So for now.(UK)
Article 167
The person in charge of a small unmanned surveillance aircraft must not fly the aircraft in any of the circumstances described in paragraph (2) except in accordance with a permission issued by the CAA.
The circumstances referred to in paragraph (1) are:
a)
over or within 150 metres of any congested area;
b)
over or within 150 metres of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons;
c)
within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft; or
d)
subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), within 50 metres of any person.simple"
Most youtube clips i have seen come under this
within 50 metres of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft
In essence therefore, provided the aircraft has a mass of 20 kg or less, the current regulations state:
The operation must not endanger anyone or anything.
The aircraft must be kept within the visual line of sight (normally taken to be within 500 m horizontally and 400 ft vertically) of its remote pilot (i.e. the ‘person in charge’ of it). Operations beyond these distances must be approved by the CAA (the basic premise being for the operator to prove that he/she can do this safely).
Small unmanned aircraft (irrespective of their mass) that are being used for surveillance purposes are subject to tighter restrictions with regard to the minimum distances that you can fly near people or properties that are not under your control. If you wish to fly within these minima, permission is required from the CAA before operations are commenced.
CAA permission is also required for all flights that are being conducted for aerial work (i.e. in very simple terms, you are getting paid for doing it).
The 'remote pilot' has the responsibility for satisfying him/herself that the flight can be conducted safely.
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid ... geid=16012
I,ll just have fun watching the policeman chasing my drone to see who is controlling it