What’s Changed?
From January 1st, 2026 drones used on UK productions are no longer treated as lightweight filming tools. In law, they are unmanned aircraft, regardless of weight.
For productions this shifts the focus to operational risk: where the drone is flown, who is nearby – and the drone’s proximity to them. How these risks are managed often matters more than the size of the aircraft itself.
Under CAA rules:
- Closing a set does not automatically make a drone flight legal: a closed set controls access, not aviation risk – so drone flights must still meet the rules, particularly those regarding proximity to people.
- Flying near people is treated very differently from flying over or away from them.
- You’re allowed to fly only if the people nearby are accounted for and protected.
For productions this means more planning, better risk assessments, clearer accountability – and therefore fewer last-minute drone decisions.
At A Glance:
| Change | Details | Impact on Productions |
|---|---|---|
| Lower weight threshold for regulation (100g) | On January 1st 2026, the weight at which a pilot must pass the online theory test and hold a Flyer ID dropped from 250g to 100g. | Many drones that previously felt ‘too small to matter’ are now regulated. Any department proposing drone use must assume formal compliance, even for quick pickups, inserts, or lightweight First Person View (FPV) shots. Size alone is no longer a justification. |
| Flyer ID and Operator ID required at lower weights | If a drone weighs 100g or more and has a camera, you’ll also need an Operator ID. This requirement previously applied mainly above 250g. | Productions must ensure the remote pilot holds a valid Flyer ID and that the production (or a nominated entity) holds the Operator ID. This is now a production responsibility, not just a pilot issue. The Operator ID must be correctly displayed on the aircraft and must correspond to the organisation or individual legally responsible for its operation. |
| UK Class Mark system introduced (UK0–UK6) | A UK class mark system (UK0–UK6) applies to drones placed on the UK market from January 1st 2026. Class marks indicate built-in safety features and determine where and how a drone may be flown. New drones sold in the UK must carry the appropriate class mark. |
Whether a drone can fly near people, buildings, or sets now depends on its class marking, not just its weight. A “closed set” does not automatically make a shot legal. Shot design, blocking, and crew positioning may need to change to remain compliant. |
| Remote ID becomes mandatory | Class-marked drones (UK1–UK6) must broadcast Remote ID. From January 1st 2028, this requirement extends to legacy drones, model aircraft, and UK0 platforms weighing 100g or more with a camera. |
Drone flights are electronically identifiable. If something goes wrong, it is immediately clear who flew, for whom, and under what authority. Risk assessments and call sheets must accurately reflect actual drone use. |
| Night flying requirements | Drones flown at night must display an active green flashing light to improve visibility to others. | Night shoots using drones require compliant aviation visibility lighting, not just aesthetic or practical lights. This needs to be planned in advance to avoid continuity, safety, or compliance issues. |
Legacy drones and UK Class Marks: what still matters:
| Common Term | What People Assume | What Applies in Practice |
|---|---|---|
| “Legacy drone” | Old rules still apply indefinitely | On January 1st 2026, transitional allowances ended. Legacy drones are now restricted primarily to far-from-people operations unless additional controls or authorisation apply. |
| “Under 250g drone” | Can fly anywhere near people | Weight alone no longer decides proximity. Operational context, people nearby, and class marking matter more. |
| UK Class Mark system introduced (UK0–UK6) | A UK class mark system (UK0–UK6) applies to drones placed on the UK market from January 1st 2026. Class marks indicate built-in safety features and determine where and how a drone may be flown. New drones sold in the UK must carry the appropriate class mark. |
Whether a drone can fly near people, buildings, or sets now depends on its class marking, not just its weight. A “closed set” does not automatically make a shot legal. Shot design, blocking, and crew positioning may need to change to remain compliant. |
| “FPV micro drone” | Exempt because it’s small. | FPV drones above 100g with cameras are regulated aircraft and subject to ID, marking, and operational constraints. |
So from now on, UK drone regulation is driven less by how small a drone is – and more by how and where it is flown, particularly in relation to people.
How Does This Affect Me?
What Productions Should Start Doing Now
Summary: treat drone activity as a planned, managed, safety-critical task, not an informal camera choice.
Treat drones like stunts or pyrotechnics
- Shot-specific risk assessments
- Clear authority and decision-making chain
- Defined abort criteria if conditions change
Separate creative intent from regulatory permission
- Just because a shot is on a closed set doesn’t mean it’s automatically OK
- Plan shots around where the drone flies and who is nearby – you can’t rely solely on access controls now
- Plan drone activity as though it requires a higher level of risk assessment than you think it actually needs, even where formal authorisation is not needed.
Audit lightweight and FPV fleets early
- Many existing rigs may lose operational flexibility under class-based rules, or require replacement, modification or re-certification
- Assume there will be budget and scheduling impact
Update call sheets and safety briefings
- Drone activity should be explicitly identified
- Exclusion zones clearly defined
- Crew responsibilities and stop authority clearly briefed
Checking whether Flyer ID and Operator ID are required and other checks should form part of early planning, and not be a last-minute decision.
If something goes wrong, these changes mean the operator, production, and decision chain are immediately identifiable, including whether the flight matched the risk assessment.
Checklists
Pre-Production
| Before You Plan a Drone Shot | What You Need to Know |
|---|---|
| Purpose of the shot | Why a drone is needed (insert, establishing, FPV move, survey, stunt-style move). |
| Location and environment | Exact location, nearby buildings, public access, transport routes, airspace constraints. |
| People below the drone | Cast, crew, public, vehicles, animals – including closest approach distance. |
| Set control | Whether the set is closed, how lock-offs are achieved, and who controls them. |
| Time of flight | Day / night / low light. Night flying may trigger additional equipment requirements. |
| Overlapping hazards | Stunts, pyro, cranes, cable cams, smoke, dust, RF congestion. |
On the Day: Minimum Controls
| Drone Day Controls | Minimum Expectation on Set |
|---|---|
| Responsibility confirmed | Named Operator (Operator ID holder) and named remote pilot identified to production. |
| Risk assessment in force | Drone activity is explicitly covered and reflects the actual shot being flown. |
| Exclusion zones briefed | Take-off/landing area, flight area and no-go zones clearly marked and communicated. |
| Stop authority agreed | Clear agreement on who can stop the flight and how that is communicated. |
| Cast and crew awareness | Anyone inside a risk area is informed and managed appropriately. |
| Night flight compliance | If flying at night, compliant green flashing light fitted and operational. |
Red Flags
| Drone Red Flags | Action |
|---|---|
| “We’ll just do one quick take” | Stop and confirm compliance, briefing and authority. |
| Drone added after call sheet issued | Pause until risk assessment and briefing are updated. |
| Unclear lock-offs or public access | Do not fly until control is confirmed. |
| Pilot expresses concern | Treat as a safety stop, not a creative negotiation. |
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Article last updated on Jan 4th, 2026
