The purpose of this document is to:
▪ Describe what is meant by a UAS Geographical Zone, and how the UK is implementing EU 2019/947 (the UAS Implementing Regulation) Article 15- UAS Geographical Zones.
▪ Describe how UAS operations may be restricted or prohibited using an airspace structure, in order to facilitate or protect another type of aviation activity or to protect an area on the ground.
▪ Describe how UAS operations may be facilitated using an airspace structure to restrict other aviation activity.
▪ Provide guidance to those who are applying to establish a UAS Geographical Zone.
▪ Provide guidance to those who are responsible for managing a UAS Geographical Zone.
For detailed information on the procedures for establishing airspace restrictions and the process for making changes to airspace, reference should be made to other publications as referred to throughout this document.
Intended Audience
This document is intended to be read by the following stakeholders with an interest in airspace restrictions in the context of UAS:
▪ Individuals or organisations that wish to restrict unmanned aircraft (UA) in close proximity to their infrastructure, activity or location; and
▪ UAS Operators who wish to facilitate UAS Operations, by restricting access to other airspace users; and
▪ Individuals or organisations that wish to facilitate UAS operations without restricting access to other airspace users, by mandating a certain level of equipage within the airspace.
Content
The content of this CAP does not replace Civil Aviation Regulations, or procedures notified
within the UK Aeronautical Information Publication.
The following references are provided for convenience and are not exhaustive. Readers are advised to take note of all applicable regulations and of any amendments to the regulations and documents listed below that are implemented after the publication of this
document:
▪ The Air Navigation Order 2016, as amended
▪ UK Aeronautical Information Publication
▪ CAP 1616 Airspace Change: Guidance on the regulatory process for changes to airspace
▪ CAP 1618 Airspace Design: Unusual aerial activities published in the UK AIP
▪ CAP 1868 A Unified Approach to the Introduction of UAS Traffic Management
▪ UAS Implementing Regulation 2019/947, as amended; (CAP1789 provides a consolidated version)
▪ CAP 722 Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace – Guidance
▪ CAP 1054 Aeronautical Data Quality
Policy
Provision is made for the establishment of UAS Geographical Zones (airspace restrictions)
within the UAS Implementing Regulation 2019/947 under Article 15. CAA policy is that an
application for such an airspace restriction should not be made under this article, but
instead should be progressed either via the ACP process or article 239 process, described
in this document. Airspace will not be established on the basis of Article 15 and will only be established on the basis of existing national regulation.
It should be noted that the CAA can only provide information on aviation policy, regulations and permissions, and not those implemented by other sectors. UAS operators must also, therefore, consider any other applicable restrictions and legitimate interests of other statutory bodies such as Local Authorities, and those of other sectors such as Emergency Services and Transport.
Get 722C here
