Air Traffic Zone during the notified hours of watch without
permission,</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>article 166(4)(c) - Flying at a height of more
than 400ft above the surface unless within 166(4)(a) or (b).</li></ul><p> </p><ul><li>Article
167 - requirements for small unmanned surveillance aircraft.</li></ul><p><em>Applying
to person in charge of a small unmanned surveillance aircraft of 20kg or less (without
fuel but including equipment):</em></p><p> </p><ul><li>article 167(1) - Flight over
or within 150m of a congested area,</li><li>article 167(1) & (2)(b) - Flight over
or within 150m of an organised open-air assembly or more than 1,000 persons without
permission,</li><li>article 167(1) & (2)(c) - Flight within 50m of any vessel,
vehicle or structure or person (not under the control of the person in charge of the
aircraft) without permission,</li><li>article 167(3) - Taking off within 30m of a
person (not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft).</li></ul>
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