Angel of the North - Added to Monuments in North East

I have just added this to the map of places to fly your drone at Drone Scene:

The Angel of the North is a contemporary sculpture by Antony Gormley, located in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England.

Completed in 1998, it is seen by an estimated 33 million people every year due to its proximity to the A1 and A167 roads and the East Coast Main Line.

The design of the Angel, like many of Gormley’s works, is based on Gormley’s own body. The COR-TEN weathering steel material gives the sculpture its distinctive rusty, oxidised colour. It stands 20 metres (66 ft) tall with a wingspan of 54 metres (177 ft). The vertical ribs on its body and wings act as an external skeleton which direct oncoming wind to the sculpture’s foundations, allowing it to withstand wind speeds of over 100 miles per hour (160 km/h).

The sculpture was commissioned and delivered by Gateshead Council who approached Gormley to be the sculptor. Although initially reluctant, Gormley agreed to undertake the project after visiting and being inspired by the Angel’s proposed site, a former colliery overlooking the varied topography of the Tyne and Wear Lowlands National Character Area.

Hartlepool Steel Fabrications were responsible for the manufacture and assembly of the 208-tonne sculpture. On 14 February 1998, the Angel was transported overnight to the installation site and erected the next morning. The project faced opposition during its design and construction, but is now widely recognised as an iconic example of public art and a symbol of Gateshead and the wider North East region.

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I Love it. thanks for sharing

Hi, Did you need permission to fly here? As I’m from teesside and would like to take my mavic here.

You may not get a response from the original poster since this was an anonymous cross-post from DroneScene.

Someone else might know, though, and let you know.

No worries, I didn’t realise it was a cross post. Still getting used to the forum. Haha.

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Gateshead council claim you need permission, even though it is public land. Orla Mcgreevy orlamcgreevy@gateshead.gov.uk is the contact. I had to provide PL insurance evidence, my license and a risk assessment. She was very helpful.

I’ve already been. Didn’t get permission as was unaware. No issues flying mind.

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Hi @Biggles1 and welcome to Grey Arrows :+1:t2:

This makes me think you’re talking about a commercial operation type flight, rather than a recreational hobbyist flight? :thinking:

Another thread the other day suggest only needed for commercial …

https://greyarro.ws/t/angel-of-the-north-8-1-20/12205/10?u=ozonevibe

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No, pure hobby so they waived the filming fee.

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They did? That was generous of them :rofl:

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Private land owned by the council presumably. There’s very little truly public land anywhere.

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Yes, you must have land owners permission and I assume the land here is owned by the council. The other option is to get permission from a nearby private land owner and fly from their property.

I’ve flown here too :grin:

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I’ve flown here too :grin:

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I want to fly here, does anyone have tips or advice on where to park or take off from?

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Hi Darwinsdad, heading north on A1, turn of about 500yrds before the Angel onto A167(Durham rd). Car Park right next to the Angel. Toal field behind Angel.
Parking : WTW ///frostbite.able.weeks
Toal : ///lunged.register.defectors

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Ta very much :+1:

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I want to fly here, does anyone have any tips or advice they can share?

No tips for the actual location, but having worked up that way a few year as ago:

  1. Don’t wear black black and white stripes, some locals will think your a Newcastle fan and treat you accordingly
  2. Don’t wear red and white stripes, most locals will think your a Sunderland fan and treat you accordingly

:grinning::grinning:

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