What exactly would they be challenging?
Correct me if I’m wrong but I’m sure police drones are now classed as state aircraft.
I’ld be curious if the constabulary use drones with the Airsense ADS-B out system.
I doubt it but still
I don’t know, I’m not savvy with the law, however if Hampshire emergency services just keep renewing the zone and there is little use to it, perhaps there is a challenge, I don’t know, do you?
It just smacks of a process without a reason, unless they have a real need.
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I think you’ll find it’s not the emergency services specifically requesting a TDA. Think about it logically here… The police want to conduct BLVOS ops for whatever reason. They are not going to be giving the CAA the ins and outs, times, dates etc for obvious Op Sec reasons. So the CAA could be the ones themselves throwing up these oversized TDA’s.
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Did you…
Did you.. just use the word logical when discussing officialdom?!? ;p
I was asking @Steco1958 to think about it logically, is he officialdom? 
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Pfft humbug ;p
From the Northern, ‘officially dumb’
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When you’re right you’re right ;p
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The TDA is essentially a no fly zone where police will fly bvlos (blind toal from boxes on roofs), flying drones not above 400ft (agl), and the protected airspace goes from ground up to 900ft amsl making sure GA remains above that level. Sensible separation.
We know that already 
Not everybody reads NOTAMS or understands the reasoning - consider our starter friends…
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I live in Coventry and I’m just in the outskirts of the boundary. Was thinking of places to go on Coventry such as the Cathedral but guessing this is not possible
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I live in Coventry, and I have seen a few people flying drones in the city centre, well a small Mavic and of course the weather has been bad, also the police plane flying around Longford, Woodend, potters green north of Coventry, and of course the police helicopter almost every day. what fun to live in Coventry, NOT.
There’s nothing stopping you applying to fly 
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Here is the relevant part of the email I got from West Midlands Police drone operations, my emphasis added:
“Whilst the airspace restriction has been implemented by the CAA due to beyond visual line of sight drone activity, this restriction was not requested by West Midlands Police, therefore we do not manage it or operators who wish to fly within it. Should drone operators want to operate within the restriction they can apply to the CAA detailing their intended flights. It is then down to the CAA to decide whether to grant authorisation to operate during the proposed times/ dates.
“The permanency of this airspace restriction is still being determined and is based on a number of factors being discussed by Police and the regulator. An outcome will be determined in due course but what that timescale may look like I can’t say at present whilst work is on-going.
“From my perspective the CAA have been accommodating to drone operators wishing to fly, with the caveat that they are reminded of their obligations under air law and visual line of sight requirements.”
All very professional, and reasonable, but prompting significant questions for the long term around the prioritizaton and management of drone activities and interests: emergency services, surveying, construction, delivery, recreational, personal.
Stephen
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Your point is well taken, but the current situation is very different from the world of drone fun you see on YouTube. When I brought my first drone last year I had visions of filming many of favourite places in my home town and sharing them with friends around the world, but as and when I got a chance, NOT on a schedule.
For me, the whole idea of something like a DJI Neo is opportunistic filming, like street photography which I also pursue. A large part of the appeal comes from the fact that I currently take care of my 96 yo mum and my disabled wife, so my spare time is unpredictable. For example, a few weeks after I got my drone, I was driving home to check on my wife after dropping off my mum at the hairdresser and the sun came out as I was crossing Hearsall Common, a delightful and historic spot in Coventry. I parked up and launched the drone for some quick panoramas. Only later did find I had violated a NOTAM. That definitely undermined my personal vision of “drone photography as a hobby to pursue as a spontaneous activity when time permits.”
On the other hand, if I just carry on as planned, and knowingly violate the NOTAM, I will have flashbacks to the 60s when we knowingly trespassed on railway property to spot the last of the steam locos.
Stephen
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It’s possible, if you can pick a time and day in advance, ask and receive permission, and accept whatever the weather is on that day. S
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@PingSpike … Remember me having a PM with you a few months ago about this related specifically to parts of London.
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