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Check before you fly.

A simple toolkit to help you stay in compliance with CAA rules. Includes guidance on registration requirements, flight categories, and local restrictions.

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Whilst this toolkit is built directly from guidance produced by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and data distributed by National Air Traffic Services (NATS), it's your responsibility to ensure that you are operating safely and legally at all times. Ensure that the data is accurate prior to flying.

Photo by Alessio Soggetti on Unsplash

Every requirement links to its CAA source. CAA guidance checked —; NATS restriction data effective —.

Pre-flight checklist

01 · Your aircraft and flight

What rules apply?

Drone usage under the "Open Category" falls within one of three sub-categories - A1, A2, or A3.

The sub-category is determined based upon the weight of the drone, the class markings (if any) that it has, and the distance from any uninvolved bystanders.

CAA rules verified —. Restriction map uses NATS data effective —, which is republished every 28 days.

Your answers are saved in this page's address, so you can bookmark or share your setup.

Aircraft

Take-off mass

Class mark

Printed on the aircraft or its box, e.g. "UK1" or "C1".

Camera fitted

Any camera or sensor that can record people.

Indoors / cannot escape

Inside a building or a fully enclosed net the aircraft cannot leave.

I will not fly it myself

You are responsible for the aircraft (the operator), but someone else will be the pilot.

UK4 Remote ID exemption held

Only for UK4 model aircraft covered by a CAA exemption from broadcasting Remote ID, e.g. via a model-flying association.

How you will fly

Your age

Nearest bystander

Nearest built-up area

Nearest building

I hold an A2 CofC

A2 Certificate of Competency: a theory exam for flying closer to people.

UK2/C2 low-speed mode

The aircraft's low-speed mode is switched on for the whole flight.

Intentionally over people

Deliberately flying over people who are not part of your flight.

Over a crowd

A dense group that could not easily move away, e.g. a concert or match.

At night

Activity Category

Calculating…

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Key: ! Action needed you must do this ✕ Not permitted change your plan ✓ OK allowed as described ▲ Important limits on every flight i Info good to know

02 · Permanent restrictions

Check your location

Your position is tested against the downloaded NATS dataset in your browser. It is never stored or sent to this site.

You can also tap the map to check a point. Geolocation permission is requested only when you press the button. Map tiles are provided by OpenStreetMap.

Not checked yet

No location checked

Use your location, enter coordinates, or tap the map to check a point.

03 · Other Restrictions · 0 of 3 checked

Check there are no other restrictions in place.

1 · NOTAMs

NOTAMs (Notice to Air Missions or Notice to Airmen) are time-sensitive, and usually temporary, notices that detail specific restrictions that are in place due to things such as military activity, air restrictions put in place due to major events or airshows, or even temporary obstructions.

NATS AIS — NOTAM briefing ↗

2 · Public Spaces Protection Orders

Local councils have the power to pass "Public Spaces Protection Orders", or PSPOs, which can restrict specified activities within defined zones under their authority. These are increasingly used to restrict the use of drones in public areas. Find your council, then search its website for "PSPO" or "drones".

GOV.UK — Find your local council ↗

3 · Landowner Permission

If you intend to take-off or land on private land belonging to someone else, you should ensure that you have their permission prior to commencing your flight.

CAA — Where you can fly ↗

04 · Risk Assessment · 0 of 4 checked

Check you can safely operate your drone.

1 · Weather

Adverse weather conditions, such as strong winds, may make it difficult to safely control your drone, or - in the case of rain - may lead to electrical or mechanical failure. Similarly, strong sunshine may make it difficult to maintain visual line-of-sight of your drone. You cannot safely pilot the drone without full control.

Met Office — UK forecast ↗

2 · People

Beware of gatherings of people who are not involved with your activities; not only may your presence cause them alarm or concern, but their presence may become a distraction that prevents you from safely piloting your drone. Ensure you will be able to keep to the safety distances specified by your subcategory at all times.

3 · Obstacles

Check for the presence of obstacles such as tree-lines or overhead power lines.

4 · Technical Issues

Ensure that your equipment is in good working condition, and that there are no signs of wear on your propellers.

Check before you fly.

Pre-flight checklist

What rules apply?

Calculating…

Check your location

Enter coordinates

No location checked

Check there are no other restrictions in place.

1 · NOTAMs

2 · Public Spaces Protection Orders

3 · Landowner Permission

Check you can safely operate your drone.

1 · Weather

2 · People

3 · Obstacles

4 · Technical Issues