The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has released new figures under the Freedom of Information Act (Ref: F0007412) showing a significant decline in Flyer ID renewals. The Flyer ID is a mandatory competency certificate for drone pilots in the UK, with a validity period of five years. The figures, obtained by HireDronePilot, raise concerns about potential non-compliance among UK drone operators.
The CAA data reveals that in 2024, 100,739 Flyer IDs expired without renewal, while only 6,954 were renewed, resulting in a 14:1 expiry-to-renewal ratio. In the first five months of 2025 (to 31 May), 98,601 Flyer IDs expired, with only 2,296 renewals recorded, representing a 43:1 ratio. If this trend continues, the annual expiries for 2025 could reach approximately 237,000.
In contrast, Operator ID renewals, which register the person or business responsible for a drone, appear to be more stable. However, the data shows that 256,410 Operator IDs have expired since the launch of the system.
Peter Leslie, a GVC-certified drone pilot and director of HireDronePilot, expressed concern about the significant drop in Flyer ID renewals. He stated, “Hundreds of thousands of people took the Flyer ID test in 2019, but the renewal data shows the system is losing them at scale. We’re heading for a compliance cliff – and a communications failure.”
The Flyer ID and Operator ID are two separate IDs required for drone operators in the UK. The Flyer ID proves that the pilot has passed a competency test, while the Operator ID registers the person or business responsible for the drone. While Operator ID renewals remain relatively steady, Flyer ID renewals have seen a dramatic decline, indicating confusion between the two systems, ineffective reminders, or a large number of one-time test-takers who do not fly regularly.
Experts suggest several possible factors for the decline, including public confusion between the two IDs, weak renewal reminders, and terminology shifts that have outpaced public understanding. It is also possible that a significant number of people who passed the test once do not continue to fly.
The CAA data covers the period from 2019 to 2025 (year-to-date as at 31 May 2025) and can be accessed on the HireDronePilot website.
HireDronePilot is a UK-based marketplace that connects organizations with vetted, insured drone pilots nationwide. For media enquiries, please contact Peter Leslie at HireDronePilotPeter@hiredronepilot.uk.
About HireDronePilot:
HireDronePilot is a UK managed marketplace connecting organisations with vetted, insured drone pilots nationwide.