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Subject to rule 102.21, this Subpart applies to—
(1) remotely piloted aircraft; and
(2) control line model aircraft; and
(3) free flight model aircraft.
In this Subpart, an approved person or organisation means a person or organisation having appropriate expertise in the design, construction or operation of remotely piloted aircraft, or appropriate knowledge of airspace designations and restrictions, and who has been approved by the Director to perform one or more of the following specified functions:
(1) issuing a pilot qualification for operating remotely piloted aircraft; or
(2) appointing persons to give instruction to operators of remotely piloted aircraft; or
(3) authorising a person to notify the aeronautical information service provider, for the issue of a NOTAM, of remotely piloted aircraft operations; or
(4) authorising the construction or modification of remotely piloted aircraft greater than 15kg (but not greater than 25kg); or
(5) inspecting and approving the construction of a remotely piloted aircraft greater than 15kg (but not greater than 25kg); or
(6) authorising the operation of a remotely piloted aircraft greater than 15kg (but not greater than 25kg).
A person must not operate a control line model aircraft with a single or multiple wire system longer than 30m.
(a) A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft or a free flight model aircraft on or within 4 km from the boundary of—
(1) an uncontrolled aerodrome, unless—
(i) the operation is undertaken in accordance with an agreement with the aerodrome operator; and
(ii) in the case of a free flight model aircraft, the aircraft is launched downwind of an active runway; and
(iii) in the case of a remotely piloted aircraft –
(A) each pilot has an observer in attendance while the aircraft is in flight; and
(B) the aircraft is not operated at a height of more than 400 feet above ground level unless the operator has been approved by the Director to operate the aircraft above 400 feet above ground level; and
(2) a controlled aerodrome, unless it is operated in accordance with an authorisation from the relevant ATC unit; and
(3) any aerodrome, unless the person—
(i) is the holder of, or is under the direct supervision of the holder of, a pilot qualification issued by an approved person or organisation (see rule 101.202); or
(ii) is under the direct supervision of a person appointed to give instruction in the operation of remotely piloted aircraft by an approved person or organisation (see rule 101.202); or
(iii) is the holder of a pilot licence or certificate issued under Part 61 or Part 149.
(b) A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft, a control line model aircraft or a free flight model aircraft—
(1) on or over any active movement area of an aerodrome; or
(2) on or over any active runway strip area.
(c) Paragraph (a) does not apply to a shielded operation that is conducted—
(1) outside of the boundary of the aerodrome; and
(2) in airspace that is physically separated from the aerodrome by a barrier that is capable of arresting the flight of the aircraft.
(d) Paragraph (a)(3) does not apply to a free flight model aircraft.
(a) A person operating a remotely piloted aircraft must—
(1) unless operating in a danger area under Part 71, avoid operating—
(i) in airspace above persons who have not given consent for the aircraft to operate in that airspace; and
(ii) above property unless prior consent has been obtained from any persons occupying that property or the property owner; and
(2) maintain observation of the surrounding airspace in which the aircraft is operating for other aircraft; and
(3) not operate the aircraft at any height above 400 feet above ground level except in accordance with paragraph (c).
(b) Nothing in paragraph (a) requires a person to obtain consent from any person if operating—
(1) under the authority of an approved organisation; and
(2) in airspace used by that organisation before 1 August 2015.
(c) A person operating a remotely piloted aircraft more than 4 km from an aerodrome boundary and above 400 feet above ground level must —
(1) operate in a danger area designated for that purpose under Part 71; or
(2) ensure that the operation remains within Class G airspace and that at least 24 hours before the operation, a person authorised by an approved person or organisation (see rule 101.202), notifies the aeronautical information service provider, for the issue of a NOTAM, of the following information:
(i) the name, address, and telephone number of the operator:
(ii) the location of the proposed operation:
(iii) the date, time and duration of the proposed operation:
(iv) the maximum height above ground level proposed for the aircraft operation.
(a) This rule applies to the following types of aircraft:
(1) a remotely piloted aircraft:
(2) a free flight model aircraft.
(b) A person must not operate an aircraft to which this rule applies in—
(1) any area in which the person’s view of the surrounding airspace in which the aircraft will operate is obstructed; or
(2) meteorological conditions that obstruct the person’s ability to maintain visual line of sight of the aircraft.
(c) A person who operates an aircraft to which this rule applies must at all times—
(1) maintain visual line of sight with the aircraft; and
(2) be able to see the surrounding airspace in which the aircraft is operating; and
(3) operate the aircraft below the cloud base.
(d) For the purposes of this rule visual line of sight means a straight line along which an observer has a clear view and which may be achieved with the use of—
(1) spectacles, contact lenses, or a similar device used to correct subnormal vision of the user to no better than normal vision but not the use of an electronic, mechanical, electromagnetic, optical, or electro-optical instrument; or
(2) a first person view system and a trained and competent observer who maintains—
(i) visual line of sight of the aircraft; and
(ii) sight of the surrounding airspace in which the aircraft is operating; and
(iii) direct communication with the person who is operating the aircraft.
A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft or free flight model aircraft at night unless the operation is—
(1) indoors; or
(2) a shielded operation.
(a) A person who is operating a remotely piloted aircraft or a control line model aircraft must ensure the aircraft that the person is operating gives way to, and remains clear of, all manned aircraft on the ground and in flight.
(b) A person who is operating a free flight model aircraft must before launching the aircraft ensure that during the operation the aircraft will remain clear of all manned aircraft on the ground and in flight.
(a) A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft, a control line model aircraft or a free flight model aircraft with a gross mass of more than 25 kg.
(b) A person must not operate a remotely piloted aircraft with a gross mass of between 15 kg and 25 kg unless the aircraft, and any modification made to it, is—
(1) constructed under the authority of, or inspected and approved by, an approved person or organisation defined in rule 101.202; and
(2) operated under the authority of an approved person or organisation (see rule 101.202).
