Complete Drone newbie here, I’ve just got a ‘DJI Mini Pro’ but now I have it I have suddenly become worried about actually taking it out to fly. My original thinking was to just take it to some local fields and give it a spin but the more I read the more it seems there are very few places where you are actually allowed to fly.
I have an Operator and Flyer id and the drone is labeled up and ready to go.
The initial aim is just to learn to fly, the video / photography side can come later.
I live just outside of Nottingham so any advice on where to take that first flight or general advice would be greatly appreciated.
Have you seen our members map? (Click the burger-menu in the top right) You may find some pilots living near you.
We’re a well established club with many knowledgeable members so it’s very likely that any issues you come across will have been discussed here before. Our discussion forum has very powerful search features which should help you find what you need but if you get stuck you can post a new question in the #questions-and-answers category.
Looking for recommendations of places to fly? Check out our interactive map on Drone Scene - be sure to log in to gain access to the full suite of features and map layers:
And please feel free to add locations of your own too.
Please also take a moment to look at the Membership Levels section on our FAQ as we’re quite different to other clubs and you’ll be eligible for some rather exclusive club discounts as your membership level increases
Don’t let the rules overwhelm you - easy to say I know but we all had to start somewhere.
Find yourself a nice quiet spot with nobody about if possible. Steer well away from trees - they are a drones worst enemy and will do everything to reach out and grab your drone
Get the drone in the air, facing away from you to start with and try some very gentle movements on the sticks and see how the drone reacts. Try a landing and repeat.
This video is quite a good watch to understand the basics …
If you don’t have a landing pad — you can always use a floor mat from the car
Welcome - and have fun…
Best thing I did when learning to fly drones (after a couple of crashes through just ‘having a go’) was to join a local model flying club - the Cumbernauld Model Flying Club (it’s a bit far away from you but it’s great!). The club has an airfield (a safe place to fly) and members who were an invaluable source of advice and support as I got going. Some clubs can be a bit sniffy about drones so check first what they think.
Your membership subscription might well include a membership of BMFA, aka ‘insurance’ in case you do some damage.
Having said all that the mini (3?) pro is sub 250g so can be flown virtually anywhere in Open subcategory 1 as long as you have read the instruction manual - not advised though, you do need to acquire a bit of skill even with the wee chaps.
Hi, I am also Nottm, and as it happens Gedling. GBC have bylaws sadly I understand so Gedling Country Park is off limits (I even saw a sign last year pop up at the entrance to it…). Feel free to say hi.
Hi stridingsandal, there are a few model aircraft clubs not too far away from me. I took a look at a few websites and not a photo or a mention of drones .
As you say probably best to ring around and get a feel for each clubs acceptance of drones.
