A STATION flight safety officer at Anglesey's RAF Valley is alerting the public to new legislation concerning drone flying.

The new laws, regarding the operation of small unmanned aircraft, came into force on Wednesday, March 13.

They follow the disruption caused by drones over the Christmas period.

North Wales has four aerodromes, covered by the new legislation and there are protected areas around RAF Valley and RAF Mona, covering a large amount of airspace over Anglesey.

There are also restrictions around the airfields at Caernarfon and Hawarden.

While most of the changes made to the law in 2018 remain unaffected, there are some crucial amendments that users should be aware of when planning to fly their drone close to an airfield.

Flight Lieutenant Tom Green, Station Flight Safety Officer, at the RAF Valley airbase said:

“Major changes to the law were made last year, designed to protect manned aircraft from coming into conflict with drones or other small unmanned or remotely controlled aircraft.

"This included the requirement for unmanned aircraft to fly below 400ft, and to stay more than 50m away from private property and individuals as well as 150m from crowds and built up areas.

"The crucial change is that operators must not fly within the flight restricted zone of any airport or airfield unless you have permission to do so."

The restriction zones include rectangular extensions from the end of runways measuring 5km x 1km, as well as the airfields Air Traffic Zone (ATZ) which is a circle of up to 2.5nm radius from a point close to the centre of the aerodrome.

A large number of military aircraft operate as low as 250ft in North Wales, and operators are being warned to be "mindful" of the presence of these aircraft and should "remain well clear at all times."

The Civil Aviation Authority has produced an interactive map which highlights areas which must be avoided can be found at dronesafe.uk/restrictions.

For more information please visit:www.dronesafe.uk To obtain permission to fly close to RAF Valley or RAF Mona, please call:

Air Traffic Control: 01407 762241 Ext 7288