FPV Flying

First Person View Flying

FPV transmission power will not exceed the UK limit of 25mW.

To highlight the requirements for General FPV Flying and the distinction between FPV Racing and general FPV Flying the relevant parts of Article 16 are copied below.

 
One important part of the rules however is that a pilot engaged in FPV Racing is exempt from the requirement to be accompanied by a competent observer provided the conditions contained in para 3.1 below are met. For that purpose our flying field is a ‘sterile area’ as it is totally cordoned off by virtue of the surrounding walls and gate which will remain closed while FPV Racing or practice is taking place. Any FPV course setup should be designed to exclude risk to people and property in the parking / pits area.
 
Other Club members and properly briefed visitors can be on the field as ‘involved persons’ and flying of other types of aircraft can take place during breaks in the FPV Racing or Practice subject to the availability of a safe take-off / launch and landing area. It might be an opportunity to dust off your own FPV Racing Drone and join in.
 
So that Club Members will know that this is the type of flying which is planned anyone proposing to do this should post a Flying Notification stating ‘FPV Racing’. As we haven’t seen FPV Drone Racing at our field for some time we’ll have to allow experience to dictate whether any different system of booking might be required to cater for this.
 
Other than FPV Racing the rules for General FPV flying must be adhered to.
 
 
Article 16 First Person View
 

3. First Person View (FPV) Model Aircraft
Our Authorisation defines first person view aircraft as follows: In First Person View operations the remote pilot flies the aircraft using images provided by cameras aboard the aircraft. When flying FPV the remote pilot cannot monitor the flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions to the same extent as a remote pilot maintaining external direct, unaided visual contact with the aircraft.

Our Authorisation incorporates the terms of our existing FPV exemption, but also includes specific provision for FPV ‘drone racing’ which the BMFA had been discussing with the CAA for some time.

3.1 FPV Drone Racing

A model aircraft may be flown by a remote pilot using first person view subject to the terms of our Authorisation and provided that the aircraft is operated:

  • Within a sterile area – meaning a cordoned off, closed area that uninvolved persons are excluded from. (Uninvolved persons are those who are not participating in the UAS operation or who are not aware of the instructions and safety precautions given by the UAS operator).
  • The aircraft is not flown in excess of 160ft (50m) above the surface.
  • In accordance with procedures set out for the purpose of the event and in accordance with the instructions of the race director or other nominated person, including provision of a ‘terminate race and land immediately instruction.
  • Any observers are suitably briefed and aware of their responsibilities, including the monitoring of people or aircraft entering the sterile area.

Individual remote pilots do not require their own ‘competent’ observer when operating under this provision.

3.2 General FPV Flying

A model aircraft may be flown by a remote pilot using first person view subject to the terms of our Authorisation and provided that:

  • The remote pilot is accompanied by a competent observer who maintains direct unaided visual contact with the unmanned aircraft sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions and advises the remote pilot accordingly.
  • The MTOM of the aircraft does not exceed 3.5Kg.
  • The aircraft is only operated in the areas defined in the ‘Where can I fly’ section (6) (Copied Below)
  • The aircraft is only operated in accordance with the ‘Separation Distances from Uninvolved Persons’ section (8) copied below. (Uninvolved persons are those who are not participating in the UAS operation or who are not aware of the instructions and safety precautions given by the UAS operator).

And the aircraft is not flown:

  • Within an aerodrome FRZ, unless appropriate permission has been obtained.
  • At a height of more than 1000ft above the surface, unless it is a rotorcraft with more than 1 lift generating rotor or propeller in which case the height shall not exceed 400ft above the surface.
  • Over or within 150m of any assemblies of people (Assemblies of people are gatherings where persons are unable to move away due to the density of the people present).
  • Within 50m of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the remote pilot.

6. Where can I fly? Essentially, wherever you fly now.

The Authorisation is valid throughout the UK at:

  • Any established model flying club site. Clubs operating in a ‘built up area’ (This means an area substantially used for industrial, recreational, commercial or residential purposes) must conduct a risk assessment and have suitable mitigations in place within their ‘Field Safety Rules’.  The BMFA can assist with this.
  • Any other suitable site which is not a ‘built-up area’.
  • Within a ‘built up area’ if the flying site is within an area which is only used substantially for recreational purposes (for example playing fields or sports pitches) and a risk assessment has been carried out. Again, the BMFA can assist with this.

8. Separation Distances from uninvolved persons.

The stipulation of separation distances from uninvolved persons is a new requirement (the default distance within the EU regulations for most of our operations being 50m), but we have reached a compromise agreement with the CAA to ensure that the terms of our Authorisation are appropriate for our established operations.

There are no minimum separation distances for model aircraft with an MTOM under 250g.