License required to operate micro UAV's in the UK?

[robc450]

Just came across this today...

International safety management company MRL Eye, operated by MRL Ltd. in West Yorkshire, is the first company in the U.K. to be granted the rights to operate a "Robocopter" micro-UAV. This follows a series of groundings of the pilotless helicopter by U.K. police forces when the Civil Aviation Authority decided that one needs a license to fly the vehicle.

More info:
www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8132383.Meet____Robocopter____the_micro_UAV_which_provides_CCTV_footage_of_inaccessible_or_dangerous_locations/


I hope this doesn't affect X6 owners in the UK and I hope this "bright idea" doesn't spread.

[pulsey]

It's already happened. If you want to take photos in public areas or operate commercially, you need to be licenced by the CAA as of 1st January.

My Application has been in for about a month now, so don't expect them to move fast. Mind you, they cashed my cheque on 19th April, so they are efficient in some areas....

[pulsey]

My CAA Permission to fly arrived today, so no rush, then.

My personal take on it is that it gives me a competitive advantage over non-licenced operators and shows that I am a bit more serious about it all. I welcome the move.

My professional insurance states that I fly within CAA rules and I'm sure that that is a standard term, therefore those operating without a Permission may find their insurance is invalid.


Time to start plugging away to get some customers on board, I think.

[craig]

In NZ I can only get public liability insurance and cannot insure the Helicopter itself. The insurance you have in the UK...do you know if they insure internationally?

[pulsey]

Jul 12, 2010 17:23:18 GMT -5 craig said:

In NZ I can only get public liability insurance and cannot insure the Helicopter itself. The insurance you have in the UK...do you know if they insure internationally?

Gary Schofield Cert. CII | Sports Broker (Major Clients)
Perkins Slade Ltd. | 3 Broadway, Broad Street, Birmingham, B15 1BQ
Tel: [phone] | Fax: [phone] | www.perkins-slade.com

You can try is all I can say. Good luck.

[robc450]

Same insurance situation in Canada. Public liability only and no coverage for the helicopter.