Where can you fly?

[Oscar Cymru]

I was out yesterday just having a bit of fun flying rather than the usual survey work I do and was shouted at by a couple of horse riders. It took me a few minutes to placate them and after 15 minutes we all agreed that ;

a) When someone who is scared/frightened of horses they move out of the way, they don't tell the riders to move.
b) With a couple of minutes training their horse happily accepts a drone 30m from them with out a thought.
c) If they had a positive attitude (as with almost everything to do with horses) then the horse is not frightened, if you ignore the drone then the horse does also.

I work a lot with horses and drones, it takes less than 10 minutes for the horse /pony to accept that it's nothing more than a big fly...

 

[Ren57]

When I'm out flying, My usual method that I apply is I see anyone approaching me is: Put the drone in a hovering position 50 metres or more away from where I'm stood. If the person approaching me talks to me/confronts me with any issues, I explain what I'm doing and tell them that by law THEY need to be 50 metres away from me or I may not be able to complete my mission safely. They usually then shuffle off on their way. If they persist and don't move away, I calmly ask them if they agree to be under my control for the duration of the flight, as this is a legal requirement if my drone comes within 50 metres of them. They won't know what the legal position is, but if they feel that they maybe under any kind of danger, they'll bugger off!

 

[FlushVision]

I was out yesterday just having a bit of fun flying rather than the usual survey work I do and was shouted at by a couple of horse riders. It took me a few minutes to placate them and after 15 minutes we all agreed that ;

a) When someone who is scared/frightened of horses they move out of the way, they don't tell the riders to move.
b) With a couple of minutes training their horse happily accepts a drone 30m from them with out a thought.
c) If they had a positive attitude (as with almost everything to do with horses) then the horse is not frightened, if you ignore the drone then the horse does also.

I work a lot with horses and drones, it takes less than 10 minutes for the horse /pony to accept that it's nothing more than a big fly...

I'm not sure why you titled this thread 'Where Can You Fly?', since your post doesn't seem, on the face of it, to have much to do with the title.

I agree about what you said about horses & drones. There is a place not far from me that is popular with horse riders. I was flying at that place back in 2015 when a couple of horse riders turned up and started moaning at me. Not sure why because they could have seen the drone being flown way before they got anywhere near close...but they chose to continue into my area of operations. If they were that concerned they could have easily chosen a different rout. Methinks they were just out to have a ***** at me because the horses couldn't really care less about the drone.

To answer your title question. You can fly wherever it is legal to fly but remember that (in the U.K.) it isn't always legal to fly from public land. Public land is often controlled and maintained by a local authority who may have imposed a Public Space Protection Order on that land...something that local authorities are turning to more often these days. If such an order has been placed on that land it may preclude the flying of drones. Always best to have a chat with someone at the local authority.

 

[Ren57]

I'm not sure why you titled this thread 'Where Can You Fly?', since your post doesn't seem, on the face of it, to have much to do with the title.

I agree about what you said about horses & drones. There is a place not far from me that is popular with horse riders. I was flying at that place back in 2015 when a couple of horse riders turned up and started moaning at me. Not sure why because they could have seen the drone being flown way before they got anywhere near close...but they chose to continue into my area of operations. If they were that concerned they could have easily chosen a different rout. Methinks they were just out to have a ***** at me because the horses couldn't really care less about the drone.

To answer your title question. You can fly wherever it is legal to fly but remember that (in the U.K.) it isn't always legal to fly from public land. Public land is often controlled and maintained by a local authority who may have imposed a Public Space Protection Order on that land...something that local authorities are turning to more often these days. If such an order has been placed on that land it may preclude the flying of drones. Always best to have a chat with someone at the local authority.

I always always find an apology is much easier than asking for permission. If you go asking permission, especially to a local authority, they will more than likely turn it down. They won't even bother to research drones and any danger issues, they'll just find it easier to turn you down. If someone from the authority turns up whilst you are flying. Apologise, say you didn't know, pack up and move somewhere else.

 

[WTFDproject]

I was out yesterday just having a bit of fun flying … and was shouted at by a couple of horse riders. It took me a few minutes to placate them..

