ANO 2016 Article 265E Explained – Tethered Drones in the UK

Most UK drone regulations are built around the framework set out in UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947, which governs how unmanned aircraft are categorised and operated. However, tethered drones present a unique case. Because the aircraft is physically restrained by a cable or tether, the associated risks, such as flyaways or uncontrolled horizontal movement, are different from those of free-flying drones.

To account for this, the UK uses a specific provision within the Air Navigation Order 2016, known as Article 265E, to regulate certain tethered operations. This article creates a distinct category for tethered small unmanned aircraft, recognising that their physical restraint can significantly reduce operational risk in some scenarios, while still requiring clear safety, airspace, and competency rules to be followed.

Understanding whether your tethered aircraft falls under Article 265E is important, as the rules are not identical to those that apply to untethered drones in the Open Category. Weight, tether length, pilot competency, and where you fly all determine which requirements apply and whether additional CAA permission is needed.

This guide explains how Article 265E works in practice and breaks the rules down into three clear sections:

• tethered aircraft under 250 g,
• tethered aircraft between 250 g and 1 kg,
• and situations where a specific CAA permission is required.

Legal Overview

Tethered unmanned aircraft that are powered and have a mass greater than 1kg are subject to the same regulatory framework as all other unmanned aircraft.

However, tethered unmanned aircraft with a mass of 1kg or less are not subject to the usual requirements of UK Regulation (EU) 2019/947 but are instead addressed within Article 265E of the Air Navigation Order 2016 as ‘tethered small unmanned aircraft’.

a ‘tethered small unmanned aircraft’ means an unmanned aircraft with a maximum take-off mass (MTOM) of not more than 1 kg, which is flown within limits imposed by a restraining device that attaches the aircraft to the surface or to a person on the surface.

You can read Article 265E of the Air Navigation Order 2016 on legislation.gov.uk:
The Air Navigation Order 2016, Article 265E

Sub-250g aircraft

This section applies to tethered small unmanned aircraft with a maximum take-off mass below 250 g. These aircraft benefit from the lowest level of regulatory restriction under Article 265E, reflecting their lower mass and reduced potential impact energy. The regulations for tethered small unmanned aircraft with a MTOM of below 250 g, closely resemble the Open A1 Category.

Even at this weight, responsibilities are split between the UAS Operator and the Remote Pilot. In many cases, these roles may be fulfilled by the same person, but the legal duties are distinct and both must be met.

Sub-250g UAS Operator requirements

You must register as a UAS Operator and obtain a UK CAA Operator ID if the aircraft has a camera and weighs 100 g or more. You must be 18 years old or over to obtain a UK CAA Operator ID.

You must label your UK CAA Operator ID on every drone or model aircraft you are responsible for. Use the same Operator ID for all your drones or model aircraft. Always label with your Operator ID, not your UK CAA Flyer ID.

Your Operator ID must be:

• visible from the outside, or within a compartment that can easily be accessed without using a tool
• clear and in block capitals taller than 3 mm
• secure and safe from damage
• on the main body of the aircraft

You must report safety occurrences to the CAA under Regulation (EU) 376/2014.

You must designate a remote pilot for each flight.

You must update geo-awareness information on your drone where applicable.

Sub-250g Remote pilot requirements

You must never fly above 120 m AGL. Your drone or model aircraft must never be more than 120 m from the closest point of the earth’s surface. If you fly where the ground falls or rises, such as over hills, mountains or cliffs, you may need to adjust your flight path so that your aircraft is never more than 120 m from the closest point of the earth’s surface.

The maximum permitted tether length is 25 m.

You may fly closer than 50 m horizontally to people, including uninvolved people.

You may fly over people, including uninvolved people.

You may fly within residential, recreational, commercial, or industrial areas.

You must never fly over crowds.

You must carry out safety checks before flight to ensure the aircraft can safely complete the intended flight, and check that Remote ID is active and up to date (if Remote ID is required for your drone).

You must be fit to fly and not under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances, or impaired by injury, fatigue, medication, or illness.

You must maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) at all times and conduct a full visual scan for other aircraft.

You must discontinue the flight if it becomes unsafe or poses a risk to people, animals, property, or the environment.

You must comply with all airspace and location restrictions exactly as published. Do not fly in Flight Restriction Zones, Restricted Areas, Prohibited Areas, Danger Areas, Temporary airspace restrictions, or any other UAS geographical zones without permission.

