Guidance on using Drones/Unmanned Aerial Devices (UAD)

Guidance on using Drones/Unmanned Aerial Devices (UAD)

Drones are currently allowed to be flown on public land within the Borough of Gosport. Anyone wishing to fly over land owned by the Crown Estate (ie. the foreshore) should refer to their website .

It is the responsibility of the person flying the drone to be fully aware of the guidance on drone use.

The basic rules:

• You may need to pass an online test, hold a Flyer-ID and register as a UAD operator depending on the weight/class of your UAD. (Click here for more information)
• You must follow the class requirements if your drone or model has a class mark. If your drone or model aircraft does not have a class mark or was privately built you must follow the weight requirements instead. (Click here for more information)
• If you are registered as a UAD Operator you must display your UAD Operator ID on your UAD (Click here for more information)
• Check your drone before each flight to see if it works properly
• It must weigh less than 25kg to be considered a non-commercial drone.
• Keep your drone below 400ft (120m)
• It is recommended that drones should be kept 150ft (50m) away from people, cars and buildings
• You should not use your drone over a congested area such as streets, towns and cities or within 150m of large gatherings such as concerts and sports events.
• It is recommended you have insurance
• You must fly your drone in a safe manner, making sure that you do no harm to anyone or anything.
• You must be able to see your drone at all times so that you can ensure that it does not collide with anything, especially other aircraft
• Keep clear of any airspace restrictions, including around aerodromes, unless you have permission to fly within them.
• Drones cannot be used at night without special permission for night time flying from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
• Ensure any images you obtain using the drone do not break privacy laws.

Visit the CAA website here for more information and guidance.

It is illegal to:

• Fly your drone within 1 - 5km of an airfield (Solent Airport at Daedalus and Fleetlands) and should be kept away from all aircraft and helicopters (read section 7 of this page for more information). Please be advised that you are not able to fly a drone anywhere in Lee on the Solent, Rowner & The Alver Valley without prior permission from the air field.
• Fly a drone/UAD without having the required ID's (Click here for more information). You can be fined for breaking the law and in the most serious cases you could be sent to prison.

If you have privacy concerns surrounding the use of a drone, these can be reported via the Information Commissioner's Office . If you feel a drone is flying too close to you or your house, this should be reported to the police via 101.

For more information about drones and if you are planning to film using a drone please visit the Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) rules  on the use of drones.

To see a map of the Gosport Borough and find out which areas are public land please see map below. 

Areas highlighted in red indicate publicly owned land.