Dear All,

I discovered yesterday that the CAA intend to make flying by FPV illegal in changes to the Air Navigation Order due to be introduced in November this year. This is despite previous written assurances that FPV flying would not be caught up in the new changes for UAV/ UAS operations.

Page 13 of the document here http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1727/20090...Assessment.pdf includes the clause:
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE AIR NAVIGATION ORDER ARTICLES
Regulation of Small Aircraft
98
(3) The person in charge of a small aircraft shall maintain direct unaided visual contact with the aircraft sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions

I have this morning written to my local MP (my letter attached in PDF format) and I urge each of you to do the same very urgently. If 30 or so of us each write to our local MP we may stand a chance of blocking this new clause from becoming law.

You can find your local MP here: http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

I have attached a rough draft of a letter that each of you could use as a basis for your letter in Word format.

I have also approached a Barrister this morning who specialises in aviation law in the hope that he might help us on a pro bono basis and I also intend to seek help through these two pro bono websites: http://www.barprobono.org.uk/ and http://www.probonouk.net/

I hope we can stop this becoming law by working together. Please publicise this and get as many people as possible to write to their MPs.

Thanks

Simon Dale, Chairman
BFPVMFA

We have had this in Australia for as far as I can remember.

We MUST at all times stay within visual line of sight... Well at least that is what the regulations say!!

That's not good news for UK FPV pilots. Hope that you manage to get something sorted so that FPV can remain legal in the UK. Don't get me started on the CAA, Grrrrr!

P.S. Don't be fooled, this is just a money making scheme for the CAA. I don't know who is in charge there now, but this year they have really started to take the piss with their new scheme of charges.

This was interesting, last page, 4.3

"Model aircraft operated for recreational purposes away from people or property will not be subject to regulation, even when equipped for surveillance or data acquisition."

Originally Posted by chancesAU

This was interesting, last page, 4.3

"Model aircraft operated for recreational purposes away from people or property will not be subject to regulation, even when equipped for surveillance or data acquisition."

Yes - I have been in touch with the CAA over the last 8 months about that part of the proposed changes to the ANO. They assured me that FPV flying (IE recreational, away from people and property) would not get caught up in regulation. Then at the last minute they have put in this new clause which essentially outlaws FPV flying.

You should drag a buddy with good eyes with you at the field, give him the "captain" status and presto , you can make 2km FPV flights .Legally he will be "in charge"

I see your point but I think the CAA would argue that the person in charge is the person who is actually controlling the aircraft.

My understanding is that this new legislation even outlaws buddy lead operation.

In fact I believe it also outlaws flying radio control aircraft whilst wearing presciption glasses/ corrective lenses and/or sunglasses!

Still, no more Thomas LRS sales in UK

well, that just sucks for you guys hope you can get it sorted

as long as this doesn't interfere with your business (I'm assuming you can still sell the stuff since they haven't outlawed the transmitters/cameras/etc themselves) I wouldn't worry too much, though. laws have been broken before, and the best form of sticking it to the man is to do as you please and worry about the laws in another life.

Still, if you can prevent this law from coming into becoming active, this is still the better way. I'm just saying once it's in effect you have the option to ignore it

Hi Trappy,

I would be very surprised if FirstPersonView.co.uk could continue to trade. It is borderline impossible to make any money as it is but selling equipment for a sport that is illegal where we would be unable to advertise, unable to publicise FPV at events, unable to submit articles to magazines, etc. would surely bring our business to an abrupt end.

The British First Person View Model Flying Association would also become somewhat redundant and the £5m liability insurance for FPV flying would be somewhat pointless (since the law says that you can't insure something that is illegal).

Simon Dale, Chairman
BFPVMFA

I wouldn't be too sure about that. doing something illegal can be very exciting ... you'll just need to resort to guerrilla tactics I can name a couple of things that only took off once they were made illegal

Originally Posted by FPV-UK

In fact I believe it also outlaws flying radio control aircraft whilst wearing presciprion glasses/ corrective lenses and/or sunglasses!

So it's coming to common sense . Recreational flying within LOS even without a buddy box (but with spotter) should't be sanctioned .

OMG you are living in FPV hell ...10mw

Ahernar: I believe you too are under 10mW rule as a member of the EU If not, then you will become very soon Not that anyone will care ... but I'm just saying

Its just one big joke!

i have wrote to my MP, is better than just moaning about it!


i have invited my MP into my workshop and put on my fatsharks for him self!

Anything else we can do simon?