Drone pilots are liable to criminal prosecution if they fail to conduct a flight in a safe manner.
They can be punished with up to five years in prison if they recklessly endanger an aircraft. Users can also be prosecuted under the Air Navigation Order 2009 if they fly their drone beyond their line of sight, which is measured as 500 metres horizontally or 400 feet vertically.
Unmanned aircraft fitted with cameras must not be flown within 50 metres of people, vehicles, buildings or structures, or within 150 metres over a congested area or crowd of people such as at concerts and sporting events. Pilots are forbidden from flying drones near aircraft, airports and airfields. They must obtain permission from the Civil Aviation Authority before using a drone for commercial purposes.
In September last year a man was prosecuted for flying drones over Premier League football stadiums, the Houses of Parliament and near Buckingham Palace. Nigel Wilson, 42, from Nottingham, used the drones to shoot videos which he uploaded on to his YouTube channel. He was fined £1,800, the first time someone has been prosecuted for using drones following a police-led operation.
PA
