1 · The open category
The Isle of Man has its own rules: the Civil Aviation (Small Unmanned Aircraft) Order 2020 (SD 2020/0135), amended on 1 September 2026. The IOMCAA states it: the British and European rules on small unmanned aircraft do not apply on the island, and the UK CAA’s permissions are not valid there.
- One drone at a time (except under 100 g); no night flying (except under 250 g); no aircraft of 4 kg or more without permission.
- Direct line of sight without aids; for FPV, an observer directly next to the pilot, for all drones.
- 400 ft at most (except drones under 250 g).
- Distances: 5 km from the airport for a drone of 250 g or more; 150 m from a substantially residential, industrial, commercial or recreational area and from a gathering of more than 1,000 people; 50 m from a vessel, vehicle, structure or person; 30 m from a person at take-off and landing (except drones under 250 g).
- Jurby prison: prohibited to everyone.
- Permission: the Department grants permission on an acceptable safety case (CAA Form 4).
2 · Zones: airport, prison and TT
The zones are described in the Order’s schedules and in publications CP4A and CP4B: a 5 km circle around the airport, Jurby prison, and a restriction up to 3,000 ft AMSL during the Tourist Trophy and the Manx Grand Prix; temporary restrictions appear on the airspace restrictions page. The IOMCAA publishes the list of permission holders; no application or geographical data is stated.
⚠️ Glydar’s map does not display the Isle of Man’s regulations: the maps in the Order and in the IOMCAA’s CP4 publications prevail, to be consulted before every flight — see the coverage, country by country.
3 · Registration, exam and insurance
- Registration, the Operator ID, the minimum age and mandatory training are not stated in the sources consulted; the A2 CofC is accepted as proof of competence for a permission, without being required.
- Insurance: strongly recommended, not mandatory.
4 · FPV and night flying
FPV: an observer stands directly next to the pilot (art. 8); this applies to all drones, whatever their mass.
At night: prohibited, except for a drone under 250 g (art. 5, para. 4).
5 · Before every flight
- Airport: 5 km; Jurby prison: prohibited; during the TT: ceiling of 3,000 ft AMSL.
- One drone at a time; no night flying; 400 ft.
- Built-up areas and gatherings: 150 m; observer for FPV.
This guide simplifies — it replaces neither the official texts nor an up-to-date check. In case of doubt: the IOMCAA (the Isle of Man Civil Aviation Administration).
6 · Penalties: what the law says
The Order (art. 13) punishes, depending on the article breached:
- Articles 10 or 11 (height, distances): a fine not exceeding level 4, on summary conviction.
- Articles 5(2), 5(3), 5(4), 6, 8(1): a fine not exceeding level 5, on summary conviction.
- Articles 5(1) (endangering), 7, 9 (airport): level 5 on summary conviction, or, on information, a fine or up to 5 years’ custody, or both.
The pound amounts of the levels are not stated in the sources consulted. The text of the law prevails, not this page.
7 · Your responsibility, and what Glydar does
Glydar informs; it exempts from nothing. This guide draws on official sources but is not an official source, does not guarantee that they are exhaustive or up to date, and does not amount to authorisation to fly.
The remote pilot remains solely responsible for the flight and its compliance, as the terms of use recall. Everything needed to check is within reach: the coverage, country by country, the official map and the texts cited below.