Drone Novice

[ETAF]

what weight are you thinking of ?
also from Jan 26 the rules are changing for flying

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

what weight are you thinking of ?
also from Jan 26 the rules are changing for flying

No idea at all at the moment, I'm just weighing things up.

 

[ETAF]

OK,
so have a look at the new rules for drones , classification and weights from 2026 - dont buy a bargin , which maybe a problem from the law change in 2026 and hence why they are cheap

also the weight has an impact on what you can and cannot do legally

DJI Mini seems a popular model - 249g to get under the 250g limit on flying close to buildings etc, need an operator ID - BUT as i say thats changing in Jan 2026

I just happen to have been watching a lot of the Audits Video / facebook , youtube - where drone flyers pretty much setup to have arguments with the police and businesses just to show rights of drone flyers

 

[Mottie]

Operator ID is £11.79 for the year and from Jan 2026, every person flying any drone over 100g needs a pilot ID. They are free after taking an online test.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

And so - If the drone has a camera, there is no point in buying one less than 250gm, because 100gm to 25Kg all require both Operator ID and Pilot ID - come Jan 2026?

 

[ETAF]

there are other restrictions over 250g
flying over uninvolved people - this dispite a lot of searching not really clear about - and applies to a few categories now , including under 250g
distance from buildings
drones must emit a remote ID now - hence my comment on older drones on offer, as they have to by 2028 i think & this may take the weight over the 250g to add later
I'm still trying to get a clear understanding, as i was thinking of buying a drone

Before Jan 2026
under 250G (most you will see are - 249g)

you can take off from a public area - fly over premises as near as you like (there is privacy consideration and things like windows, safety ) , max height 120m - need to check any restrictions on flying , like Airports & Prisons
must not be over a crowd
Operator ID
and i think thats about it

BUT from Jan2026 that changes and I think the under 250 is still the same - PLUS now the pilot ID

have a look at DJ Audits videos, where he dilberatly winds up police and business - BUT it does give a clear understanding of the current rules

also this may be useful

UK Drone Laws 2026 Explained - What Every Pilot Must Know | UK Drone Guide

A detailed guide to the UK's new drone laws effective from 2026, covering class marks (UK0–UK6), Remote ID deadlines, registration thresholds, and updated Drone Code terminology.

droneguide.uk

Drone weight rules are about to change – if you thought you could get away without registering at 250g, think again!

All drone users face a change in the rules as the UK's Civil Aviation Authority's weight restriction drops from 250g (8.8oz) to just 100g (3.5oz)

www.digitalcameraworld.com

Introduction to more advanced flying | UK Civil Aviation Authority

What you need before you fly and how the categories work

www.caa.co.uk

 

[Mottie]

And so - If the drone has a camera, there is no point in buying one less than 250gm, because 100gm to 25Kg all require both Operator ID and Pilot ID - come Jan 2026?

I think there’s different regs as to where you can fly drones weighing over 250g

 

[Mottie]

I think current drones built/sold before the new regs come in force are exempt from having a remote ID until 2028

 

[ETAF]

I think current drones built/sold before the new regs come in force are exempt from having a remote ID until 2028

Yes but adding one may change the weight to over 250g - still not sure on the new rules for under 250g that and distance from building , its the flying over uninvolved people , that a bit open to interpretation, and seeing the issues (clearly some are looking for it) but some are not ... this may be a problem if flying over interesting buildings / companies / historic houses etc
i just had another facebook item, and shows rotas enclosed , which i think i saw mentioned as a 2026 thing as well

 

[ETAF]

this may help

Where you can fly | UK Civil Aviation Authority

Overview of the Open category; distances from people; line of sight; airspace rules; and insurance requirements

www.caa.co.uk

it used to be VLOS - which meant you could take your eyes OFF the drone to compose the images etc on the hand controller - NOW you cant it would appear
by this

First Person View (FPV) | UK Civil Aviation Authority

What you must do if you want to fly using FPV

www.caa.co.uk

i may be very wrong about this

 

[Elsa TLC]

This fella I see down the pub bores me all the time talking drones.
He goes on and on and on.

 

[Highway Man]

I think there’s different regs as to where you can fly drones weighing over 250g

There most certainly is, any hobbyist buying a drone for recreational purposes should be buying a drone under 250g. You are virtually free to fly as you like. No restrictions other than do a simple online course and get a flyer id. Over 250g you are looking at over complicating it and will get tied up with lots of rules.

 

[Koolpc]

My mate is into low level flying. He has his own special flight jacket...

 

[Elsa TLC]

My mate is into low level flying. He has his own special flight jacket...

View attachment 394894

Isn't that a dog?

 

[robinbanks]

Isn't that a dog?

No, it's a Harrier jump-pet