Hey all - off to the Isle of Wight tomorrow and wondered if anyone has flown the needles? Just trying to work out if it’s National Trust or does the crown foreshore bit over right that?
Cheers
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@OzoneVibe might know 
That’s the only bit of crown estate that’s close to the needles all the rest is national trust land complete with a national trust NFZ.
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The Crown Foreshore is at the bottom of a large cliff … and I’d not go there at low tide.
Alum Bay is the closest … if you fancy a bit of over-water flying.
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Ever since this video post, back in '17 when regs were (almost) non existent …
The lighthouse has a helipad on it … and wondered if landing on it, and taking off again, is possible … if you keep the motors spinning … it being made from lots of steel.
Let me know if you decide to try this. 
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Arrived in Cowes today. Might have a fly about while I’m here.
Would love to try that one with my MP2 via Litchi Waypoints, looks a fairly straightforward one across the water 7 miles total distance, 17 min flight time.
Been to the needles a few times and would love to fly there, the only thing is would say is you’d have to get lucky with the weather, last time I went it was so windy it almost blew me away. I’m sure it’s possible I remember a thread on here a while back where someone took off from some distance away and flew it over but I’d be worried about the turbulent wind, those cliffs create some massive updrafts.
Let us know if you try 
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I wouldn’t mind flying from Hurst Castle over the Solent to the IOW and back. Less than a mile each way!
I have seen Drones at Hurst Castle last Year.
You’d have to have the perfect wind conditions for that journey. I’m often at Hurst Spit but not with my drone and it can get very blustery even on a good day.
Done that crossing, to Fort Albert, a couple of times. Also Lepe to Gurnard on the IoW three times.
That’s on my list of to do’s 
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THEORETICALLY … Hurst Castle to Needles Lighthouse, and back (
) is possible with my MP. But it’s getting nearer the limit … so a very gentle SW’ly would be good to have a that assistance on the way back.
One day.
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That’s the problem, the infamous SW’ly is not always the kindest… Would make for a great video.
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The last time I flew to Fort Albert it was a gently 1 or 2 mph direct from the lighthouse. I was very tempted - but chickened out since the only battery I had left was the one that has a slightly lower max-flight time.
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I certainly wouldn’t try it. 
… I had a squeaky bum moment a few months ago crossing the widest point of Southampton Water and on the return leg the wind suddenly changed direction and i was head on with just over a mile to go and the battery at 22% 
I managed 2 crossings to Gurnard, and back, on one battery.
Not flying a Mini 2 though? 
Could have been - I wasn’t flying fast by any means.
According to the map measuring tool, it looks to be less than a mile each way. Apparently there is a swimming event every year due to the Islands proximity to the mainland.
I appreciate there would be unpredictable winds etc…I might try it one day when I build up more experience.
(When I say a mile that is to the nearest point on the Island not the Needles).