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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/jan/25/who-can-fly-drones-uk-airspace
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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Revealed: who can fly drones in UK airspace | Revealed: who can fly drones in UK airspace |
| (8 days later) | |
| Defence firms, police forces and fire services are among more than 130 organisations that have permission to fly small drones in UK airspace, the Guardian can reveal. | Defence firms, police forces and fire services are among more than 130 organisations that have permission to fly small drones in UK airspace, the Guardian can reveal. |
| The Civil Aviation Authority list of companies and groups that have sought approval for the use of the unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, has not been published before – and it reflects the way the technology is now being used. The BBC, the National Grid and several universities are now certified to use them – as is Video Golf Marketing, which provides fly-over videos of golf courses. | The Civil Aviation Authority list of companies and groups that have sought approval for the use of the unmanned aerial vehicles, UAVs, has not been published before – and it reflects the way the technology is now being used. The BBC, the National Grid and several universities are now certified to use them – as is Video Golf Marketing, which provides fly-over videos of golf courses. |
| Including multiple or expired licences, the CAA has granted approval to fly small UAVs more than 160 times. | Including multiple or expired licences, the CAA has granted approval to fly small UAVs more than 160 times. |
| "People are going to see more and more of these small vehicles operating around the country," said John Moreland, general secretary of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association (UAVS), a trade body with more than 100 members. "There are any number of uses for them, and the technology is getting easier to use and cheaper all the time. These vehicles can operate anywhere in the UK, within reason." | "People are going to see more and more of these small vehicles operating around the country," said John Moreland, general secretary of the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Systems Association (UAVS), a trade body with more than 100 members. "There are any number of uses for them, and the technology is getting easier to use and cheaper all the time. These vehicles can operate anywhere in the UK, within reason." |
| However, privacy campaigners have grave concerns about the proliferation of the technology and want an urgent review of regulations. "The increasing use of drones by private companies and government bodies poses a unique set of problems," said Eric King, head of research at campaign group Privacy International. | However, privacy campaigners have grave concerns about the proliferation of the technology and want an urgent review of regulations. "The increasing use of drones by private companies and government bodies poses a unique set of problems," said Eric King, head of research at campaign group Privacy International. |
| "The CAA considers health and safety issues when deciding whether or not to grant licences to operate drone technology, but this is a very low bar. We need new regulation to ensure privacy and other civil liberties are also taken into account during the decision-making process." | "The CAA considers health and safety issues when deciding whether or not to grant licences to operate drone technology, but this is a very low bar. We need new regulation to ensure privacy and other civil liberties are also taken into account during the decision-making process." |
