Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Operating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs, also known as 'drones') for research, teaching, commercial, or recreational purposes must adhere to the relevant airspace regulations and legislation (UK and International). The University maintains relevant licences and insurances to permit its staff and students to operate drones legally when all relevant laws and internal policy rules are followed.
If you are intending on flying a drone on behalf of the University or on its property, the guidance found here can be used to assess the actions you must take.
The Law
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for publishing the regulations and legislation for the UK, which apply to all UK airspace users - including drones. The relevant legislations and guidance are highlighted in CAP722 and references therein.
Anyone operating a drone is expected to be aware of any updated rules, regulations and legislation. Please note the CAA documentation supersedes any guidance found within the University policy documents and pages.
These guidance pages focus on the airspace risks and laws. Other applicable laws and UOM policies should still be followed; for example, export controls, handling of dangerous goods (e.g. lithium batteries), site-permissions (e.g. trespass, privacy), data protection (e.g. handling of sensitive data), and general injury prevention when operating machinery outdoors (e.g. exposure, cuts, heavy lifting).
Operational Categories
The CAA has defined several categories of operations:
Open Category – small UAVs being flown far from people and structures
The open category definition is designed around the principal that these types of flight are low risk. There are four main criterion which can be used to determine if a flight is within the Open Category:
- Maximum height of 120 meters
One of the biggest risks is interaction with manned aviation. To avoid this UAVs must be operated not more than 120 m height above the closest point on the ground. Further restrictions apply near airports/aerodromes (within 5 km distance).
- VLOS (visual line of sight)
The pilot must be able to see and control the vehicle at all times. Typically, this will be a maximum of 500 m, but might be closer for small vehicles.
- Low mass
The maximum 'weight' of the vehicle must be below 25 kg. Further restrictions apply depending on the proximity to people and/or structures down to below 250 g (100g as of January 2026) if flying over people.
- Minimum separation
Flights must have adequate horizontal separation distances from people and structures. A good rule is more than 150 m from built-up or congested areas, and more than 50 m from bystanders or anyone not directly involved in the operations, but there are reduced separation limits depending on the vehicle mass.
Specific Category – more unusual drones being flown in higher risk scenarios
The University holds an additional license from the CAA for a type of flight operation within the specific category known as PDRA01. This license allows flights closer to built-up or congested areas. Additional records keeping, pre-flight planning, and pilot qualifications are required. The following criterion can be used to determine if a flight is within the Specific Category PDRA01:
- Maximum height of 120 meters
One of the biggest risks is interaction with manned aviation. To avoid this UAVs must be operated not more than 120 m height above the closest point on the ground. Further restrictions apply near airports/aerodromes (within 5 km distance).
- VLOS (visual line of sight)
The pilot must be able to see and control the vehicle at all times. Typically, this will be a maximum of 500 m, but might be closer for small vehicles.
- Low mass
The maximum 'weight' of the vehicle must be below 25 kg. Further restrictions apply depending on the proximity to people and/or structures down to below 250 g (100g as of January 2026) if flying over people.
- Minimum separation (reduced)
Flights can be conducted with reduced separation distances from people and structures. There is no lower limit on proximity to structures, and the vehicle must be at least 50 m separation from bystanders, or anyone not directly involved in the operations. Overflights of structures and people are allowed; however, this risk should be carefully considered and documented in pre-flight assessments.
Other Higher Risk Activities
The Specific category can cover more than just closer proximity UAV operation. By following a thorough SORA (Specific Operations Risk Assessment) process, the CAA can authorise other types of higher risk activity such as long-range flights (BVLOS), higher altitudes, or multi-vehicle operation (swarms). These are on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the relevant school UAV manager at the earliest time, if your planned activity requires such an additional CAA authorisation.
Certified Category – large drones with a risk equivalent to manned aviation
The Certified Category covers UAV operations which likely to be more complex and present an equivalent risk to that of manned aviation. Examples include very large drones over 150 kg. Significant external additional safety procedures, inspections, and registrations must be completed before flights can commence.
The University has no standing procedures or licenses for Certified Category operations hence all flights will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact the relevant school UAV manager at the earliest time, if you believe Certified Category authorisation will be required from the CAA.
Indoor Flight Operations - including nets
The regulations and legislation stated in CAP722 do not apply to indoor flights, or situations where there is no chance for the vehicle to ‘escape’ into open air (for example, within nets).
Next Steps
The University of Manchester requires all personnel who are operating (flying) a drone for business purposes to follow internal policy and procedures. Business reasons include teaching, research, consulting, or any activity where UOM is liable.
If you are a member of staff or a student flying for recreational or external business reasons, then you are effectively treated as a member of the public and must acquire your own appropriate licences, IDs, and insurances.
Flying drones as part of a student society is also not covered by the University UAV policy and should be assessed and insured by the relevant Student Union.
Third-party contractors who are hired by the University or wish to use UOM sites for commercial drone operations (for example media filming) must also maintain their own processes, policies, and insurances, but are required to undergo a check by the University.
The full UAV policy is available for University staff and students.
Information for the Public
The University owns large areas of property; mostly within the Manchester area (a map is available) but also including several other remote sites within the UK. If you intend to operate a drone within the University estate, we require you to contact the Regulatory Compliance Team for permission to take-off and land on University property.
The University acknowledges it cannot impose limitations of overflight of its property but does have a responsibility to take reasonable care to ensure members of staff, the student cohort, and public are safe whilst on our estate. As such, if a drone is seen or reported as operating in a dangerous manner which could cause injury to people or damage to property, members of our security team might approach the pilot to ask for clarification on the flight operation and will escalate to the police if necessary.
If you witness any unsafe behaviour regarding the use of a drone on University property, please inform the Campus Support and Security Services.
Information for Staff and Students
For staff and students flying UAVs for teaching, research, or consulting purposes, it is the responsibility of the pilot and their manager (or supervisor) to ensure they have met the requirements of the University and relevant legislation.
For low-risk flights within the Open Category rules, there is a streamlined process allowing members of projects to self-certify they have understood their responsibilities. For higher-risk flights it is advised you engage with further details of your requirements because additional licencing may be required.
To begin, please contact your school UAV manager with a short description of your intended use of UAVs. They will help assess the feasibility of your project within the current University operational authorisations.
You will then be added to an internal information site containing more detailed instructions on the required actions to take before you fly. These include:
- Register pilot CAA Flyer ID on database
- Register the drone being flown
- Label the drone with the University Operator ID
- Complete a risk assessment with consideration of UAV hazards
- Read updates and important announcements.
Information for 3rd party contractors
If you are being contracted by the University for work which includes the use of UAVs, or you wish to use University property as part of external work, you must liaise directly with the Regulatory Compliance Team team to gain a permit for the work.
You will be asked to provide evidence of your operational safety case including flight planning, Operator and Flyer IDs, and insurance.
Insurance
The University holds liability insurance meeting the CAA’s requirements (Regulation (EC) 785/2004) and a copy of the certificate can be downloaded here (visit the Public Liability section).