These are the rules for the UK. Please check your own country's legislation.

 

• No flying of any kite above 200 feet (60 meters) above ground level or 30 meters in the vicinity of an aerodrome/airport. Vicinity means roughly within 2 miles of it's boundary.
• All of the above may be exceeded with the written permission of the appropriate authority and subject to restrictions which they may impose on granting that permission.
• The Authority in the UK airspace is the UK Civil Aviation Authority, to whom the Police authorities will seek advice from in the event of an infringement or prosecution.
• The Statutory Instruments that govern everything are the Air Navigation Order and The Rules of the Air.

 

Police Town Clauses Act 1847 (England only)

 

Although the following may seem a little nerdy, it does unfortunately exist. That said I do not know of anyone in recent times that has been prosecuted under this Act. I am referring to the Police Town Clauses Act 1847 (England only).

This effectively bans any kite flying in any public place or highway that may cause undue distruption or distress to humans or animals. This is important because large noisey kites can cause severe distress to animals. Horses can shy, endangering not only the rider but anyone in close proximity. Cattle and sheep could stampede.

In the lambing season around us in the Peak District there are restrictions in force for public activities to avoid undue distress for the ewes.

So please be considerate in such circumstances.

It is a simple procedure to gain written permission from the CAA to exceed the basic rules. What you must do before doing so is to plan your project. Here are some things to consider be fore applying.

• location
  • Public place or remote.
  • Near avaition facilities, airport, helipad, recue centre, hospitals.
  • Will there be farm animals or wildlife.
• flying height, do you really need to exceed the limit. If you do, then tend to over estimate the height rather than restrict yourself.
• time of day, do you really want hoards of people around you.
• permission to fly from the location. Remember both private landowners and national organisations like the National Trust need to know what you are up to and the CAA will expect you to provide evidence of such.
• map - it is usually requested that you supply a map and grid reference of the location. This avoids any confusion by the Air Space allocation Unit as to your location. Remember your request will be Notam'd (Notice to Airman) throughout the UK Airspace information service.
• Method of communication. In some cases where you may be flying is near aviation hot spots, the Airspace Unit may require you to contact certain authorities at the commencment and cessation of flying. So a fully charged mobile phone, carried with you at all times is a must.

This is not exhaustive but it will give you some ideas. You can download a KAP Permit form HERE it is a zipped file which contains a Word Document for Windows users and a Pages Document for Apple Mac users.

 

Helicopters

 

Gaining permission to exceed the statuatory limit or indeed within it is only part of the equation. Above all the main object is to plan the project sensibily and fly safely.

There will always be exceptions and it is only through experience that you will be able to make that call. Today more than ever in the UK helicopters are being used by the Rescue, Air Ambulance and Police Authorities. This can and does pose a problem when you are flying especially at non organised events such as we do by going out to have a days flying. So be prepared to lower the kite if you are on limits. The very nature of the task helicopters are put to will mean they will fly low. You are looking at a clear sky be it cloudy or sunny with the kite standing out against it. The helicopter pilot on the other hand is looking down at a mosaic of ground features as well as monitoring a bunch of instruments.

Even for the casual flier it is useful to know what is going on around you or what is about to happen. Especially today with the relative ease of use of mobile devices.

NOTAM info

A brilliant site to see what the air activity is going to be in your chosen flying area regardless of the height you are flying at.

The map data is selectable through the sidebar

I have done a simpler map which also uses Ordnance Survey data and will eventually have a map which shows the 30m (100 feet) height restriction around active airports/airfields. It will have a geolocation facility for mobile devices, hence the popup asking to use your location, if you decline the map will still activate.

This is an actual permit issued to me. I've blanked out certain details in the interests of security. The criteria are very specific as are the conditions of operation. Click image to enlarge