Good Job.
With all regards to the “rights” from both sides (either real or perceived), I’m glad you were able to turn this incident into something positive. It certainly does not sound as if it started out in that direction. Those of us with less talent with people (and horses) could easily have let this turn into an ugly shouting match. Such an altercation seldom does any real good for either viewpoint directly involved in the incident. And it would have been perceived as yet another negative for the flying community. It became a good win instead. A couple of new people seem willing to view our activities as something other than an open invasion of “their” territory. And that’s a good thing.
Once more, GOOD JOB!

 

[FlushVision]

I always always find an apology is much easier than asking for permission. If you go asking permission, especially to a local authority, they will more than likely turn it down. They won't even bother to research drones and any danger issues, they'll just find it easier to turn you down. If someone from the authority turns up whilst you are flying. Apologise, say you didn't know, pack up and move somewhere else.

Oh, generally speaking I would agree. That said, there is an area of moorland not too far away from me that has one of these Public Space Protection Orders on it. The local conservation group regularly use my services to help with their activities but a couple of years ago the authority had a whinge about it and I finished up having to present a safety case to them along with proof of insurance and a copy of my Remote Pilot certificate. They gave their permission so that I can now fly there without being moaned at. Getting a permission from a local authority, then, can be hard to come by, but it can be done. Insurance is the key.

One time I was flying from land owned by the water authority. Generally I've found that the water authority employees don't bother me but this one time a guy came to me and started waving a bit of paper at me saying that I was flying against their policies. I really thought that he was gonna report me or something but I apologized profusely saying that I was ignorant of the rule (I wasn't). I landed immediately and packed up so he went on his way happy that he'd spoiled my fun. I went to another reservoir some miles away where I knew the employees didn't mind and flew the rest of my batteries.

 

[Russell Smith]

I was out yesterday just having a bit of fun flying rather than the usual survey work I do and was shouted at by a couple of horse riders. It took me a few minutes to placate them and after 15 minutes we all agreed that ;

a) When someone who is scared/frightened of horses they move out of the way, they don't tell the riders to move.
b) With a couple of minutes training their horse happily accepts a drone 30m from them with out a thought.
c) If they had a positive attitude (as with almost everything to do with horses) then the horse is not frightened, if you ignore the drone then the horse does also.

I work a lot with horses and drones, it takes less than 10 minutes for the horse /pony to accept that it's nothing more than a big fly...

the method I use is...
1: is it a fly zone...
2: is it an open area ( park )...
3: if someone is there I'll ask if they mind if I fly...

I've never had anyone say no so far... as a matter of fact they ask if they can watch... and if they do say no, then I'll move down or go to a different location out of respect...

 

[ChuckBridges]

My new favourite place is in the mountains at the Atlas Staging Area. This area is used by snowmobiles to gather and leave in groups, or sometimes individually. I ask when I get there, and so far the response I have gotten is"I can't even hear myself on this, why should I care. I like to ask permission first. Puts everyone at ease and makes for an enjoyable time. They also ask how fast is it. When I tell them about 40 kph max, they tell me I can't keep up anyway.

 

[Good time Charlie]

As the saying goes, "All's well that ends well."

I've only been approached a few times, Twice by local LE and a several times by passers by. So far I've simply told them I'll talk at length after I land the "drone" then largely ignore them while bringing the craft in for an immediate landing.

One officer took some level of affront at being ignored for several minutes but quieted down after ID, questions, looking in car windows and figuring out I wasn't really doing anything wrong.

An old fart in a toney suburb took the opportunity to b**** (another word for complain) about drones near Heathrow and the downfall of all things righteous and safe at the hands of selfish daredevils like myself. (bet he was wearing MAGA undies)

The rest were simply curious interested folk who respected the attention I give to my aircraft to keep them safe while I pursue my hobby. Polite, informative and respectful is usually the best route. But don't back down if'n yer right and have the freedom to fly the location you're at.

 

[PatR]

I wear MAGA apparel. What’s the problem?[emoji848]

 

[Good time Charlie]

I wear MAGA apparel. What’s the problem?[emoji848]

For you? Nuthin'. For the rest of us? It oftentimes indicates a predisposed mindset that many of us find less than savory. This is not a hard and fast rule, but more a generality that must be ascertained on a case by case basis.