You must avoid flying close to or inside areas where an emergency response is ongoing unless permission has been given by the responsible emergency services.

You must never drop, lower, or fire anything from the aircraft while it is flying.

You must never carry dangerous cargo.

250g - 1kg aircraft

This section applies to tethered small unmanned aircraft with a maximum take-off mass of 250 g or more, up to a maximum of 1 kg. These aircraft are subject to stricter separation, competency, and operating requirements due to their increased mass and potential risk. The regulations for tethered small unmanned aircraft with a MTOM above 250 g, closely resemble the Open A3 Category.

As with lighter aircraft, responsibilities are split between the UAS Operator and the Remote Pilot, and both sets of requirements must be satisfied.

250g - 1kg UAS Operator requirements

You must register as a UAS Operator and obtain a UK CAA Operator ID. You must be 18 years old or over to obtain a UK CAA Operator ID.

You must label your UK CAA Operator ID on every drone or model aircraft you are responsible for. Use the same Operator ID for all your drones or model aircraft. Always label with your Operator ID, not your UK CAA Flyer ID.

Your Operator ID must be:

• visible from the outside, or within a compartment that can easily be accessed without using a tool
• clear and in block capitals taller than 3 mm
• secure and safe from damage
• on the main body of the aircraft

You must report safety occurrences to the CAA under Regulation (EU) 376/2014.

You must designate a remote pilot for each flight.

You must ensure the remote pilot holds a valid UK CAA Flyer ID.

You must update geo-awareness information on your drone where applicable.

250g - 1kg Remote pilot requirements

You must never fly above 120 m AGL. Your drone or model aircraft must never be more than 120 m from the closest point of the earth’s surface. If you fly where the ground falls or rises, such as over hills, mountains or cliffs, you may need to adjust your flight path so that your aircraft is never more than 120 m from the closest point of the earth’s surface.

The maximum permitted tether length is 25 m.

You must hold a valid UK CAA Flyer ID.

You must reasonably expect that no uninvolved person will be endangered within the area of operation. (i.e. 50 m horizontal separation distance)

You must maintain a horizontal distance of at least 150 m from residential, recreational, commercial or industrial areas.

You must carry proof of your UK CAA Flyer ID while operating.

You must never fly over crowds.

You must carry out safety checks before flight to ensure the aircraft can safely complete the intended flight, and check that Remote ID is active and up to date (if Remote ID is required for your drone).

You must be fit to fly and not under the influence of alcohol or psychoactive substances, or impaired by injury, fatigue, medication, or illness.

You must maintain Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) at all times and conduct a full visual scan for other aircraft.

You must discontinue the flight if it becomes unsafe or poses a risk to people, animals, property, or the environment.

You must comply with all airspace and location restrictions exactly as published. Do not fly in Flight Restriction Zones, Restricted Areas, Prohibited Areas, Danger Areas, Temporary airspace restrictions, or any other UAS geographical zones without permission.

You must avoid flying close to or inside areas where an emergency response is ongoing unless permission has been given by the responsible emergency services.

You must never drop, lower, or fire anything from the aircraft while it is flying.

You must never carry dangerous cargo.

CAA Permissions

The CAA may issue a permission allowing deviations from certain requirements in Article 265E. A permission may authorise one or more of the following:

• operation above the standard 120 m AGL height limit
• deviations from certain overflight or separation requirements
• operation beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS)
• use of a tether longer than 25 m
• dropping articles from the aircraft
• carriage of dangerous goods

Any permission will clearly specify the activities authorised and the conditions under which they may be carried out.

Final Notes

Article 265E provides a clear but narrowly defined framework for operating tethered small unmanned aircraft in the UK. While tethering can significantly reduce certain risks compared to free-flying drones, it does not remove the need to comply with airspace restrictions, safety responsibilities, or operator and pilot obligations.

Before flying, operators and remote pilots should always confirm:

• the aircraft’s maximum take-off mass,
• the intended tether length,
• the operating environment and surrounding airspace,
• and whether the planned operation remains within the standard limits of Article 265E or requires a specific CAA permission.

Where an operation falls outside these limits, a CAA permission must be in place before flight. Operating outside Article 265E without the appropriate permission may constitute an offence under the Air Navigation Order 2016.

As with all unmanned aircraft operations, responsibility ultimately rests with the UAS Operator and Remote Pilot to ensure flights are conducted safely, lawfully, and in accordance with the applicable regulations.