Usually, BMFA and BDF members will be both the Operator and Remote Pilot (Flyer) of their aircraft and will need both an Operator and Flyer ID. (Only the Operator ID is displayed on your aircraft)
Operator ID’s
- Costs £11.13, you do not take a test to obtain an Operator ID
- Valid for 1 year
- Must be displayed on your aircraft in it's entirety
- Valid Operator ID's are in the format GBR-OP-XXXXXXXXXXXX
- ID's stay the same when renewed, unless you have changed your email address and not informed the CAA.
The operator is the person responsible for managing a model aircraft or drone. This means they’re responsible for things like maintaining it and making sure that anyone who flies it has a flyer ID and is aware of the regulations and any airspace restrictions.
They are usually the person or organisation that owns the model aircraft or drone, but not always. For example, if you’re younger than 18 and you own a drone or model aircraft, you must ask your parent or guardian to register for an operator ID. You’ll still be able to fly as long as you have a flyer ID.
The operator must:
- make sure that only people with a valid flyer ID use their model aircraft or drone
- label their model aircraft and drones with their operator ID
You must be 18 or over to register for an operator ID. You can use the same operator ID for all your model aircraft and drones.
Exceptions
- the aircraft weighs 250g or less and is not fitted with a camera; or
- the aircraft is a control line or round-the-pole (tethered) aircraft that weighs less than 7.5Kg and operates on tethers of less than 25m; or
- the aircraft is a 'toy' as defined in the EU Regulations (i.e. a product intended to be played with by children under 14, excluding any product with a combustion engine).
There is no requirement to register as an Operator if you only operate model aircraft indoors.
The Operator I.D. number must be clearly displayed on the aircraft or within a compartment that can be easily accessed without the use of a tool.
Obtained either through the BMFA Membership portal or direct from the CAA
Flyer ID’s
- Free
- Valid for 5 years
- Does not need to be displayed on your aircraft
- Valid Flyer ID's are in the format GBR-RP-XXXXXXXXXXXX
The flyer (remote pilot) is the person who flies the model aircraft or drone. All flyers need a Flyer ID unless
- they only operate aircraft with a take-off mass of less than 250g,
- they only operate a control line or round-the-pole (tethered) aircraft with an MTOM not exceeding 7.5Kg operated on tether lines not exceeding 25 metres (82ft); or
- they only operate indoors
- they are on a buddy lead or under very close supervision by an instructor, in these case they are not considered to be the remote pilot.
Obtained by passing either the BMFA Registration Competency Certificate (RCC), see https://rcc.bmfa.uk or by passing the CAA Drone & Model Aircraft Registration & Education Scheme (DMARES) test. Both tests are 40 question multiple choice tests where you must get a minimum of 30 questions correct.
The BMFA recommends members take the BMFA RCC as the questions relate more to model flying under the BMFA Article 16 authorisation.
BMFA members who passed an Achievement Scheme A or B test before 31/12/2020 are no longer entitled to be issued a Flyer ID and must pass the BMFA RCC or CAA DMARES test.
You should be able to provide proof of a Valid Flyer ID if asked by the authorities. The BMFA recommends printing proof and carrying it with you when flying.
