This end-of-year episode explores the viability of delivery of Christmas gifts by drone in UK airspace. Someone has ambitious plans involving the precision drop of parcels down chimneys. We discuss the legal risks that arise and the hurdles that will have to be jumped if the Civil Aviation Authority is to authorise that plan.

Further reading:

• The primary guidance document for those wishing to operate unmanned aircraft systems within the UK is CAP722.  It sets out the relevant law and provides substantial amounts of operational material and guidance.
• The Civil Aviation Authority’s ‘Drone and Model Aircraft Code’ can be found here.
• The two legislative sources referred to in the podcast are the Air Navigation Order 2016 and the Civil Aviation Act 1982.