Drone Policy
The Old Royal Naval College, a Grade-I listed heritage site within a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has stringent restrictions on the use of drones. Unauthorised drone usage is prohibited due to the potential risks posed to the architectural integrity of the historic buildings and to safeguard the public. Damage resulting from unlicensed drone activity may lead to prosecution under The Criminal Damage Act 1971.
Drone use at the Old Royal Naval College is considered on a case-by-case basis, generally restricted to professional or commercial filming purposes. Permission is granted only to licensed and insured operators working within established production companies, and applications must meet all criteria set by our team. Requests from amateur or student operators, or proposals that exchange drone footage for access, will not be approved.
UK Drone Legislation
All drone operations must comply with UK drone regulations:
- Operator Registration: All drone operators (owners) must be registered with the CAA if their drone qualifies. Failure to register or display an Operator ID on the aircraft may result in an offence under ANO Article 265A(3).
- Operational Restrictions: Exceptions to registration include drones classified as “Toys” and drones weighing less than 250g without recording-capable cameras.
- Endangerment Offences: Reckless or negligent operation endangering people or property breaches Article 241 of the Air Navigation Order 2016, an offence ‘Triable Either Way’.
Application Process
Drone applications must be submitted to filming@ornc.org with 2 weeks notice of the proposed filming date. Required documents include:
- Pilot Licence – Proof of a valid licence appropriate to the flight class and project.
- Risk Assessment (RA) – A detailed risk assessment specific to drone operations at the site.
- Insurance Documentation – Evidence of valid insurance covering drone operations (if applicable).
- Flight Plan – Including proposed flight timings, specific geofencing to prevent overflight of College buildings, and any mitigations in place.
- CAA Permission – Official permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), if required.