Challenged by British Nuclear Constabulary

General Drone Discussion
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Thanks for your respect :grin: no problem asking questions, it’s how we learn.
No, you don’t need to log with the police. Legally you don’t need to log a flight with the apps either it’s just good practice especially if you’ve an air proximity or incident.
I only call 101 if I’m flying in an area where the general public may air concern of a drone flying. Say if I’m around a park with a play area or school nearby. A location where I’ve obtained private access like a quarry or demolition site & a nosy neighbour could be wary of trespass. In this case it was the sensitive BAE site in the town & thinking BNC & Cumbria police might of communicated with each other.
I fly with strobes on so always clearly visible

Hope that clarifies for you. If you think a winging Karen might moan then let the police know you’re legal & situationally aware. An log number offered to a Karen often pulls the rug from under a moan :rofl::rofl::+1:

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Don’t forget, if you haven’t already added your operator (not flyer) I.D. onto your drone too, not just in your bag. That is a requirement for drones with cameras & / or over 250g :+1:

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I tip my hat to you sir, :+1:

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Cheers. Appreciated. Tbh though I think most on here would do similar as we know what we can & can’t do.

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I forgot to add I also have a lanyard and have a printed card with my photo and flyer/operator IDs. Again it’s overkill. However I find if you’re flying in a very public place, looking official and like someone that knows what they are doing, you’re actually less likely to get people talk to you.

I once filmed a Viking re-enactment in some castle grounds, ensured I wasn’t directly over a crowded area, kept my eye on it and what was going on around me and just left it recording. Apart from people having a little nose, not one person questioned what I was doing. Including Emergency Services

Some jokes about hi-viz, but again, look the part, and no one’s likely to even think you’re up to no good. Not that you are. Of course! :wink:

Only place you may want to stay hidden is when doing a cheeky National Trust flyover! :wink:

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Clip board is the ultimate accessory to match what has become the UK’s national dress

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Wear a hard hat too and no one will ask what you’re up to. :wink:

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There are various versions of this…. Walking in with a ladder as many places as you can…. :yum:

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Thank you @MTLakes, Mark. Yes ok, good advice. I gotcha! Yep operator ID added (even to the tello) and also phone number if I lose it…again :blush:

@firstadekit, Ade, I used to have to go out filming for/with MoD so totally get the looking the part. If you concentrate on your stuff no-one ‘usually’ bothers you I found…once upon a time a long time ago!

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Just as well we don’t need to: to me the most fascinating aspect of your story is that you got someone to answer on 101! Seriously though, well done.

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Hi Mark @MTLakes , with the new rules if under 250g and not a toy even if not camera, then an Operator ID is needed: Registration requirements for drones | UK Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk). Is that how you read it too?

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Hi @jedpause,
Not sure how your seeing it but as per your link & my understanding you only need to register the sub 250s when they have a camera.

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What I did read & thought was interesting
“The class marks are currently being introduced, so your drone or model aircraft may not have been given a class when it was made.“ maybe they’re going to retro classify :man_shrugging:t2:

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I suspect lazy…

Been CNC (Civil Nuclear Constabulary) for a while now, also wasn’t BNC previously it was actually the AEAC (Atomic Energy Authority Constabulary).

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34

Wow! Sounds like a chap who needs reining in.

Where was it exactly as they only have police powers 5 km from the boundary of a site unless deployed under Operation Temperer.

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Near the canoe club, Cavendish dock road & over the docks going towards the estuary in a SW direction away from BAE & the Airport restrictions.

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I think I referred to them as the ‘BNP’ at one point in the conversation :rofl::rofl::rofl:

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They have said all along not, have a search its been done to death and back ;o)

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Yes indeed he must have felt a nutty especially in front of his colleague good on you for putting him right👍

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39

There’s always one isn’t there!!
The Civil Nuclear Constabulary as they are now called only have powers within the site of operations ie in this case Sellafield, unless they are on escort duty.
Their role is to protect the property not try and enforce laws beyond their area of concern.
Naturally, if you were flying over Sellafield they could question you, but they should really (like all Cops) understand the legislation before going off on one!
I’m sure you just want to let it pass, but you could make a complaint to CNC even if only to ask them to control their numptys and understand the law!!

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The site plus a 5k boundary around it.

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