| In the last two years the CAA has required anyone who wants to fly a small UAV in British airspace to apply for permission. The aircraft must weigh less than 20kg and operators have to abide by certain rules. These include not flying them higher than 122 metres (400ft), or further away from the operator than 500 metres – this is deemed the pilot's "line of sight". | In the last two years the CAA has required anyone who wants to fly a small UAV in British airspace to apply for permission. The aircraft must weigh less than 20kg and operators have to abide by certain rules. These include not flying them higher than 122 metres (400ft), or further away from the operator than 500 metres – this is deemed the pilot's "line of sight". |
| The CAA list shows that three police forces, Merseyside, Staffordshire and Essex, have permission to use UAVs, as do three fire services, Dorset, West Midlands and Hampshire. | The CAA list shows that three police forces, Merseyside, Staffordshire and Essex, have permission to use UAVs, as do three fire services, Dorset, West Midlands and Hampshire. |
| Some of Europe's biggest defence companies can also fly them, including BAE Systems, Qinetiq and missile manufacturer MBDA. A company that supplies UAVs and other equipment to the Ministry of Defence, Marlborough Communications, is also registered, along with crime-scene and counter-terrorism specialist GWR & Associates. | Some of Europe's biggest defence companies can also fly them, including BAE Systems, Qinetiq and missile manufacturer MBDA. A company that supplies UAVs and other equipment to the Ministry of Defence, Marlborough Communications, is also registered, along with crime-scene and counter-terrorism specialist GWR & Associates. |
| Shane Knight, a spokesman for Marlborough, said: "If you can put these systems up in the sky, and they are safe, then they have many uses. If you are a police force, a fire or ambulance service, and, for instance, you are responding to a large fire, then you have a choice of sending out your people to do reconnaissance of an area, or you could use one of these small UAVs. Why put people in danger when you can use one of these systems? These UAVs are getting much better, and much smaller." | Shane Knight, a spokesman for Marlborough, said: "If you can put these systems up in the sky, and they are safe, then they have many uses. If you are a police force, a fire or ambulance service, and, for instance, you are responding to a large fire, then you have a choice of sending out your people to do reconnaissance of an area, or you could use one of these small UAVs. Why put people in danger when you can use one of these systems? These UAVs are getting much better, and much smaller." |
| The National Grid uses them to inspect power lines, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency wants one to patrol and photograph remote areas, said Susan Stevens, a scientist in the agency's marine ecology department. "The UAV equipment is currently being trialled," she said. | The National Grid uses them to inspect power lines, while the Scottish Environment Protection Agency wants one to patrol and photograph remote areas, said Susan Stevens, a scientist in the agency's marine ecology department. "The UAV equipment is currently being trialled," she said. |
| "As an operational service it will have many uses, such as capturing aerial imagery of estuaries, wetlands and riverbanks, and to provide a snapshot of the environment before and after development work," she said. | "As an operational service it will have many uses, such as capturing aerial imagery of estuaries, wetlands and riverbanks, and to provide a snapshot of the environment before and after development work," she said. |
| Moreland said the unmanned systems suffered from the perception that they were all "killer robots" flying in the sky, but he thought this would diminish as the public got used to seeing them. | Moreland said the unmanned systems suffered from the perception that they were all "killer robots" flying in the sky, but he thought this would diminish as the public got used to seeing them. |
