How to Register a Parrot ANAFI USA in the UK

About the Parrot ANAFI USA

The Parrot ANAFI USA was developed for government and enterprise operations. It features a 32-minute flight time, a 21-megapixel visible camera alongside a thermal imaging sensor, and enhanced cybersecurity features including no data logging and local-only data storage. It is used by defence agencies, public safety teams, and inspection professionals around the world.

Despite its professional pedigree, the ANAFI USA is subject to the same CAA registration requirements as any other drone above 250g when flown in the UK. There is no government exemption for registration under the Open Category.

Registration Requirements

At approximately 500g MTOM, the ANAFI USA requires full CAA registration before you fly it outdoors in the United Kingdom. This means two separate items:

• Flyer ID — obtained by passing a free online test at register-drones.caa.co.uk. The test has 20 questions; you need at least 16 correct answers. Valid for 5 years.
• Operator ID — costs £10.33 per year, renewable annually. Your Operator ID must be physically displayed on the drone itself.

If you are an organisation operating multiple drones, one Operator ID covers all aircraft. However, each individual remote pilot still needs their own Flyer ID.

How to Complete Registration

1. Go to register-drones.caa.co.uk and create an account
2. Complete the Flyer ID test — you can retake it immediately if needed
3. Pay £10.33 for your Operator ID
4. Print or create a durable label with your Operator ID
5. Attach the label to your ANAFI USA in a visible, accessible location

A3 Subcategory Flying Rules

The Parrot ANAFI USA does not carry a class marking. Without a class mark, any drone between 250g and 25kg defaults to the A3 subcategory of the Open Category. The key restrictions under A3 are:

• Maintain at least 150 metres horizontal distance from residential, commercial, industrial, and recreational areas
• Maximum altitude of 120 metres (400 feet) above ground level
• Visual line of sight (VLOS) must be maintained at all times
• No flying in controlled airspace without authorisation
• Always give way to manned aircraft

For government or public safety operators who need to fly in restricted areas or closer to people, an Operational Authorisation under the Specific Category is required from the CAA.

Thermal Imaging and Privacy Considerations

The ANAFI USA includes a thermal camera capable of detecting heat signatures. While the CAA registration process does not specifically address thermal imaging, UK privacy laws apply. Under the Data Protection Act 2018 and UK GDPR, capturing thermal imagery of identifiable individuals may constitute processing personal data.

When using thermal imaging capabilities, consider whether your flight could capture data about people — even indirectly. Government and enterprise users should have appropriate data protection policies in place before deploying thermal-equipped drones.

Insurance Considerations

If you operate the ANAFI USA for any commercial, government, or professional purpose, third-party liability insurance is a legal requirement under UK law. Even for recreational use, insurance is strongly recommended given the professional nature of this aircraft.

Standard drone insurance policies typically cover drones up to a specified weight. At 500g, the ANAFI USA falls well within the limits of most policies. Check that your policy explicitly names the ANAFI USA or covers drones in its weight class.