I think what upsets the general public most about drones is noise. If they didn’t hear them, most of time, they wouldn’t know they were in the air. Apparently the Mavic Mini is the quietest DJI drone available but compared to my Hubsan H501S-S it’s bloody noisy. I still fly my (albeit inferior) Hubsan because it’s less audibly offensive. I appreciate that by their very nature, spinning blades will make a noise but why do some drones make more noise than others? In the motorcycle trail riding world there’s an expression ‘Less sound, more ground’. In the drone world one can replace ground with ‘air’.
The general public hate drones because they believe everything they hear in the media about them, the noise just alerts them to the drones presents. And most of the time because the drone pilot isn’t doing anything wrong the only thing that they can think of to complain about is the noise.
I was flying last night and while I was flying 2 guys walking dogs walked past and I over heard one of them say oh look a drone turned to his mate and shouted have you still got your air rifle in the car?
I just ignored it. But if they had of preceded to shoot at my drone I would of just called the police. As for one I wasn’t doing anything wrong I was flying within the drone code and I’m all registered and displaying the correct op ID on my drone.
General consensus just fly within the code and ignore and don’t worry about the haters.
It’s for this reason I use my Parrot Anafi’s and my PowerEgg X the most. The PowerEgg X is surprisingly quiet for a drone of its size.
Nidge.
The CAA would have also taken a very dim view as a drone has the same protections as a full-size aircraft and its an imprisonable offence to interfere with the operator and the flight.
Nidge.
With the original Mavic Air 1, I was very conscious about flying it. Someone described it as an angry wasps nest. The noise it made, made me feel uneasy of how annoying it was.
I guess having a much quieter drone, makes people less wary of it.
For me, the noise was a big thing, and more when attracted all sorts of Karens.
Changed the thread title to be a little more informative to others scanning the forum feed.
I agree that the noise does seem to draw attention. I tend to fly mostly in open countryside, but have still had passing walkers comment that “other people” were complaining, most likely alerted by the noise. I’ve also started taking someone with me when possible, not just as a “spotter” whilst I build my confidence in flying, but also after I had a slightly suspect youth hanging around nearby on a recent visit to Black Rocks in Derbyshire. I quickly packed up and left, as I was on my own that day.
I agree. Been concentrated on the drone, does not leave you a lot of room to check if anyone is around you.
I like the thought of someone coming out with me, but most of the times means my wife and kids been bored stiff, so I tend to fly solo or do short flights.
Yeah I had the missus with me last night and she was bored and frozen just standing in a wet muddy field lol
If when flying and I have someone approach me who I think is suspicious And they start talking to me I always tell them that my drone is WiFi connected to my home computer and that I will delete their photograph when I get home , have had no problems with anyone wanting my equipment since I started saying that.
I’ve just come back from a little flight, playing really. Filming in sports mode as near as the ground as I dared, (NOT THAT CLOSE!).
Flicking back and forward, left and right landing it myself on the table…all simple stuff but good fun and it gets me used to the drone.
Had a few dog walkers watch and one old boy sat down and asked what we were watching. I landed it on the table and he remarked that he had been watching but had no idea what we were doing.
Working for the council looking at the options for 500 affordable and social housing units here, usually gets their feathers rustled
Must remember that one. Although once I brought it in and he could see it he was interested, not annoyed.
I was quite supprised at how quiet the Air 2 is, took it out at the weekend and could not hear it at 50m away so if I stay 50m away from people, like we should. Then they should not be bothered by the sound
P.S. in Sports Mode, it was a bit louder LOL
Should’ve let her fly it!
I offered lol
That sounds like love to me, pal. If she puts up with that, I would certify her as a keeper.
I do feel when I go with mine and the kids and they patiently wait.
To be fair, when I first bought the drone, was supposed to be a family toy. Boy played 3 times with it. Girl one. Wife, I think 5 minutes.
So it is up to me to “dust it” from time to time.
Such a shame, as I though that we would of used it more as a family.
Still, before Covid, we did travel a fair bit and that is the perfect compliment. Hopefully will be able to travel soon and use it in different places.
Indeed. Couldn’t agree more. Still, there are always Karens around that have nothing to do but complain and make themselves heard about their rights.
Well will have to wait and see what happens when someone decides to have a chat with me I have been told I can look strait through people lol, dose work well when on my Motorbike and a car driver trys very very hard to kill me by pulling out in front of me lol.
Would like to add, I am a nice person very freindly and def not insane…well as long as you dont ask my work mates lol