Drone Open Category A1 Rules in the UK

What A1 Means in the Open Category

The Open Category is divided into three subcategories: A1, A2, and A3. Each represents a different level of proximity to people. A1 is the closest: it covers operations over or near uninvolved people. A2 allows flight at reduced distances from people but with additional training requirements. A3 requires flying well away from people entirely.

Subcategory A1 is where most recreational and lightweight commercial drone flights take place. It is the default subcategory for small, lightweight drones and the only subcategory that permits any degree of flight over uninvolved people.

However, A1 is not a blanket permission to fly anywhere near anyone. The specific privileges you hold within A1 depend entirely on your drone's class marking.

A1 Privileges by Class Mark

UK0 / C0 Drones (Under 250g, Class-Marked)

This is the highest privilege level within A1. A drone carrying a UK0 or C0 class mark can:

• Fly over uninvolved people (people who are not participating in the drone operation and are not aware of the safety instructions given by the pilot)
• Fly in residential, commercial, and industrial areas
• Operate without an A2 Certificate of Competency (the basic online assessment and Flyer ID are sufficient)

Even with this privilege, you must not fly over assemblies of people. An assembly of people is defined as a gathering where the density of people prevents individual movement, such as concerts, sporting events, or crowded markets.

UK1 / C1 Drones (Under 900g, Class-Marked)

A drone with a UK1 or C1 mark can fly in subcategory A1 with an important restriction: you can fly near uninvolved people but must not intentionally fly over them. If an uninvolved person moves beneath your drone during flight, this is not a breach provided you did not plan the flight path to go directly overhead.

UK1/C1 drones must meet specific safety criteria:

• Maximum speed must not exceed 19 m/s, or the drone must limit kinetic energy on impact to 80 joules
• The drone must have an automatic flight termination function that activates if the command-and-control link is lost
• The pilot must hold at least the basic online assessment (Flyer ID)

Legacy Drones Under 250g (No Class Mark)

Legacy drones weighing less than 250g can operate in subcategory A1, but with reduced privileges compared to UK0-marked drones. Specifically:

• You cannot intentionally fly over uninvolved people
• You should maintain a safe horizontal distance from people not involved in the operation
• The drone is treated under transitional provisions rather than the full class-marked regulatory framework

This is one of the most commonly misunderstood points in UK drone law. Pilots often assume that any drone under 250g can fly over people. That privilege belongs only to class-marked UK0/C0 drones, not to all sub-250g aircraft.

Legacy Drones 250g to 2kg (No Class Mark)

Legacy drones in this weight range can also operate in A1 under transitional provisions, but must maintain a minimum 50m horizontal distance from uninvolved people. They cannot fly over uninvolved people under any circumstances. This provision allows popular consumer drones manufactured before class marking requirements to continue flying, but with significant restrictions compared to class-marked alternatives.

Rules That Apply to All A1 Operations

Regardless of class marking, every flight in subcategory A1 must comply with the fundamental Open Category rules:

• Maximum altitude: 120 metres (400 feet) above ground level. This is measured from the closest point on the surface of the earth, not from take-off altitude
• Visual line of sight (VLOS): You must maintain direct, unaided visual contact with the drone at all times. Using binoculars, monitors, or first-person view goggles as your primary means of maintaining awareness does not satisfy the VLOS requirement
• Airspace restrictions: You must not fly in controlled airspace without specific permission. Flight Restriction Zones around airports and other sensitive locations are prohibited without authorisation
• Registration: Both the operator and the pilot must be registered with the CAA. The Operator ID must be displayed on the drone
• No assemblies of people: No Open Category drone may fly over an assembly of people, regardless of class mark
• No carriage of dangerous goods: Open Category drones may not carry hazardous materials
• No dropping of articles: You must not drop any material from the drone that could endanger persons or property

Training Requirements for A1

The training requirements for A1 are the lightest in the Open Category. At minimum, you need:

• Flyer ID: Obtained by passing the CAA online theory test. This covers basic airspace knowledge, privacy requirements, and safety rules. It is valid for five years and must be renewed
• Operator ID: Obtained by registering as a drone operator with the CAA. This is separate from the Flyer ID and is required for anyone who owns a drone or is responsible for its operation

No practical flight test is required for A1 operations. The A2 Certificate of Competency, which involves additional theory and a practical assessment, is only required for subcategory A2 operations. However, completing additional training beyond the minimum is strongly recommended, particularly if you plan to fly near people.

Common A1 Scenarios

Subcategory A1 covers many of the most common drone flight scenarios in the UK:

• Recreational flights with a lightweight drone in a park or garden where other people are present
• Photography and videography in urban areas using a sub-250g drone
• Property inspection with a lightweight drone where the property is near residential areas
• Content creation for social media in areas where uninvolved people may be nearby

If your planned operation involves flying closer to uninvolved people than A1 permits for your drone's class mark, or if your drone exceeds the weight limits for A1 operation, you will need to consider subcategory A2, A3, or potentially the Specific Category with an Operational Authorisation.

When A1 Is Not Enough

A1 has clear limits. You cannot use A1 for:

• Flights over assemblies of people (festivals, matches, protests, markets with dense crowds)
• Flights above 120m without specific CAA permission
• Beyond visual line of sight operations
• Operations in Flight Restriction Zones or controlled airspace without authorisation
• Commercial operations requiring drones heavier than what A1 class marks allow

If any of these apply to your planned flight, you will need to move to a different subcategory or apply for an Operational Authorisation under the Specific Category.