| "We are going to see all sorts of systems coming out over the years," he said. "The operating bubble is going to expand like mad. Some of these systems will be able to look after themselves, and others will rely on the quality of the operators. | "We are going to see all sorts of systems coming out over the years," he said. "The operating bubble is going to expand like mad. Some of these systems will be able to look after themselves, and others will rely on the quality of the operators. |
| "You don't have to be a qualified pilot … The person could come from a modelling background, or he may be a video game player. There are plenty of people you could imagine being able to control these systems in a delicate way." | "You don't have to be a qualified pilot … The person could come from a modelling background, or he may be a video game player. There are plenty of people you could imagine being able to control these systems in a delicate way." |
| Gordon Slack, who owns Video Golf Marketing, said he had taught himself to use his UAV. "Once you know how to operate it, it is not too complicated. We've done six videos for golf courses, with a few more in the pipeline." | Gordon Slack, who owns Video Golf Marketing, said he had taught himself to use his UAV. "Once you know how to operate it, it is not too complicated. We've done six videos for golf courses, with a few more in the pipeline." |
| However, Chris Cole, the founder of the Drone Wars UK website, also raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties. "While companies and regulators are putting in place the technologies, procedures and regulations that will see drones routinely fly over our heads, they appear to be washing their hands of the consequent and obvious impact on privacy and civil liberties," he said. | However, Chris Cole, the founder of the Drone Wars UK website, also raised concerns about privacy and civil liberties. "While companies and regulators are putting in place the technologies, procedures and regulations that will see drones routinely fly over our heads, they appear to be washing their hands of the consequent and obvious impact on privacy and civil liberties," he said. |
| "We are already under huge amounts of surveillance when we are in public. Unless we are vigilant, drones will see surveillance – by police and security agencies or simply by private companies – spread into our private space." | "We are already under huge amounts of surveillance when we are in public. Unless we are vigilant, drones will see surveillance – by police and security agencies or simply by private companies – spread into our private space." |
| King added: "The British government's abject failure to recognise and address the human rights issues involved in the increasing ubiquity of surveillance drones has created a huge potential for abuse." | King added: "The British government's abject failure to recognise and address the human rights issues involved in the increasing ubiquity of surveillance drones has created a huge potential for abuse." |
| Bigger UAVs can be flown only in restricted airspace. The military has permission to fly UAVs in certain areas, but otherwise, the testing of the larger systems takes place at the privately owned West Wales airport, which says it is "the only site in Europe that can enable the flying of unmanned aerial systems under regulated conditions … over land and sea". | Bigger UAVs can be flown only in restricted airspace. The military has permission to fly UAVs in certain areas, but otherwise, the testing of the larger systems takes place at the privately owned West Wales airport, which says it is "the only site in Europe that can enable the flying of unmanned aerial systems under regulated conditions … over land and sea". |
| Organisations seeking approval to fly small UAVs in UK airspace | Organisations seeking approval to fly small UAVs in UK airspace |
| (Owner ID number/Company name) | (Owner ID number/Company name) |
| 1 HoverCam | 1 HoverCam |
| 2 Meggitt Defence Systems | 2 Meggitt Defence Systems |
