I believe that the ban includes all MOD property and RFCA owned estate. It is because of the risk of some far eastern manufactured drones that have built in recording facilities, connecting to WiFi and a GPS location, sending the data directly to intelligence services in the far east. Genius bit of intelligence gathering, I am reluctant to admit.
Step outside the RFCA estate, operate the drone, and you’re in the clear.
“Recreational use of SUA in the DE (Defence Estate = entire MoD estate including the volunteer estate) is permitted if the risk has been assessed and the appropriate control measures are in place. SUA Operations must be conducted in accordance with current Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulations.”
And…
13. RAFAC units seeking approval for recreational usage of SUA on the DE must have the support of a MoD sponsor. Examples of acceptable sponsors would be permanent RAFAC region or wing staff or regular service personnel. The appointed sponsor will be required to submit an Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Recreational Use Approvals Form ([Annex B to 2018DIN02-015] on behalf of the RAFAC unit, to the appropriate MoD unit outlining the proposed SUA operation.
Would a local sponsor (we have other units on site with permanent staff) be acceptable - after all it is their site (and their RAs) and our WHQ isn’t exactly local.
I’m considering attaching anything we fly to a guide wire anyway so we don’t lose the darned thing