Asking as a drone user and as someone who comes across drone users in my work setting.
Who can ask to see your Operator and Flyer ID?
Do you need to show insurance aswell?
What is the then reporting procedure for those without correct ID?
tbh nobody’s ever asked me for ID while out flying, always figured only the police or CAA could actually make you show it. Same sort of assumption people make with a winmasterscasino
too, until some rule around games or slots suddenly gets enforced and everyone starts checking the fine print.
Not sure but I think that the Police might have the power to see your Drone ID and if you are not breaking any Laws then I would show them it, then if they see you at a future time then I don’t think that they would ever bother you for no reason.
Who can ask to see your Operator ID and Flyer ID?
The relevant legislation and CAA requirements determine who is entitled to request identification. An Operator ID or Flyer ID should not be treated like a general-purpose identity document that a member of the public can demand to see. For example, simply because someone sees you operating a drone does not automatically give them the right to demand your personal details or documentation.
It is similar to driving a car: the fact that you are driving does not mean you are required to show your driving licence to every member of the public who asks. There needs to be a legitimate legal or regulatory basis for requesting it.
Do you also need to show insurance?
This should depend on the circumstances and the legal requirements applicable to the particular drone operation. Where insurance is legally required, or where an authorised person has a lawful reason to establish compliance, the appropriate evidence may need to be provided. However, that does not mean insurance documents should automatically be shown to anyone who asks.
What is the reporting procedure for someone without the correct ID?
If there is a genuine concern that someone is operating a drone without the required Operator ID or Flyer ID, the appropriate course is to report the matter to the relevant authority, rather than attempting to act as an enforcement officer yourself. The report should contain factual information such as the date, time, location, description of the drone/operator, and what was actually observed. The relevant authority can then determine whether an offence or regulatory breach has occurred and take whatever action is appropriate.
Im new to the new regulations and i can see the point behind it all, the test and the operator license and public liability insurance but then if it isnt policed properly then what is the point in it all.
The job i work thefts are high and they can only be done by people using drones to scan areas for targets and you can just guarantee that they have no credentials tied to the drone or to themselves
Personally I would only ever show it if the police insist and even then they would have to prove that they have ‘justifiable cause’ to ask ( in the same way that if you were suspected of speeding, to see your driving licence)
Anyone who talks to or questions a pilot , be at a registered drone, or a 747, is # breaking the law # and I have told people that!
Geeksvana have done a fantastic job producing leaflets to have sitting on your flight back. Comes in black and white or color, there is a clear set of guidelines for people to read, with the QR code to the CAA for further information too.
The leaflets come into varieties one for the general public and one for the police.
Print them and simply offer interfering people to take a leaflet, and you will speak to them after. If they continue telling to call the police because you will happily tell them that THEY are interfering with a pilot who is on legal flight. If they continue land safely and call the police yourself.
Also have a body cam even a cheap £10 from Temu. Seriously, it shoes 1, the authority , 2, the right to be there, and 3, use in case something develops.
I hope that has taken to be sound advice - the authorized pilot in charge of a flight is the LEGAL standpoint.
However advice from geeksvana also says that it is much simpler to land, move a short distance away, e.g. around the coast, and start again.
That approach is a lot easier but also gives you the time to set out the leaftlets, and to actually pin the body cam on your lapel and press record !
Also just a little note on flying Vs take off and Landing, prompted by other recent comments re ‘council rules,’
Bear in mind that nobody, including the council, can just stick a no drones sign up. There has to be an actual bylaw (officially passed, not just a preference or recommendation).
Re the police situation, above, if you are in the wrong (accidentally or deliberately ) the police are more likely to just ask you to move on, rather than start taking you down to the station! You can say sorry and hope you don’t meet them again, and simply point out that there are five dogs not on leeches and you would lightly expect them to deal with those as well. A bit cheeky but… Unless of course you have crashed, caused damaged or damgerous eg disturb the peace.
Gee, that was a long one, I hope it helps