| 3 EagleEye (Aerial Photography) Ltd | 3 EagleEye (Aerial Photography) Ltd |
| 4 Remote Services Limited | 4 Remote Services Limited |
| 5 High Spy RC Aerial Photography | 5 High Spy RC Aerial Photography |
| 6 Magsurvey Limited | 6 Magsurvey Limited |
| 7 Pi In The Sky | 7 Pi In The Sky |
| 8 Qinetiq | 8 Qinetiq |
| 9 Eye In The Sky | 9 Eye In The Sky |
| 10 AngleCam | 10 AngleCam |
| 11 Helicam Ltd | 11 Helicam Ltd |
| 12 Flying Minicameras Ltd | 12 Flying Minicameras Ltd |
| 13 S & C Thermofluids Ltd | 13 S & C Thermofluids Ltd |
| 14 Remote Airworks (pty) Ltd | 14 Remote Airworks (pty) Ltd |
| 15 National Grid | 15 National Grid |
| 16 Dragonfly Aerial Photography | 16 Dragonfly Aerial Photography |
| 17 BlueBear Systems Research | 17 BlueBear Systems Research |
| 18 William Walker | 18 William Walker |
| 19 European UAV Systems Centre Ltd | 19 European UAV Systems Centre Ltd |
| 20 In-House Films Ltd | 20 In-House Films Ltd |
| 21 MBDA UK Ltd | 21 MBDA UK Ltd |
| 22 European UAV Systems Centre | 22 European UAV Systems Centre |
| 23 Dorset Fire & Rescue Service | 23 Dorset Fire & Rescue Service |
| 24 Conocophillips Limited | 24 Conocophillips Limited |
| 25 Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service | 25 Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service |
| 26 West Midlands Fire Service | 26 West Midlands Fire Service |
| 27 Advanced Ceramics Research | 27 Advanced Ceramics Research |
| 28 UA Systems Ltd (Swisscopter) | 28 UA Systems Ltd (Swisscopter) |
| 29 Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd | 29 Hybrid Air Vehicles Ltd |
| 30 Flight Refuelling Limited | 30 Flight Refuelling Limited |
| 31 BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd | 31 BAE Systems (Operations) Ltd |
| 32 Lindstrand Technologies Ltd | 32 Lindstrand Technologies Ltd |
| 33 Upper Cut Productions | 33 Upper Cut Productions |
| 34 Cranfield University | 34 Cranfield University |
| 35 Peregrine Media Ltd | 35 Peregrine Media Ltd |
| 36 Horizon Aerial Photography | 36 Horizon Aerial Photography |
| 37 Rory Game | 37 Rory Game |
| 38 Alan Stevens | 38 Alan Stevens |
| 39 Helipix LLP | 39 Helipix LLP |
| 40 Re-use* | 40 Re-use* |
| 41 Mike Garner | 41 Mike Garner |
| 42 Cyberhawk Innovations Ltd | 42 Cyberhawk Innovations Ltd |
| 43 Staffordshire Police TPU | 43 Staffordshire Police TPU |
| 44 Merseyside Police | 44 Merseyside Police |
| 45 Health and Safety Laboratory | 45 Health and Safety Laboratory |
| 46 David Hogg | 46 David Hogg |
| 47 MRL Ltd | 47 MRL Ltd |
| 48 MRL Ltd | 48 MRL Ltd |
| 49 Re-use* | 49 Re-use* |
| 50 Dominic Blundell | 50 Dominic Blundell |
| 51 Re-use* | 51 Re-use* |
| 52 Re-use* | 52 Re-use* |
| 53 Skylens Aerial Photography | 53 Skylens Aerial Photography |
| 54 Bonningtons Aerial Surveys | 54 Bonningtons Aerial Surveys |
| 55 Small UAV Enterprises | 55 Small UAV Enterprises |
| 56 British Technical Films | 56 British Technical Films |
| 57 CARVEC Systems Ltd | 57 CARVEC Systems Ltd |
| 58 Flying-Scots'Cam | 58 Flying-Scots'Cam |
| 59 Pulse Corporation Ltd (t/a Overshoot Photography) | 59 Pulse Corporation Ltd (t/a Overshoot Photography) |
| 60 Motor Bird Ltd | 60 Motor Bird Ltd |
| 61 Advanced Aerial Imagery | 61 Advanced Aerial Imagery |
| 62 AM-UAS Limited | 62 AM-UAS Limited |
| 63 Re-use* | 63 Re-use* |
| 64 Gatewing NV | 64 Gatewing NV |
| 65 Questuav Ltd | 65 Questuav Ltd |
| 66 Advanced UAV Technology Ltd | 66 Advanced UAV Technology Ltd |
| 67 Air 2 Air | 67 Air 2 Air |
| 68 MW Power Systems Limited | 68 MW Power Systems Limited |
| 69 Re-use* | 69 Re-use* |
| 70 Roke Manor Research Ltd | 70 Roke Manor Research Ltd |
| 71 Re-use* | 71 Re-use* |
| 72 NPIA | 72 NPIA |
| 73 Pete Ulrick | 73 Pete Ulrick |
| 74 Re-use* | 74 Re-use* |
| 75 SSE Power Distribution | 75 SSE Power Distribution |
| 76 University of Worcester | 76 University of Worcester |
| 77 Re-use* | 77 Re-use* |
| 78 Rovision Ltd | 78 Rovision Ltd |
| 79 Callen-Lenz Associates Ltd (Gubua Group) | 79 Callen-Lenz Associates Ltd (Gubua Group) |
