Hi @lewiswaite23 and welcome to Grey Arrows!
Glad you could join us mate
Sensitive areas - schools, cemetries etc shown in yellow - dronesafetymap.com
I went all legit and now have permission from the Langstone Harbour master for flights from their yard over the Mulberry. Was at the Hayling anti-aircraft site the other week with Mike T (another local) and practice around Sparkes Marina, Hayling Island Sailing Club and Eastoke Point. Around the bridges is good too.
Do you have any other locations around Portsmouth or surrounding areas you like to fly? I know new forest is off limits as well looking for new places once this wet spell moves away
That’s a really good idea much better to me legit, Ive I’m available one time you guys head out again maybe I could tag along or something.
This is the safetymap of the Hants/Dorset area. I wasn’t aware of a blanket restriction on the whole New Forest. I have a passing interest in WW2 structures and there are 12 old airfields in the Forest plus a bombing range where they tested the Grand Slam BFO bombs that needed a stripped out Lancaster to carry one of them.
Don’t run away with the idea I’m some grizzled old flyer with years of wisdom behind me. I’m a grizzled old newbie with a great deal still to learn.
As for weather - it’s the equinox. Traditional gales but, looking at the forecast for the next two weeks the winds will be dropping from time to time. To let it rain …
The new forest actually don’t allow drone flying due to some old by laws they have a section on their website about it, mentioning about the potential of risk to wildlife and people in the forest which is a shame because it’s a nice place with vast open areas. I think you can maybe contact them and ask for permission to fly but I’m unsure if they’ll say yes maybe if you can prove insurance/liability cover they may let you.
No chance - unless it’s official film/TV stuff.
You can take off from private property and overfly, of course … I’ve used pub beer gardens when they are quiet.
Also, the NFNPA don’t own the roads. So - quiet roads on a quiet day with good views to check for approaching traffic …
Forestry England (was Forestry Commission) owns a fair proportion of it - see http://map.whoownsengland.org/
They effectively say no - unless you are a PfCO pilot so that FE can charge you money. As for protecting the wildlife - FE hold music festivals on their land. No mention of wildlife being bothered by a rock band, thousands of people and their litter.
@OzoneVibe is quite right about overflying (at a sensible height) being perfectly legal. But, while flying, your concentration may be tested by some jobsworth screaming at you to cease and desist.
Not once in many many flights. Just don’t try flying in the middle of a crowd of people. Simple! There are roads where almost nobody goes.
In fact - not once in 5 years - anywhere.
I’ve never thought about working around it like you mentioned, I’ve always stayed well clear of the forest,
So like you’ve said if you’ve taken off from say private land or a quiet road your legally flying?
I’ve never tested the legality of the road take-off … but they are owned by New Forest Council / Highways Dept … not NFNPA.
If you are on a quiet enough road to do so safely, chances are you are also miles away from anyone that gives a damn.
Interesting, I’ll keep that in mind next time I’m in the area, like you said about crowds, I always try and stay as far away as possible from crowds where ever I go.
Covert droning!
And it’s your right to tell him to “go away” ,until you have safely landed your drone!.
He/She is breaking the law by distracting you while flying.
Then you can talk to the person safely without being distracted.
Why would i change to twix
Welcome to the group
Last time i landed,after someone gave me crap for flying,they then walked over to my just landed drone,and threatened to destroy it !!! (that changed when i also walked over ,to my landed drone…some people err !!!