Operational safety document
UK Drone Risk Assessment & Method Statement
A proportionate baseline for routine commercial filming and photography, primarily with a C2-marked DJI Mavic 4 Pro in the UK Open A2 sub-category under a valid A2 CofC. A sub-250g A1 aircraft may be selected where it is better suited to the location.
- Status
- Active
- Version
- 2.0
- Reviewed
- 2 August 2026
- Review by
- 31 December 2027
Scope limit
The primary operating case is a C2-marked Mavic 4 Pro in Open A2 with a valid A2 CofC. Confirm the class label on the actual aircraft before relying on C2 privileges. European C2 marks are recognised as equivalent to UK2 only until 31 December 2027 under current CAA rules, so this RAMS must be reviewed before that date.
Operating envelope
Applicability and assumptions
Primary: DJI Mavic 4 Pro bearing a valid C2 label, approximately 1.1kg, operated as the UK2 equivalent during the current recognition period. Secondary: camera-equipped sub-250g aircraft in A1.
Low-risk commercial stills or video in Open A2, outdoors and within VLOS, by day unless the aircraft has the required green flashing light for night operations.
For the Mavic 4 Pro A2 operation: no intentional overflight of uninvolved people; normally at least 30m horizontal separation. A sub-250g A1 aircraft follows its applicable A1 rules.
Within unaided visual line of sight, no higher than 120m from the closest point of the earth’s surface, with a clear recovery option throughout.
| Proceed under this RAMS | Stop and reassess |
|---|---|
| C2 label verified; valid A2 CofC, Flyer ID, Operator ID, and insurance; at least 30m from uninvolved people unless a separately assessed low-speed reduction applies; no overflight; airspace checked; VLOS and safe recovery achievable. | Missing or inapplicable class label; expired qualification; separation cannot be maintained; any crowd overflight; FRZ or restricted airspace without permission; BVLOS; no safe landing option; or an authorisation-dependent task. |
Compliance
Legal and competence basis
- Remote pilot holds a valid A2 CofC and Flyer ID for the primary Open A2 operation.
- Operator holds a valid Operator ID for a camera-equipped aircraft and displays it correctly on the aircraft.
- Commercial third-party insurance complies with Assimilated Regulation (EU) 785/2004.
- The Mavic 4 Pro C2 class label and current UK recognition of that class are confirmed before selecting A2.
- Default separation is at least 30m horizontally from uninvolved people with no intentional overflight. Reduction to 5m is used only with active low-speed mode and a recorded assessment of weather, aircraft performance, and the operating area.
- Current CAA Drone Code, airspace restrictions, and any site permissions are checked before flight.
Roles
Responsibilities
- UAS Operator
- Registration, insurance, maintenance, procedures, records, and ensuring the operation can be conducted lawfully.
- Remote Pilot
- Final go/no-go decision, safe conduct of the flight, VLOS, airspace awareness, and immediate response to changing conditions.
- Observer
- Optional and used only where it reduces workload. The observer remains co-located and does not extend the permitted VLOS range.
Risk assessment
Generic risk register
Residual ratings assume every listed control is applied and the operation remains inside the stated scope.