 

[FlushVision]

As the saying goes, "All's well that ends well."

I've only been approached a few times, Twice by local LE and a several times by passers by. So far I've simply told them I'll talk at length after I land the "drone" then largely ignore them while bringing the craft in for an immediate landing.

One officer took some level of affront at being ignored for several minutes but quieted down after ID, questions, looking in car windows and figuring out I wasn't really doing anything wrong.

An old fart in a toney suburb took the opportunity to b**** (another word for complain) about drones near Heathrow and the downfall of all things righteous and safe at the hands of selfish daredevils like myself. (bet he was wearing MAGA undies)

The rest were simply curious interested folk who respected the attention I give to my aircraft to keep them safe while I pursue my hobby. Polite, informative and respectful is usually the best route. But don't back down if'n yer right and have the freedom to fly the location you're at.

I was doing a recreational flight with a Phantom the other day to get images of an iron age settlement site in West Yorkshire when a jogger came panting up to me. I thought: 'here we go', but the woman wheezed 'Is that a drone?'. Me: 'yes', she: 'will you take some pictures of my house?', me: 'where is it?', she: 'over there' pointing at a dwelling seven or eight hundred feet away. Me: I'll see what I can do'. She: 'thanks' and jogged off. I like encounters like that.

 

[PatR]

For you? Nuthin'. For the rest of us? It oftentimes indicates a predisposed mindset that many of us find less than savory. This is not a hard and fast rule, but more a generality that must be ascertained on a case by case basis.

That predisposed mindset often includes performing research to reach a conclusion instead of accepting extremely flawed dogma or flat out lies. From that point deciding to do the right thing instead of the socially or politically acceptable expedient to resolve a situation to right a wrong. That mindset often encompasses leaders instead of followers. Those that appreciate freedom instead of government control also tend to migrate in the MAGA direction as they understand socialism only benefits the ruling class. All the others suffer.

 

[Good time Charlie]

That predisposed mindset often includes performing research to reach a conclusion instead of accepting extremely flawed dogma or flat out lies. From that point deciding to do the right thing instead of the socially or politically acceptable expedient to resolve a situation to right a wrong. That mindset often encompasses leaders instead of followers. Those that appreciate freedom instead of government control also tend to migrate in the MAGA direction as they understand socialism only benefits the ruling class. All the others suffer.

Have at it. Was just enjoyin' a little sport in conversation. Not here to argue politics.

 

[Good time Charlie]

Btw...you're kinda proving my point. Just saying. So How's about we put this dust up aside, shake hands while thinking each of us is misguided, and talk drones?

 

[ChuckBridges]

Btw...you're kinda proving my point. Just saying. So How's about we put this dust up aside, shake hands while thinking each of us is misguided, and talk drones?

I heartily endorse this position. i come here for companionship, mental stimulation and for enjoyment. Let us all talk drones, their uses, pro's, cons, and what we can do with them. Drones are the one thing we all have in common !

 

[PatR]

I agree to the hand shake. Something I think is important though; don’t disparage a group of people and expect everyone to ignore it. Some still believe in defending their freedom.

 

[Trav H]

Speaking of freedom... Does anyone have experience flying in New York State parks? After doing an internet search it appears you need permission. So I called Letchworth State Park and they said just come to the office and talk to the person on duty the day you arrive. Sounds like a "no" to me, but wondering if anyone has been successful.

 

[PatR]

That sounds more like an invitation to get to know you and advise you of the best places to fly along with places to avoid. If they would not allow it they would have just said no.

You should take advantage of the opportunity. It could grow into more that you could hope for if you present yourself properly. They can’t arrest you for asking permission[emoji6]

 

[AH-1G]

Speaking of freedom... Does anyone have experience flying in New York State parks? After doing an internet search it appears you need permission. So I called Letchworth State Park and they said just come to the office and talk to the person on duty the day you arrive. Sounds like a "no" to me, but wondering if anyone has been successful.

If they say yes, ask him where's a good scenic area to fly, then offer him a picture as a screen saver. You never know?
Give him your card or ask for his email.