Posts by clarkerz

New UK drone laws are on the way – but actual Drones Bill still in limbo

Re: > What is a "drone" when it comes to this legislation? How is one defined?

For an electrically propelled aircraft, the battery itself is considered to be a part of the aircraft – it is the battery’s charge that is the fuel. The logic for this is that the battery is basically the ‘fuel tank’ or, in other words, when the battery has run out of fuel, it still weighs the same.

It's going to be really hard to enforce and the CAA have an MOU with local police forces and my experience is that they don't know how to or, don't have the man power to enforce this. Saying that, the CAA/DFT have to start somewhere and technology could assist with proving breaches in the legislation.

I have just read the DFT website and they've stated "The number of active commercial licences increased from 2,500 to 3,800 in 2017, a year on year growth of 52%." As picky as this may be, the CAA cannot issue a UAV/SUAS/SUA/Drone (or whatever you want to call it) Licence, they can only give a Permission for Commercial Operation aka PfCO. Doesn't really fill you with confidence.....

Re: Online safety tests!

Here's one from the CAA/EASA Human Performance and Limitations written exam (12 multiple choice questions of which you have to answer 9 correctly to pass). It's one of the 9 written exams which is part of the PPL manned flight training):

If a solo pilot experiences "spatial disorientation" whilst flying on instruments, the best solution is to:

(a) Trust the senses

(b) Request ATC assistance

(c) Concentrate on, and trust, the Flight Instruments

(d) Close the eyes and fly by "feel"

My monies on a or d :)