I thought I’d share some thoughts on drone-code compliance since we keep seeing queries about this, and it may help some people to have some real-world examples.
Photos 1 and 7-10 were all taken using my Article 16 Operational Authorisation. For photo 1 in particular I was flying directly above an uninvolved person (>30m up). I guess there could be some debate about photo 7, as that was taken using the M2Z’s Super Zoom mode, I’m not sure if that counts as
flown ‘manually’ using traditional control inputs rather than with any automation other than for flight stabilisation purposes
and tbh, I didn’t spend any time thinking about it. That would be daft.
There were people out walking, cycling and riding horses on paths in this area, so Article 16 is definitely the way to go to save even having to think about whether it’s Open A3.
Photos 2-6 were taken with the drone hovering above an industrial and/or commercial area. I could not see any people present (it was a Sunday, after all). These were all taken using my A2 CofC: flying in an industrial/commercial area but >50m horizontally from any uninvolved people.