Drones.

[GudrunBrangwen]

Last week there was a large (probably about a foot across) drone flying over our garden, over the field behind us, over our neighbours' gardens and so on and it didn't appear to be particularly well controlled.

It made a hell of a racket too, and was really disturbing, particularly as it hovered above my head while I was hanging out the washing and I had to stop and go in, being afraid it was about to crash land on my head.

The sound is horrible, like a massive swarm of bees - I don't know if it had a camera, and I didn't know who was flying it.

Nasty feeling.

I'm afraid I stuck my finger up at it, knowing if it were filming me they would see that but if not, then no harm done... but I realised after a while that it was being flown by an old boy and probably his grandsons, so I felt bad about it then.

But honestly having one of those things above your head when you've no idea of its intentions is really, really scary.

Apparently people like Amazon and some other delivery services (Finnish Post Office!) are trialling them to deliver parcels.

I think it's an appalling idea but in the meantime, does anyone know what the rules are about flying them above other people's property and so on?

I think it's a problem that's going to get worse.

I'm not so worried about the bigger ones, TBH, because commercial drones will have to be regulated, and it will be easier to gain satisfaction from a complaint.

It's the cheapie mini-drones, operated by idiots with no training, no idea of the rules - in short, no accountability - which particularly worry me!

The CAA website notes:
^Permission is not required if:
the aircraft will not be flown close to people or properties, and you will not get ‘valuable consideration’ (i.e. payment) from the flight, then a permission is not needed;

Permission is also not required for ‘practice’ or demonstration flights. However, the other requirements of Articles 166 and 167 must still be complied with, and it must also be ensured that no one is endangered while flying the aircraft.

The regulations are intended to protect people and / or properties that are not involved in the activity. They are also aimed at being as ‘light touch’ and proportionate as possible, so there is a great deal that can be done (especially for private or recreational flights) without the need to approach the CAA at all.

*But how do individuals under the flight path know whether there has been any permission sought, or granted?^

Ooh marvellous, many thanks for all this info. I don't think I'll call the police about this incident as it's passed now and I think the older guy might be a neighbour - saw him trying it out last year over the parked cars in the street

I assume he might have it for his work etc. Not sure.

But if they come back again with it I might report it, depending on where they let it go this time.

They couldn't have seen it above our garden. There is a massive hedge next door (leylandii) which is at least 20ft tall and the drone as around that height and beyond the hedge, so there's no way it was visible to the operator.

Glad to have some clarification of the different types as well, it's all quite fascinating.

lurkinghusband is that the same for your property?

lurkinghusband is that the same for your property?

The bits of your property that can be seen from a public space ?

Yes.

How else do Google/Apple and estate agents get pictures ?

The law steps in if harassment, or other offences are suspected. Pointing a camera at a window may be an offence.

But if you or I are walking down a public street, anyone may snap as many pics as they like.

I spoke to 101 about it just for information. They had to look up the CAA rules as they didn't really know - but they said they'd have a word if I called, it's just they would probably take around 4 hours to attend as it wouldn't be classed as an emergency.

Suggested I speak to the people doing it.
Ho hum.

cheers lurking also if someone was making money off those images, video etc then would they need non disclosure agreements and or remove faces like google?

IF you are on public property, you can be photographed and filmed at will (some restrictions being filmed). If you are on private property and you can be seen from public then you still should be safe from photographs/filming unless what you're doing is considered to be of public interest.

As for the drones I have a fair amount of dealings with them in my employment. And anyone who deals with drones will know the legislations and guidelines presented by the CAA. We do not need more laws and legislation to tighten regulations around drone operations in the commercial world (they are not the problem). Drones are very cheap and easy to purchase and are becoming accessible to anyone. This is the main problem. There are more restrictions and information passed on when you buy a new TV then when you buy a drone. (Name and address for TV licensing purposes). I have always said and advocate that the CAA need to have a list provided by the retailers of the person buying the drones details and the serial number of the drone. The retailers need to do more in this chain. They should be for providing important information to the people purchasing these drones. Therefore when something does happen the CAA will have the details of the people who own the drone and serial numbers of the drone.

As far as involving the police I wouldn't bother it's not a criminal act but a civil matter. I would just approach your neighbour and politely ask him to do it in a public area, in a park or in a wide open space. Not above other peoples houses and gardens.

My hubby shot one down with his air rifle, we had a visit from the police after but they told us we were within our rights because it was flying over our garden and the kids were in and out in their bottoms n swim nappies in the paddling pool. Hubby said he didn't know who it belonged to but if they wanted to press for crim damage etc he'd report them for taking footage if the kids half naked. Never heard anymore of it

Yes, television license style information-gathering might be an idea, particularly the point about passing information both ways!

(It would also mean that all but the greatest numpties wouldn't risk losing line-of-sight control of a drone, since a lost or stolen drone could be used for purposes which would then be traced back to the numpty-owners!)