It should be called the ’ Embellishmentvana "
Personally I want all round visible flashing light on my drone at all times for night flight.
But I want it to be optional for those who need zero flashing during filming - it doesn’t bother me for what I do.
I am glad they have seemingly taken a pragmatic approach - but…
I would rather the CAA took a different pragmatic approach of “we would rather you were visible so we will allow a 10g leeway/addendum to legacy C0 rated UAV to allow for specifically (and only) an external strobe to be added to aid safe flight.”
This would make so much sense to me especially given that 10g is nothing compared to the extra 650g now allowed in the same class anyway.
With the (something approaching) harmonisation between UK and EU ‘drone codes,’ as a consequence of the CAA recognising EASA C markings, one may be asking,
“So what’s the difference between C0 & C1? Why have two classes when they can both fly in A1 airspace? Why are C0 drones restricted in altitude, and C1 drones not (to the same degree, at least)?”
Well, there is a difference, at least as far as EASA is concerned. C0 drones can be flown as they are here, but with the acknowledgment that whilst you can fly directly over people, you should probably avoid doing so if you can help it. Under EASA rules however, C1 drones must not be flown over people, and if you find someone is likely to be underneath, you must take immediate action to remedy the situation.
Thus it’s not simply a case of, having now allowed aircraft 650g heavier to fly in the A1 category, one should be permitted to attach additional strobes to their C0 drone. Remember, too, that the CAA lost any ability to advocate changes to the specifications of the C0 and C1 categories after Brexit, so it wouldn’t be possible for them to say, “Ah, yes, OK, fit a strobe; you’re only increasing the weight by a few grams.” They may be able to say that for UK0 drones, when they appear, but I suspect the problem will have been engineered out by then.
Wow. Another huge dialogue of disagreement and conjecture. The fact of it all is that this would only ever be clarified in a test case. Someone would need to be prosecuted for not displaying this mandatory flashing light and the results thereof would then be the benchmark for any similar prosecutions going forward.
I am sure that time may come if someone acts the fool and ends up getting caught misbehaving with their drone but as will all drone infractions it will be a worst case scenario for action to be taken, not just some hobbyist flying otherwise legally who for whatever reason has no illumination in hours of darkness.
And one thing is for certain, nobody is being prosecuted for flying a lawful and light emitting drone in the hours of darkness, then pressing record for 30 seconds and taking a short video causing a temporary cessation of said light.
You volunteering. ![]()
![]()
This likely to be a case where plod has got it wrong rather than the pilot.
You only had 2 tea breaks then? ![]()
Accept, Jen, under EASA Regs, a green flashing light is superfluous as you can’t fly at night at all without jumping through hoops and getting specific authorisation from the respective AA.
So once again the CAA regs seem less stringent. ![]()
Agreed! And I’m quite happy with how the CAA are managing our airspace. It was more a comment that since they were recognising EASA C class markings now, their hands are a bit tied regarding what those markings mean. I remain hopeful that we’ll be able to have C1 aircraft recognised as UK1 by 31/12/27… …or that the weatherproofed Air 4 is released, with a 4/3rds sensor and a variable aperture optical 24-80+ zoom! ![]()
Now I’d like to see a twin lens with variable aperture on each of say 24 - 70 & 70 - 200 , f2.8 on a sub 900gm drone, that would be something (my favourite DSLR lens combo ).
That’s two of the photographers holy trinity of lenses.
Might as well add the 16 - 35 f2.8 as well ![]()
50mm F1.8
Or maybe a 10 - 20 (I have 11 - 16). So that’s a 3 lens unit, fine optics, sub 900 gm.![]()
Have but rarely use. Though would like the Nikkor 1.2 Nokt. But that would be as a collector of Nikkor lenses.
Old school prime boy me
I have the primes, favourite being 85 1.8 (couldn’t afford the 1.4) and when younger my 135 was my most used lens for both portraiture and landscape but was nicked along with all my photography kit whilst temporary manager of the Rockingham Arms in Corby.. But love the convenience of the pro quality zooms.
Before taking up FPV, I had the Sigma 16 - 35, 24 - 70 & 70 - 200 (all f2.8) plus Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro and a couple of Sigma f2.8 prime lens.
Along with a Nikon D500 DSLR
Im using a 100w green light bulb on a long extention plugged into the mains.
Sounds like you’re adhering to the regulations regarding tethering then that stipulates the tether shall have a tensile length of less than 50 meters and a mechanical strength that is no less than 10 times the weight of the aerodyne at maximum mass. Well done ![]()
Has this been confirmed by the CAA or is it still that bloke of youtube saying he heard it down the pub or something ![]()
