London and Dubai · Guide for photographers and filmmakers
“The aerial takes five minutes to fly. The paperwork decides whether you can use it.”
In the UK, anyone flying a camera drone of 100g or more now needs a free Flyer ID and a paid Operator ID, and new drones carry class marks that decide how close you can fly to people. In Dubai, commercial drone filming resumed in mid-2026 but needs aviation approval on top of the filming permit, and recreational flying is still suspended. Here is what applies to a paid shoot in each city.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro · SwainUK
01 · UK
What you need to fly in the UK
The UK rules changed on 1 January 2026. The Flyer ID threshold dropped from 250g to 100g, which brings most small camera drones into scope.
| Your drone | Flyer ID | Operator ID |
|---|---|---|
| 250g up to 25kg | Required | Required |
| 100g to 250g, with a camera | Required | Required |
| 100g to 250g, no camera | Required | Optional |
| Under 100g | Recommended | Optional |
A real example: a sub-250g drone like the DJI Mini 4 Pro, which we flew over Verona, still needs both a Flyer ID and an Operator ID in the UK, because it carries a camera. "Under 250g" no longer means "no paperwork".
Flyer ID
A free online theory test from the CAA, valid for five years. It's for the person flying.
Operator ID
About £12 a year, for the person or company responsible for the drone. The number must be labelled on the drone.
Class marks
New drone models now carry a UK class mark (UK0 to UK6). It decides which category you fly in and how close you can be to people.
Remote ID
Class-marked drones broadcast Remote ID. Older camera drones of 100g or more need it from 1 January 2028.
Sources: CAA, what you need to fly legally · CAA, class marks · CAA, Remote ID · Heliguy, UK drone rules from 1 January 2026.
02 · UK, near people
Flying close to people on a shoot
Commercial work often happens near people who aren't part of the shoot. The A2 Certificate of Competence (A2 CofC) is the qualification that lets you fly closer in the Open category.
UK2 class drones with an A2 CofC: no closer than 30m to uninvolved people, or 5m in low-speed mode.
Older drones under 2kg with an A2 CofC: no closer than 50m to uninvolved people.
Beyond the Open category: riskier jobs need an Operational Authorisation from the CAA.
Source: CAA, A2 Certificate of Competence.
03 · London
London-specific checks
Airports
Heathrow, London City and the other airports have flight restriction zones. Check the airspace map for every location before you quote aerials.
Royal Parks
Drones in the Royal Parks need permission, and the Royal Parks charge a drone fee on top of the filming licence.
Landowner permission
Take-off and landing spots need the owner's permission, even when the airspace is clear.
Insurance
Commercial clients and locations will ask for drone liability insurance. Have the certificate ready with the quote.
Source: The Royal Parks, filming and photography.
04 · Dubai and the UAE
Drones on a Dubai shoot
The UAE paused drone flying in 2022 and has been reopening in stages. Commercial operations were cleared to resume on 30 June 2026, while recreational flying in Dubai remains suspended. For a paid shoot that means three layers:
| Layer | Who | What |
|---|---|---|
| National registration and training | GCAA | Pilot and drone registered, training from a GCAA-approved academy |
| Dubai airspace | Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) | A No Objection Certificate for the commercial flight |
| Filming | Dubai Film and TV Commission | The shoot permit, covering the aerial content |
Reported fees are around Dh1,500 for a single commercial flight approval and Dh3,000 for an aerial filming permit, but they change often. For a visiting crew, the simplest route is a licensed local drone operator who already holds the approvals, booked through your production company.
Sources: SkyKnight, GCAA and DCAA lift the ban for commercial operations · Grafdom, Dubai drone rules and permits · The National, UAE drone permits. Confirm the current position before promising aerials.
05 · From our flights
What the rules look like on real jobs
FPV editorial on the coast · FPV over the Gold Finger event · FPV with a model. All filmed by SwainUK.
Each kind of shot asks for different planning. A coastline is easiest when the beach is quiet and you can keep clear of people who aren't part of the shoot. An event flight needs the organiser's agreement and the venue's rules, with guests aware a drone is flying. A fashion shoot with a model still has to respect the distances from everyone else nearby. More of this work is in the FPV and drone portfolio.
06 · Planning
Plan the aerials into the shoot
1. Decide early whether the drone shot is essential. If it is, start approvals first.
2. Scout the take-off spot and check the airspace map for every location.
3. Shoot aerials in the first good light of the day. Wind usually picks up later.
4. Keep uninvolved people out of the frame and away from the flight path.
5. Carry spare batteries and ND filters, and leave a buffer in the schedule for weather.
See also: the Dubai photoshoot permit guide and shooting a commercial in London.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need a Flyer ID for a drone under 250g in the UK?
Yes, if it weighs 100g or more. Since 1 January 2026 the Flyer ID applies from 100g. A drone of 100g or more with a camera also needs an Operator ID.
How much does a UK Operator ID cost?
About £12 a year. The Flyer ID test is free and the Flyer ID lasts five years.
How close can I fly to people on a commercial shoot in the UK?
With an A2 Certificate of Competence, a UK2 class drone can fly 30m from uninvolved people, or 5m in low-speed mode. Older drones under 2kg must stay 50m away.
Can I fly a drone in Dubai for a commercial shoot?
Commercial operations resumed in mid-2026 with DCAA approval and a filming permit. Recreational flying in Dubai remains suspended, so use a licensed local operator.
Written by Joshua Swain, who films commercial work in London and Dubai. See the portfolio. This is general information, not legal or aviation advice; check the current rules before every job.