Drone Novice

[Mottie]

Back on licences and I’m already thinking of taking it on holiday next year - probably Greece or Italy, and I was just checking up on the regs. Apparently, because we aren’t in the EU any more, you need an operator and flyer ID to fly it in a EU country. If you get one in any EU country, you can use it in the others. With me so far? Well, I've just gone and got a French operators ID and a French flyer ID in the A1 and A3 categories. All for free too! All set now for a bit of EU droning. Obviously you have to comply with local regs as they may all be different but the EU operator and flyer ID is a start!

I think I've got it right!

 

[pcaouolte]

Sounds right. Some people get the Irish operator and flyer ID's as they are in the EU and the application is in English.

 

[Mottie]

Sounds right. Some people get the Irish operator and flyer ID's as they are in the EU and the application is in English.

And costs €38!

*French application and test is in English too.

 

[carmanmemoranda]

What you been up to ?

New drone activity reported near Suffolk and Norfolk US airbases

There are fresh reports of drone activity near USAF installations in Norfolk and Suffolk.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Obviously you have to comply with local regs as they may all be different but the EU operator and flyer ID is a start!

Remember to keep it well away from prison walls

 

[Mottie]

Ah well, one set of blades down already!

My son called in on the way home from work to give me my birthday card and present and naturally, I showed him the drone working. Went fine - flew it up and down the gardens and around the area at a fair rate of knots. Came in for a cuppa and I showed him how stable it was indoors except this time it wasn’t and as soon as it took off it went straight into the wall! Turned out I still had it in 'sport' mode and not 'cine' mode. Still flew okay when I put it back into cine mode but to be on the safe side, I changed the two pairs of blades on that side.

 

[pcaouolte]

If you really want to fly it indoors it might be worth investing in a set of blade guards. https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005510641607.html (other reputable suppliers available, this is an example not a recommendation).

 

[ellal]

Had another play with it up and down the street and sent it probably 400 meters away to look at some building work being done on a roof locally. Sun was in my eyes and I lost sight of it!

Just seen your edit...

Well you just about broke all of the major rules!

 

[ellal]

If you really want to fly it indoors it might be worth investing in a set of blade guards.

And just to remind people that if they hope that these guards are also helpful outdoors with drones such as the mini which doesn't have collision avoidance...

They play hell with the stability of the drone unless it's just being used low down and in light winds.

 

[Mottie]

And just to remind people that if they hope that these guards are also helpful outdoors with drones such as the mini which doesn't have collision avoidance...

They play hell with the stability of the drone unless it's just being used low down and in light winds.

Ever lost sight of yours? Only have to shield your eyes when they are at a distance and….gone! Thank F for the RTH!

 

[Elsa TLC]

Pictures are not clear. This is a drone I see in a Lithuanian shop.

It's the size of a washing machine with propellers.

 

[ellal]

Ever lost sight of yours? Only have to shield your eyes when they are at a distance and….gone!

That's why you need a strobe and also don't fly towards the sun...

And get a sun shield for your screen...

But the other point I was making was about you flying it down the street, which as a person who has passed the test should know is against the rules!

 

[Mottie]

But the other point I was making was about you flying it down the street, which as a person who has passed the test should know is against the rules!

Well you just about broke all of the major rules!

Which ones?

In case you're unaware of the rules for the drone I own that you say I broke, from what I've learned, according to the CAA, here they are:

"Drones and model aircraft below 250g
The rules on minimum distances to people are different for drones and model aircraft below 250g. If you’re flying a drone or model aircraft that’s below 250g, you can fly closer to people than 50m and you can fly over them".

Small drones and model aircraft below 250g​

You can fly small drones and model aircraft that are lighter than 250g at residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites.
Remember, you must always fly safely.

Examples of residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites​

Residential sites include:

• individual residential buildings
• small groups of residential buildings
• housing estates
• villages
• cities and towns
• schools

Recreational sites include:

• tourist attractions
• sports facilities
• beaches and parks
• theme parks

Commercial sites include:

• shopping centres
• warehouses
• business parks

Industrial sites include:

• factories
• docks
• rail and transport hubs

So, what were all these major rules you think I broke? Genuinely interested.

 

[pcaouolte]

So, what were all these major rules you think I broke? Genuinely interested.

I'm waiting ellal's reply with interest. The only rule that I think you broke was flying it beyond VLOS. I definitely can't see mine at 400m away, my limit is about 240m although it does depend on the background.

 

[Mottie]

I'm waiting ellal's reply with interest. The only rule that I think you broke was flying it beyond VLOS. I definitely can't see mine at 400m away, my limit is about 240m although it does depend on the background.

Same here. Actually, I've just measured it using Google maps and it’s 393.7 feet so just under 120 metres. Seemed a bloody long way to me at the time though! As I said, it was patchy cloud and when the sun came out from behind a cloud I lost sight of it so I just took my hands off the controls, waited, couldn’t find it so activated the RTH setting. I’m sure that’s happened to most new drone owners before.