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Regulation · Operational restriction

UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework

The United Kingdom's drone (UAS) regulatory framework, administered by the Civil Aviation Authority: the Air Navigation Order 2016 plus the retained UK versions of EU Regulations 2019/947 (UAS Implementing Regulation) and 2019/945 (UAS Delegated Regulation), under the Basic Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and the Civil Aviation Act 1982. It sets the Open, Specific, and Certified operating categories; beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operation falls in the Specific category requiring Operational Authorisation, with the CAA's BVLOS programme targeting routine BVLOS by 2027 (the framework under which Wing operates in the UK).

Jurisdiction: United Kingdom · Effective 2016-08-25

Machine-readable surfaces

Sources (4)

  1. https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/regulations-consultations-and-policy-programmes/uk-regulatory-framework-for-drones-and-other-unmanned-aircraft/
  2. https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/regulations-consultations-and-policy-programmes/policy-programmes/beyond-visual-line-of-sight-bvlos/
  3. https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/765/contents
  4. https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=a173acfe-5e59-48b8-8545-db2a9c487017

Status history

  • In effect · 2016-08-25 · editor:DEPLOY content-agent (Sprint 5c-1 EU/Europe regs)

    UK CAA drone framework (ANO 2016 + retained UK Reg 2019/947) in effect; BVLOS via Specific-category Operational Authorisation.

Common questions

What does UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework cover?
The United Kingdom's drone (UAS) regulatory framework, administered by the Civil Aviation Authority: the Air Navigation Order 2016 plus the retained UK versions of EU Regulations 2019/947 (UAS Implementing Regulation) and 2019/945 (UAS Delegated Regulation), under the Basic Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 and the Civil Aviation Act 1982. It sets the Open, Specific, and Certified operating categories; beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operation falls in the Specific category requiring Operational Authorisation, with the CAA's BVLOS programme targeting routine BVLOS by 2027 (the framework under which Wing operates in the UK).
Where does UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework apply?
UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework is recorded as a operational_restriction applying in United Kingdom on the DEPLOY registry.
When did UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework take effect?
UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework is recorded as effective August 25, 2016 on the DEPLOY registry.
Is UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework still in effect?
UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework is currently in effect and applies to covered operators in the named jurisdiction.
What types of robots does UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework apply to?
UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework is recorded as applying to drones on the DEPLOY registry.
Which robot models on the DEPLOY registry fall under UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework?
8 robot models on the DEPLOY registry match the form-factor scope of UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework: A200-XT, AEVEX Strike Drone, AIR ONE, ALIA-250 and 4 others. Form-factor scope match does not by itself establish compliance status; review the underlying primary sources for each operator.
Methodology: Verified · 4 sources (no primary) · last reviewed 2026-05-31

Verification posture

Verified

Low confidence

Review state

Stable

Last reviewed 2026-05-31

Architectural position

Cohort: aerial

Sources by quality tier

4
unclassified
Unclassified source

The framework is documented at /methodology. Corrections at /corrections. Reviewer: DEPLOY editorial team.

Methodology surface for UK CAA drone (UAS) regulatory framework.

Canonical ID 630bcf9e-02d0-4e98-b584-74e0d681e3b8