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:

1. 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 separation from the closest point on the ground. Further restrictions apply near airports/aerodromes (within 5 km distance).

2. 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.

3. 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 if flying over people.

4. 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.

Authorisation for Open Category

To enable independent teaching and research freedom, academics can register their intended use of UAVs and self-certify themselves, and nominated staff/students under their management/supervision, to conduct UAV operations in the Open Category. The UAV Operations Manual should be downloaded and reviewed for further guidance and best-practices to ensure the rules of the Open Category are being met.

The self-certification form can be found within the UAV Operations Manual and must be signed and returned to your school UAV manager before any flights are conducted. Also consult the before you fly page.

If you are not associated with a School or Faculty, please contact the regulatory compliance team to seek approval for open category flight permissions and consult the before you fly page. You must receive approval (in writing) from the regulatory compliance team before any flights can be conducted on University property or on behalf of the University of Manchester for research, teaching or commericially related activities.

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. The following criterion can be used to determine if a flight is within the Specific Category:

1. 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 separation from the closest point on the ground. Further restrictions apply near airports/aerodromes (within 5 km distance).

2. 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.

3. 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 if flying over people.

4. Minimum separation

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 from bystanders or anyone not directly involved in the operations. Overflights of structures and people are allowed, however this risk should be carefully considered.

Authorisation for Specific Category

Additional UAV pilot qualifications and mandatory flight record keeping are required for Specific Category operations.

To enable independent teaching and research freedom, academics can register their intended use of UAVs and self-certify themselves, and nominated staff/students under their management/supervision, to conduct UAV operations in the Specific Category. The UAV Operations Manual should be downloaded and reviewed for further guidance and best-practices to ensure the rules of the Specific Category are being met.

The self-certification form can be found within the UAV Operations Manual and must be signed and returned (including appropriate UAV pilot qualifications) to your school UAV manager before any flights are conducted. Also consult the before you fly page.

If you are not associated with a School or Faculty, please contact the regulatory compliance team to seek approval for specific category flight permissions and you are still required to consult the UAV operations Manual and before you fly page for further guidance and best-practices as stated above. You must receive approval (in writing) from the regulatory compliance team before any flights can be conducted on University property or on behalf of the University of Manchester for research, teaching or commericially related activities.

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 your school UAV manager or the regulatory compliance team (if you are not affilitated with a School or Faculty), at the earliest time, if you believe Certified Category authorisation will be required from the CAA. 

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).