The CAA has announced some positive changes to obtain a commercial certificate. One of the more positive aspect is that you can now operate any drone within an allloted weight category. This means your certificate isn't tied to one specific model (which was daft IMO). There is also some recognition for those who hold BMFA certification. Anyhow, here is the update:

On Friday afternoon the CAA published a new information notice titled "SUA: UK National Qualified Entity Approvals and Pilot Competency Requirements". You can find a link taking you to the pdf on the website at the bottom of this email. Major changes identified within the publication are changes to Permission for Aerial Work itself. Previously, a Permission granted by the CAA would be specific to the type and model of aircraft individuals passed their flight assessment on. Now a Permission will be given for a class.

SUA classes will be broken into:
(a) SUA multi-rotor with a maximum take off mass (MTOM) not exceeding 7kg
(b) SUA multi-rotor with a MTOM greater than 7kg but not exceeding 20kg
(c) SUA fixed-wing with a MTOM not exceeding 7kg
(d) SUA fixed-wing with a MTOM greater than 7kg but not exceeding 20kg

"Within each class, the applicant will be free to vary or add SUA as they wish without the requirement to undertake a practical flight assessment for each individual machine or when adding or changing to a new type (model). Both categories of NQE should make their recommendations to the CAA in one or more of the above classes. Existing Permissions, although currently listing individual aircraft, will automatically have the same privileges."

Another major change to gaining Permission for Aerial Work takes into account formal aviation qualifications and hobbyist certificates. Now anyone holding a license listed below will no longer be required to complete the theoretical knowledge requirement, but still need to take the initial practical flight assessment as well submit an operations manual to the CAA for approval. Additionally, you will still be required to evidence recent flying experience. The requirement is 2 hours total flight experience logged within the last 3 calendar months on the class of SUA for which a Permission is being sought. Pilots may self-certify through logbook entries.

(a) current EASA, fixed-wing, helicopter, or microlight license
(b) current UK National fixed-wing, helicopter, or microlight license
(c) UK Military pilot/remote pilot or RPAS operator qualification (applicable where basic flight training has been carried out in non segregated UK airspace)
RAF VGS Instructor qualifications commencing at G1 Instructor level are also acceptable
(d) British Gliding Association (BGA) Bronze 'C' and above (or EASA equivalent)


For those holding a BMFA 'A' or 'B' certificates you will not have to complete the theoretical knowledge requirement, or take the initial practical flight assessment. A helicopter certificate will be accepted for multi-rotors, but you will still be required to evidence recent flying experience (2 hours total flight experience logged within the last 3 calendar months on the class of SUA for which a Permission is being sought, pilots may self-certify through logbook entries) as well as submit an operations manual to the CAA for approval.

Those holding a non-UK SUA/RPAS qualification/license or other lapsed pilot licenses or certificates will need to be assessed by the CAA on a case-by-case basis.

The CAA requests any queries to the new Information Notice be addressed to: FOD.Admin@caa.co.uk

http://www.caa.co.uk/application ... d=6623&filter=1

The CAA has announced some positive changes to obtain a commercial certificate. One of the more positive aspect is that you can now operate any drone within an allloted weight category. This means your certificate isn't tied to one specific model (which was daft IMO). There is also some recognition for those who hold BMFA certification. Anyhow, here is the update:

On Friday afternoon the CAA published a new information notice titled "SUA: UK National Qualified Entity Approvals and Pilot Competency Requirements". You can find a link taking you to the pdf on the website at the bottom of this email. Major changes identified within the publication are changes to Permission for Aerial Work itself. Previously, a Permission granted by the CAA would be specific to the type and model of aircraft individuals passed their flight assessment on. Now a Permission will be given for a class.

SUA classes will be broken into:
(a) SUA multi-rotor with a maximum take off mass (MTOM) not exceeding 7kg
(b) SUA multi-rotor with a MTOM greater than 7kg but not exceeding 20kg
(c) SUA fixed-wing with a MTOM not exceeding 7kg
(d) SUA fixed-wing with a MTOM greater than 7kg but not exceeding 20kg

"Within each class, the applicant will be free to vary or add SUA as they wish without the requirement to undertake a practical flight assessment for each individual machine or when adding or changing to a new type (model). Both categories of NQE should make their recommendations to the CAA in one or more of the above classes. Existing Permissions, although currently listing individual aircraft, will automatically have the same privileges."

Another major change to gaining Permission for Aerial Work takes into account formal aviation qualifications and hobbyist certificates. Now anyone holding a license listed below will no longer be required to complete the theoretical knowledge requirement, but still need to take the initial practical flight assessment as well submit an operations manual to the CAA for approval. Additionally, you will still be required to evidence recent flying experience. The requirement is 2 hours total flight experience logged within the last 3 calendar months on the class of SUA for which a Permission is being sought. Pilots may self-certify through logbook entries.

(a) current EASA, fixed-wing, helicopter, or microlight license
(b) current UK National fixed-wing, helicopter, or microlight license
(c) UK Military pilot/remote pilot or RPAS operator qualification (applicable where basic flight training has been carried out in non segregated UK airspace)
RAF VGS Instructor qualifications commencing at G1 Instructor level are also acceptable
(d) British Gliding Association (BGA) Bronze 'C' and above (or EASA equivalent)


For those holding a BMFA 'A' or 'B' certificates you will not have to complete the theoretical knowledge requirement, or take the initial practical flight assessment. A helicopter certificate will be accepted for multi-rotors, but you will still be required to evidence recent flying experience (2 hours total flight experience logged within the last 3 calendar months on the class of SUA for which a Permission is being sought, pilots may self-certify through logbook entries) as well as submit an operations manual to the CAA for approval.

Those holding a non-UK SUA/RPAS qualification/license or other lapsed pilot licenses or certificates will need to be assessed by the CAA on a case-by-case basis.

The CAA requests any queries to the new Information Notice be addressed to: FOD.Admin@caa.co.uk

http://www.caa.co.uk/application ... d=6623&filter=1