| Hazard | Potential outcome | Initial | Required controls | Residual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uninvolved people | Impact injury, alarm, or distraction during launch, recovery, or flight. | High | For Mavic 4 Pro A2 flights, maintain at least 30m horizontal separation and never intentionally overfly uninvolved people. Use 5m only in active low-speed mode after the required situational assessment. Increase separation where height, weather, performance, or movement of people warrants it; pause or land if the distance cannot be maintained. | Low |
| Loss of control or link | Flyaway, uncontrolled landing, property damage, or injury. | High | Aircraft and controller checks; suitable home point and RTH altitude; conservative range; continuous telemetry monitoring; recover immediately if control quality degrades. | Low |
| Battery or propulsion failure | Forced landing, falling aircraft, or battery fire. | High | Use serviceable batteries and propellers; check damage, swelling, charge, and temperature; retain landing reserve; remove suspect equipment from service. | Low |
| Weather deterioration | Loss of stability, reduced visibility, or inability to return safely. | High | Check forecast and live conditions; remain within manufacturer limits with a conservative margin; do not launch in precipitation; land before conditions exceed the planned threshold. | Low |
| Airspace infringement | Conflict with other aircraft or breach of an airspace restriction. | High | Check current airspace, NOTAMs, FRZs, temporary restrictions, and nearby aerodromes using authoritative information; obtain permission where required; land immediately for conflicting traffic. | Low |
| Obstacles and structures | Collision, falling debris, or damage to third-party property. | Medium | Walk or visually survey the operating area; identify wires, trees, cranes, masts, and moving vehicles; set a conservative flight path and keep a usable contingency landing area. | Low |
| Wildlife | Bird strike, disturbance, or aggressive interaction. | Medium | Check for active wildlife and nesting behaviour; avoid sensitive areas; do not pursue animals; increase separation or land if wildlife reacts to the aircraft. | Low |
| Pilot distraction or impairment | Reduced situational awareness and delayed response. | Medium | Do not fly when fatigued, impaired, or overloaded; defer conversation during flight; use an observer when it meaningfully reduces workload; land if concentration is compromised. | Low |
| Privacy and data handling | Intrusive capture, complaint, or unlawful processing of identifiable imagery. | Medium | Capture only what is necessary; avoid persistent or targeted filming of individuals; provide privacy information where required; store, share, and retain footage under the applicable data-protection basis. | Low |
| Public challenge | Conflict or distraction during a safety-critical phase. | Medium | Remain calm; explain the activity after landing; do not argue while airborne; terminate the flight if safe concentration cannot be maintained. | Low |
Method statement
Planned operating sequence
- 01
Plan
Confirm the task, C2 label, A2 CofC and IDs, 30m people-separation plan, insurance, site access, airspace, NOTAMs, and forecast. Select the sub-250g aircraft instead where it materially reduces ground risk.
- 02
Assess
On arrival, scan people, traffic, obstacles, wildlife, RF environment, weather, launch point, flight path, and emergency landing options.
- 03
Prepare
Inspect aircraft, propellers, batteries, controller, storage, firmware status, IDs, home point, geo-awareness, and RTH settings.
- 04
Brief
Confirm roles, planned flight area, communication, abort call, public approach response, and emergency actions. An observer is optional unless the assessment calls for one.
- 05
Fly
Maintain VLOS, airspace awareness, and the applicable people separation; do not intentionally overfly uninvolved people in A2; monitor battery and link; land whenever risk increases.
- 06
Close
Shut down safely, inspect aircraft and batteries, secure footage, record defects or unusual events, and report any occurrence that meets CAA or AAIB criteria.
Before launch
Site-specific go / no-go gate
- Task, C2-marked aircraft, and Open A2 operation remain inside this RAMS scope
- Airspace and NOTAM check is current
- Required permission and lawful site access confirmed
- Weather and visibility are within the planned limit
- No crowd, no intentional overflight, and required separation from uninvolved people can be maintained
- VLOS and safe recovery can be maintained
- Aircraft, batteries, C2 label, A2 CofC, IDs, and insurance are valid
- Emergency landing options remain available
Decision rule: if any item cannot be confirmed, do not launch until it is resolved or separately assessed.
Contingencies
Emergency actions
- Other aircraft
- Yield immediately, descend, and land when safe. Manned aviation always takes priority.
- Loss of link / control
- Use the planned failsafe or RTH only where it remains safe; warn people if necessary and track the aircraft visually.
- Low battery / defect
- End the task and land in the nearest safe option without exhausting the planned reserve.
- Crash or injury
- Stop the operation, assist people, call emergency services where required, isolate damaged batteries only if safe, preserve evidence, and record the event.
- Reportable occurrence
- Follow current CAA occurrence-reporting guidance and notify the AAIB and/or CAA where the reporting criteria are met.
Governance
Privacy, records, and review
Privacy
Plan framing to avoid unnecessary identifiable capture. Where data-protection law applies, document the purpose and lawful basis, make privacy information accessible, restrict access, and retain footage only as long as required.
Records
Retain the task brief, site-specific assessment, pilot and operator credentials, insurance evidence, relevant permissions, defects, maintenance actions, and incident or near-miss records as appropriate.
Review triggers
Review this baseline after a regulatory change, significant equipment change, occurrence, recurring near miss, new operating environment, or evidence that a control is no longer effective.
Reference basis