Benjamin Kenobi
Easy? You call that easy?
Just thought I'd share this info for UK fliers hoping to use the Phantom Vision for commercial use. The gist of it is you can't use 5.8GHz for operating in congested areas and you can only go 150m from the pilot:
SUA - use of 5.8 GHz as a Control Frequency
In light of the recent issues regarding the use of the frequency band 5.8Ghz for unmanned airborne operations, and our continued pressure on the CAA to issue clear guidelines we are happy to announce that the CAA have issued this statement.
1. The CAA does not approve the use of frequencies for airborne use, this is done by Ofcom.
2. 5.8 GHz falls into the same category as 2.4GHz in that it is legal for airborne use (and like 2.4GHz, it is not a protected frequency).
3. The max permitted radiated power within the UK is still 25mW e.i.r.p but, due to the higher frequency involved at 5.8GHz, the effective distance that the SUA can be flown from the transmitter is less than the distance which is possible with 2.4GHz. This distance could, in some circumstances, be less than the ‘normally accepted’ 500m plus it is also more notably affected by ‘Radio Line of Sight’ issues.
As a result, please use the following as CAA guidance with regard to the use of 5.8 GHz as a control frequency for SUA which are being operated in accordance with a Permission from the CAA:
- 5.8 GHz may be used as a control frequency for SUA flights that require a CAA permission.
- However, because the performance characteristics of 5.8GHz are less well known than those for 2.4 GHz, we will not permit its use over or within 150 metres of a congested area, nor will we provide any alleviations from any of the other restrictions that are detailed within article 167. Note, this differs from other 7kg or less ‘standard permissions’ (which normally ‘automatically’ allow ops within congested areas).
- When dealing with any applications involving 5.8GHz, NQEs should point out the potential limitations of its use (where necessary from your observations) and hence the additional potential limitations on the aircraft’s suitability for the task:
- Max permitted power in the UK is 25mW – for aircraft/systems that have an ability to ‘switch’ to more powerful settings, it must be made clear that use of a more powerful setting is not permitted in the UK
- Reduced operating distance – the Ops Manual must include a clear statement about the maximum distance that the SUA can be flown from the transmitter in order to ensure that the ability to control the aircraft is not lost and flight tests must be conducted against these criteria.
- Operators should be reminded that the frequency is not protected
- The person in charge of the SUA is still wholly responsible for ensuring that the flight can be conducted safely.
The intent of this guidance is not to impose a blanket ban on the use of 5.8GHz (as the CAA are sure that there must be many applications away from congested areas where this frequency could be used entirely safely), but to ensure that where the frequency is used, any operators are doing so in a reasonably informed capacity.
We hope that this answers questions surrounding the use of 5.8Ghz as a control frequency for SUA in the UK. Users however may be confused by the statement that ‘in some circumstances, the effective distance might be less than the ‘normally accepted’ 500m plus it is also more notably affected by ‘Radio Line of Sight’ issues.’ In an attempt to determine what the effective distance is the CAA have commissioned Resource Group UAS to determine a trial, the conclusions of which will be available in due course.
SUA - use of 5.8 GHz as a Control Frequency
In light of the recent issues regarding the use of the frequency band 5.8Ghz for unmanned airborne operations, and our continued pressure on the CAA to issue clear guidelines we are happy to announce that the CAA have issued this statement.
1. The CAA does not approve the use of frequencies for airborne use, this is done by Ofcom.
2. 5.8 GHz falls into the same category as 2.4GHz in that it is legal for airborne use (and like 2.4GHz, it is not a protected frequency).
3. The max permitted radiated power within the UK is still 25mW e.i.r.p but, due to the higher frequency involved at 5.8GHz, the effective distance that the SUA can be flown from the transmitter is less than the distance which is possible with 2.4GHz. This distance could, in some circumstances, be less than the ‘normally accepted’ 500m plus it is also more notably affected by ‘Radio Line of Sight’ issues.
As a result, please use the following as CAA guidance with regard to the use of 5.8 GHz as a control frequency for SUA which are being operated in accordance with a Permission from the CAA:
- 5.8 GHz may be used as a control frequency for SUA flights that require a CAA permission.
- However, because the performance characteristics of 5.8GHz are less well known than those for 2.4 GHz, we will not permit its use over or within 150 metres of a congested area, nor will we provide any alleviations from any of the other restrictions that are detailed within article 167. Note, this differs from other 7kg or less ‘standard permissions’ (which normally ‘automatically’ allow ops within congested areas).
- When dealing with any applications involving 5.8GHz, NQEs should point out the potential limitations of its use (where necessary from your observations) and hence the additional potential limitations on the aircraft’s suitability for the task:
- Max permitted power in the UK is 25mW – for aircraft/systems that have an ability to ‘switch’ to more powerful settings, it must be made clear that use of a more powerful setting is not permitted in the UK
- Reduced operating distance – the Ops Manual must include a clear statement about the maximum distance that the SUA can be flown from the transmitter in order to ensure that the ability to control the aircraft is not lost and flight tests must be conducted against these criteria.
- Operators should be reminded that the frequency is not protected
- The person in charge of the SUA is still wholly responsible for ensuring that the flight can be conducted safely.
The intent of this guidance is not to impose a blanket ban on the use of 5.8GHz (as the CAA are sure that there must be many applications away from congested areas where this frequency could be used entirely safely), but to ensure that where the frequency is used, any operators are doing so in a reasonably informed capacity.
We hope that this answers questions surrounding the use of 5.8Ghz as a control frequency for SUA in the UK. Users however may be confused by the statement that ‘in some circumstances, the effective distance might be less than the ‘normally accepted’ 500m plus it is also more notably affected by ‘Radio Line of Sight’ issues.’ In an attempt to determine what the effective distance is the CAA have commissioned Resource Group UAS to determine a trial, the conclusions of which will be available in due course.
