It happened yet again. Just to give you some background.
I took off from a public footpath which was deserted, the sleepy village was deserted so took some nice still shots with my camera, had a wander round the lovely old churchyard and got out the drone.
Within 30 seconds an old couple came out of their garden to inform me that drone flying is illegal. I went over and asked them why they thought that, they were under the impression that if my photos had shots of their property or dogs in the yard then it was illegal.
I explained that I had taken some photos earlier with my camera and they must have been watching me yet they didn’t object up to the point that I flew the drone and showed them the photos that I had taken of the church with the drone not one had any photo of their house or dogs. I asked them if I flew over their house in my paramotor and took photos, would they object? They said no, but drone flying is illegal now because of Gatwick…
I really didn’t want to get into any argument so packed up and came home.
It doesnt help at all when youve got these idiots (who REALLY should know better) spouting off rubbish like this :
https://ikopta.co.uk/clueless-careless-criminal-new-nats-drone-categories-which-one-are-you/
Cheers NATS!!!
BTW, love the photo. Beautifully summery! 
Strange lot in Cawood, I delivered milk there for a good few years.
Only had good experiences down there though, including taking lots of photos for the local farmer.
Better to carry on down church lane then take a left and park at the pond on the left (PM me if u want further details)
To be honest I think it may have been better to politely correct them, so that it’s 2 less ill informed idiots out there.
Nice photo though.
Have to admit after flying drones for a few years without a care in the world I’ve noticed the last few months if I see anything of interest I now drive down the road a bit to a quiet spot and then fly the drone back. Probably sub consciously avoiding confrontations.
Saying that, previous problem areas that I revisit, I still do the same thing but instead I use the Typhoon H just to annoy the whingers more…they wanna moan about a little mavic pro then I’ll gladly give them something bigger and louder to moan about…
I did try and be polite but the gent was having none of it. His wife was polite and I showed them the photos, but the gent was pig ignorant, just didn’t want to know and practically barged me out of the way as he went past. The lady even gave me some information about the church.
Thanks for that Chris, I did scope out the area further down church lane but I wanted to have eyes on my Drone because I wanted the view from the front so took off from the footpath, which is called Wolsley walk after Cardinal Wolsley who apparently spent his last night at Cawood. Amazing some of the stuff you discover.
You couldn’t make it up could you.
Same church, two months ago:
I hope it’s clear from this still that the man outside the church is pointing an imaginary rifle at my drone. He had previously “cocked” the weapon.
Forgivable behaviour in a 10-year-old, but a pathetic look for a bald man in his 30s-40s. That said, to be fair, he might say the same about a fat, bald 50s-60s man flying a toy helicopter…!
I was in beautiful downtown Kelfield, on the other side of the river.
Another fact, Humpty Dumpty lived in Cawood Castle.
Ignorant people. Although, being empathic, if you had no interest in drones, and saw one hovering near your house, I guess a lot of people would question it’s motives.
Suppose it’s ok for Hot Air balloon to fly over with 10 people pointing cameras from the basket.
That’s exactly what I said. I asked why they thought that a drone was different from any other camera in the sky…
They said it was because of Heathrow.
I pointed out that Heathrow was actually a model aeroplane and not a drone that was seen, and was caught by the police.
I didn’t want to start to get into an argument, but I also wanted to defend my right to enjoy my hobby of photography and flying my drone. It’s a very fine line.
You should have simply explained to them that you had no interest in filming them, their dog or their garden. When you could be …
Flying near ATM machines recording peoples pin numbers. With the invisible massive telephoto lens fitted to your drone.
Videoing through peoples bedroom windows. Its the main reason you bought a drone.
Or just head off to Gatwick for a 36 hours mega mayhem flight, and recommend they watched you on the news later.
Speaking as an old biddy myself i would of politely put the old biddys wise. They need educating.
You’ll find a high viz vest makes you look official enough to deter most people. When they do ask you just tell them you’re an aerial photographer and do surveys. They assume you’re official
Agreed - I leave an orange hi viz in the car all the time, looks even more official 