Drone and Crane Use
It’s your responsibility to ensure the correct procedures are followed.
It’s your responsibility to ensure the correct procedures are followed.
Flying drones has become a popular hobby, with these unmanned aircraft ranking as one of the UK’s top gifts. Drones are used for a variety of purposes, from recreational flying and aerial photography to commercial activities like surveying, mapping, and delivering goods. Whether used for fun or work, it’s crucial to understand the regulations surrounding their operation.
Do you have a drone or unmanned aircraft? It’s important to be aware of the UK laws governing their flight. In partnership with Police Scotland and South Ayrshire Council, we’re committed to educating the public on the importance of following the Drone Safe Code, which helps ensure both safety and compliance with legal requirements.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), responsible for regulating UK airspace, has established legal obligations to protect both drone operators and the public. These rules are designed to ensure that everyone can enjoy their drones safely without disrupting other aircraft or putting people at risk.
Drone flight restriction zones around airports and airfields has changed.
There is a 5km restriction zone around Glasgow Prestwick Airport and all other airports and airfields in the UK. The use of drones near an airfield could endanger aircraft operations.
It is illegal to fly a drone within these restricted zones and operators may be subject to prosecution. To protect yourself and others, operators can safely fly their drones outside this restriction zone.
The CAA has updated their Guidance Document – CAP 722: Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace on 16 April 2024
The CAA have also created a Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Scheme to support users with how to use them safely.
For more information please visit the CAA’s website.
Importantly, if you are a drone operator either for pleasure or commercial reasons you must label it with your ID. It is against the law to fly a drone without it being labelled.
Did you know that thousands of drones go missing each year? Therefore, not only having your operator ID clearly labelled on your drone ensures you are compliant, it could also help re-unite you with it should you every lose it.
More information on the re-uniting of drones visit the CAA’s drone re-united website.
Furthermore, to the above regulations there are some other rules that operators must comply with. The drone code has been put together by the CAA to keep everyone and the airspace safe.
Drone operators should follow the below Drone code;
Don’t fly near airports or airfields
Remember to stay below 400ft (120m)
Observe your drone at all times – Stay 150ft (approx. 50m) from people and property
Never fly near aircraft
Enjoy responsibly
Operators are responsible for the safe and legal compliance of each flight. By not following regulations set for yours and others safety, you could face prosecution.
For more information you can visit the CAA Website or download the Drone Assist app.
Changes to permission procedures for Drone Flights and Crane Operations within the vicinity of GPA will be implemented from 1 Oct 2025.
All applications for Drone Permissions and Crane Operations will be managed utilising an online platform named Air Portal; this platform can be accessed via http://app.airportal.aero where you may register as an operator.
Following the one-time registration, all requests should be submitted via the portal.
DRONES
GPA Flight Restricted Zone (FRZ) is active H24, 365 day a year. Please submit all applications three days in advance to allow operational staff time to consider your request. Short notice on the day requests should be followed up with a telephone call to Prestwick Air Traffic Control (ATC) on 01292 51114 / 01292 511107.
Whilst specific permission is required to operate within the Prestwick FRZ, we welcome submissions for flights in the surrounding airspace.
All Drone Flight applications (Recreational and Commercial) will still have to obtain a Police Scotland reference number which is obtained by calling Police Scotland on telephone #101, this must be annotated within the mandatory field for your application to proceed.
Drone Flight Prices:
Please note Drone Flight above 400ft Above Ground Level requires additional permissions from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
AIR PORTAL FEATURES
Following permission, you have the ability to ‘activate’ your flight on the portal; by doing this immediately prior to flight it will display on our system to indicate that you are operating. On completion you should de-activate the flight.
We are aware that there are a number of 3rd party sources which depict FRZs, not all are accurate. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) authorised source can be accessed here.
CRANES
All mobile or tower crane operations and other tall equipment has the potential to Infringe protected surfaces, endanger aircraft in flight or interfere with any visual aids or Radio Navigation Aids.
It is therefore a requirement to apply for permission to erect a crane within 6km of the Glasgow Prestwick Airport when its height exceeds 10m or the height of the surrounding structures or trees.
Crane Permit Prices:
Crane requests outside of 6km should be referred to the Civil Aviation Authority, Airspace Co-ordination and Obstacle Management Service (ACOMS) who can be contacted on email [email protected]
Crane notification | UK Civil Aviation Authority
CONTACTS
Questions regarding Air Portal and registration should be directed to Air Portal at [email protected].
Questions regarding flight inside the Prestwick FRZ or Crane operations within 6km of Glasgow Prestwick Airport should be directed to Prestwick ATC 01292 51114 / 01292 511107.
Air Portal Home Page (from where you can also login): http://app.airportal.aero
IMPORTANT DRONE LEGISLATION – 1 JANUARY 2026
From 1 January 2026, new rules will apply to all drone users in the UK. These include:
The CAA website and Drone Code have been updated to reflect these changes.
Please review the updated guidance.
Help us keep everyone and the airspace safe by reporting any concerns you may have with drones or unmanned aircraft being used close to Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
Reports should be made to Police Scotland by calling 101.
‘No Drone Zone’ signage has been placed in key areas around South Ayrshire. If you are reporting drone misuse and are close to one of the signs please quote the unique reference number to Police Scotland.