| 80 SKM Studio | 80 SKM Studio |
| 81 GWR Associates | 81 GWR Associates |
| 82 Phoenix Model Aviation | 82 Phoenix Model Aviation |
| 83 Copycat | 83 Copycat |
| 84 HD Skycam | 84 HD Skycam |
| 85 Re-use* | 85 Re-use* |
| 86 Gary White | 86 Gary White |
| 87 Aerial Target Systems Ltd | 87 Aerial Target Systems Ltd |
| 88 Aerial Target Systems | 88 Aerial Target Systems |
| 89 Re-use* | 89 Re-use* |
| 90 Video Golf Marketing Ltd | 90 Video Golf Marketing Ltd |
| 91 Re-use* | 91 Re-use* |
| 92 Helivisuals Ltd | 92 Helivisuals Ltd |
| 93 Essex Police | 93 Essex Police |
| 94 Marlborough Comms Ltd | 94 Marlborough Comms Ltd |
| 95 Re-use* | 95 Re-use* |
| 96 Siemans Wind Power A/S | 96 Siemans Wind Power A/S |
| 97 Altimeter UK Ltd t/a Visionair | 97 Altimeter UK Ltd t/a Visionair |
| 98 T/A Remote Imaging | 98 T/A Remote Imaging |
| 99 Re-use* | 99 Re-use* |
| 100 Daniel Baker | 100 Daniel Baker |
| 101 Sky Futures | 101 Sky Futures |
| 102 Aerovironment Inc | 102 Aerovironment Inc |
| 103 Spherical Images Ltd | 103 Spherical Images Ltd |
| 104 Flying Camera Systems | 104 Flying Camera Systems |
| 105 Highviz Photography | 105 Highviz Photography |
| 106 ESDM Ltd | 106 ESDM Ltd |
| 107 Flying Camera Systems Limited | 107 Flying Camera Systems Limited |
| 108 Edward Martin | 108 Edward Martin |
| 109 Digital Mapping and Survey Ltd | 109 Digital Mapping and Survey Ltd |
| 110 EDF NNB GenCo Ltd | 110 EDF NNB GenCo Ltd |
| 111 EDF | 111 EDF |
| 112 Re-use* | 112 Re-use* |
| 113 AerialVue Ltd | 113 AerialVue Ltd |
| 114 Minerva NI Limited | 114 Minerva NI Limited |
| 115 Flying Fern Films Ltd | 115 Flying Fern Films Ltd |
| 116 Out Filming Ltd | 116 Out Filming Ltd |
| 117 Hexcam Ltd | 117 Hexcam Ltd |
| 118 McKenzie Geospatial Surveys Ltd | 118 McKenzie Geospatial Surveys Ltd |
| 119 Resource UAS | 119 Resource UAS |
| 120 Plum Pictures | 120 Plum Pictures |
| 121 Jonathan Malory | 121 Jonathan Malory |
| 122 Mas-UK Ltd | 122 Mas-UK Ltd |
| 123 Bailey Balloons Ltd | 123 Bailey Balloons Ltd |
| 124 David Bush | 124 David Bush |
| 125 Southampton University | 125 Southampton University |
| 126 Helipov | 126 Helipov |
| 127 Costain Ltd | 127 Costain Ltd |
| 128 Sky-Futures | 128 Sky-Futures |
| 129 Jonathan Blaxill | 129 Jonathan Blaxill |
| 130 Roke Manor Research Ltd | 130 Roke Manor Research Ltd |
| 131 Colin Bailie | 131 Colin Bailie |
| 132 British Broadcasting Corp | 132 British Broadcasting Corp |
| 133 Simon Hailey | 133 Simon Hailey |
| 134 Re-use* | 134 Re-use* |
| 135 Trimvale Aviation | 135 Trimvale Aviation |
| 136 PSH Skypower Ltd | 136 PSH Skypower Ltd |
| 137 Aerosight Ltd | 137 Aerosight Ltd |
| 171 Re-use* | 171 Re-use* |
| 173 Colin Bailie | 173 Colin Bailie |
| 174 Simon Field | 174 Simon Field |
| 175 Re-use* | 175 Re-use* |
| 176 Aerial Graphical Services | 176 Aerial Graphical Services |
| 177 Think Aerial Photography | 177 Think Aerial Photography |
| 178 Hedge Air Limited | 178 Hedge Air Limited |
| 179 Scottish Environment Protection Agency | 179 Scottish Environment Protection Agency |
| 180 Skypower Limited | 180 Skypower Limited |
| 181 Elevation Images | 181 Elevation Images |
| 182 Universal Sky Pictures | 182 Universal Sky Pictures |
| 183 MBDA UK Ltd | 183 MBDA UK Ltd |
| 184 Helicammedia | 184 Helicammedia |
| 185 Oculus Systems Ltd | 185 Oculus Systems Ltd |
| 186 MASA Ltd | 186 MASA Ltd |
| 187 Doozee Aerial Systems Ltd | 187 Doozee Aerial Systems Ltd |
| 188 Selex Galileo | 188 Selex Galileo |
| 189 Whisperdrone | 189 Whisperdrone |
| 190 Z-Axis | 190 Z-Axis |
| 191 Rotarama Ltd | 191 Rotarama Ltd |
| 192 Re-use* | 192 Re-use* |
| 193 BBC (Natural History Unit) | 193 BBC (Natural History Unit) |
| 194 Flying Camera Company | 194 Flying Camera Company |
| 195 Flying Camera Company | 195 Flying Camera Company |
| * Short-term approval that was granted, but now no longer applies | * Short-term approval that was granted, but now no longer applies |
| Source: CAA | Source: CAA |
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