Unmanned Aircraft
Introduction
Unmanned aircraft are increasingly used for both recreation and for environmental research, monitoring and surveying. They are proving to be a valuable means of surveying sites that are otherwise inaccessible or very costly to survey, and there are now examples of their successful use to monitor areas such as remote breeding seabird colonies.
Definition
Unmanned aircraft refer to activities where participants operate small aerial vehicles via remote control. These can be arranged into the following definitions:
- Drones - Flying drones for recreational purposes
- Model Aircraft - Remote controlled planes and helicopters
- Research and commercial use of drones - Use of drones for either surveying or professional photography / film making
Where you can fly unmanned aircraft without needing our permission
There is no public right of access with unmanned aircraft to any part of the land that NRW manages.
When you’ll need permission from us
- Due to concern about the possible impact on other visitors and protected species, you will need to request our permission to fly any form of unmanned aircraft for recreation purposes on NRW managed land.
- You will always need permission for filming, research and commercial use of drones.
How we support people who want to use unmanned aircraft
- We will follow our Guiding Principles for community involvement with land that we manage.
- We will work with people using drones and model aircraft for recreational purposes to reasonably accommodate their activities, providing individual permission where we feel it will not impact on other visitors or nature conservation. It is unlikely that we will give permission to fly drones on the parts of NRW managed land that are protected for nature conservation.
- We will keep our position under review as the use, evidence and regulation of unmanned aircraft continues to develop.
What you’ll need to do
- Follow Countryside Code and the CAA’s Drone Code at all times. In addition to this, the CCA’s guidance on unmanned aircraft use outline that:
- Unmanned aircraft must never be flown beyond the normal unaided "line of sight" of the person operating it - this is generally measured as 500m horizontally or 120m vertically but this distance may be considerably less in forest and undulating environments.
- For reasons of safety and personal privacy, drones fitted with a camera must not be flown over or within 150 metres of any congested area or an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons (e.g. sporting event or concert); Within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft; or; Within 50 metres of any person except during take-off or landing, and within 30 metres of any person except for the person in charge of the aircraft.
- CAA permission is also required for all flights that are being conducted for commercial purposes.
- Adhere to all our signs. NRW managed land is a working environment and failure to follow safety signs can be dangerous for both unmanned aircraft operators and land managers.
- Never fly into the sightline of an operator of a vehicle, plant or machinery without their prior consent.
- Unmanned aircraft can have particular impact on birds, do not operate them around nesting areas, colonies, roosts and important feeding areas without our permission. Some species may require a specific licence to operate Unmanned Aircraft around, this will be highlighted during the permissions process if applicable.
- Respect that NRW managed land is used by members of the public for quiet recreation.
How you can apply for permission
It will normally take up to 12 weeks to assess an application and complete an internal consultation. This will make sure that your activity or event can be carried out safely without affecting others who are using or working on our land.
Apply for permission to film, organise an event or carry out an activity on our land
Who you can contact for more information
If you’d like further information, you can find out more using the following links: