Modern-Aviation

Anyone wish to fly drones or model aircraft now need to comply with the new CAA legislation and laws within the UK. If you operate a model aircraft or drone (weighing more than 250g) outdoors, then you must be registered with the CAA and be able to provide documented evidence of competency.

The intended purpose of the DMARES is to educate modellers and drone operators of the basic rules and regulations which govern the safe flying of model aircraft and drones. Through the process, the CAA is also gathering data concerning the demographic and volume of operators and hobbyists who are actively flying inside the UK. As of 30 November 2019, it became law to have to register using this service on the CAA’s website for anyone flying a drone, unmanned aircraft or model aircraft weighing between 250g and 20kg.

The service is presented in the form of some very basic online learning information called the “The drone and model aircraft code” which outlines the regulations, followed by a 20 question multiple-choice test. As part of the process operators who are responsible for the aircraft are required to register for an “Operator ID” as well as a “Flyer ID” for each remote pilot. There is a nominal fee of £9 for this registration process and the registration is valid for a year and requires yearly renewal. An additional requirement once you've navigated your way through the process is to label all of your aircraft with the operator's unique Operator ID.

The Operator ID requires yearly renewal however the Flyer ID has a 5 year validity period.

An operator will need to supervise young children, however children still need to register for a flyer ID 1 year validity period with an annual charge of £9 (as dated March 2021)

The Dmares can be considered as the first stepping stone towards a structured qualification framework towards the A2CofC and the GVC qualifications of competency.