Total UK Drone Operators Registered 2019

Gary Mortimer

The King of the Freedom Of Information Act strikes again! This time Ian Hudson asked the UK CAA how many folks registered drones in December 2019. In particular how many were added to the list after being left under the Christmas tree.

In November, the start of the scheme 60,300 drone operators registered and they were joined by a further 21,351 folks in December. About 100,000 people short by our calculations to make the £9 fee cost-effective.

5540 folks registered between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve, perhaps there are a few more presents to be registered but if this points towards sales for Christmas 2019 in the UK I am surprised at the low number.

More FOIA’s to come, numbers need to ramp to avoid an increased fee.

Dear Civil Aviation Authority,

1. Between 1st Dec 2019 and 31st, Dec 2019 how many people registered as drone operators where the £9 fee was payable?
2. Of this number how many were between 25th and 31st Dec?

Yours faithfully,

I Hudson

Dear Mr/ Ms Hudson

Thank you for your request of 2 January 2020, for the release of information held by the
Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Your request has been considered in line with the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA).

Your request and our response:

1. Between 1st Dec 2019 and 31st Dec 2019 how many people registered as drone operators where the £9 fee was payable?

21,351.

2. Of this number how many were between 25th and 31st Dec?

5,540.

If you are not satisfied with how we have dealt with your request in the first instance you should approach the CAA in writing at:-

Caroline Chalk
Head of External Information Services
Civil Aviation Authority
Aviation House
Beehive Ring Road
Crawley
RH6 0YR