The only problem I have is the cost of getting around the area looking at potential sites. Instead I spend quite some time “flying” over Google Earth looking for places with the following criteria:
Reasonable access
Space
Not too crowded with public
Adequate parking
At least moderately interesting
and possibly
Dog friendly
Good for beginners / camera drones / FPV pilots
Toilets
Refreshments
Shade
Seating
But I can’t afford to go zooming round Hampshire, Berkshire, Sussex and Kent checking out potential places for a meet. That’s where people can help, either by doing the (minimal) work required to set up a meet or passing me the details and I’ll do it.
I’d be interested in the Hampshire meet ups. Unfortunately where I live is completely surrounded in red no fly zones so I can’t recommend anything here I’m afraid…
I would have been there, but I’m committed to childcare duties for my grandchildren. Two of my daughters, who run a preschool in Sevenoaks, are organising a charity fun-day event to support a little 2-year-old in their school who has Sanfilippo Syndrome, a life-limiting condition , with a life expectancy of 15 years.
Free car park after 7PM (I think… or maybe 6PM - I can check it interest rises) at Gilkicker Car Park.
No traffic at that time. After 5.30ish the traffic is gone - I know that’s something that concerns some of you. Just head down to Lee On The Solent way and then down to Stokes Bay, if you’re coming from Fareham side.
Perfect for sunset shots over the Solent and the Isle of Wight.
Fort Gilkicker nearby (currently under refurbishment, though)
Huge sea front.
Grass.
Tables.
Toilets.
Refreshments - yes, but 500metres away and possibly closed at that time
It’s outside of the infamous Solent Airport pay to fly zone and well enough away from Fort Monckton to allay any MoD worriesif we stay to the west of the centreline of Gilkicker Lagoon. It would be good manners to advise MoD that we are a responsible bunch of flyers though.
I’m no FPV flyer but I can see Gilkicker fort having a nice bando potential - except that the security fencing will make retrieving a downed aircraft difficult.
There’s the disused Dive Test facility to the North West which the MoD might allow us to fly over / near / around if we ask very nicely.
The car park itself is also home to Gosport and Fareham Inshore Rescue Service. (I did my RYA Powerboat 2 with them many years ago). It could be good to ask them when they conduct exercises and do they want lots of footage of the boats in action.
I don’t see the MI6 letting us fly over their premisses… But otherwise, I fly there all the time - from Gilkicker til the cafe, with no problems at all. There is plenty of room and fun things to video and take pictures of.
I let you organise it. People don’t know me and, despite the fact that I’m here for a loooong time, I didn’t used to come here much, so I’m still discovering the forum
I can help though. I’m there all the time. In fact I will be there this afternoon. If you need anything, just shout
Anyway, before 4pm there’s still a lot of traffic coming to Gosport. Later I think it’s better.
Not a great flying location IMHO since the building works butchered most of its original characteristics. I flew there a number of times before the fort was sold, I went back to check it out and haven’t returned since.
Fort Gilkicker isn’t the main attraction here although those prepared to walk 700m from the car park can get up close and personal. It’s no great shakes for pictures but looks possible for FPV as long as you don’t crash behind the security fence.
Next to the car park is a large open area of grass. Boring but ideal for begineers and practice.
Parking is limited and there is confusion regarding anti-drone signage and the acceptable distance to approach the active main railway line. But many people have flown there. It’s too far for me to travel but please arrange your own meet there - once you start the process you’ll be astonished how easy it is!
There is a long layby on the parallel road which would also provide TOAL for sub 250 gram aircraft - at the edge of a busy road. No decent parking / TOAL that I can see anywhere close
There is parking up the road. Park and Ride Winchester South - 1/2 mile (I used to park there to go to uni) - but yes, there is some parking next to it - that layby you said. People park there for walks in the woods. There are some short forest trails that lead to the Viaduct and the woods.
We just need to be aware of the SSSI area, which is on both sides of it. Should be ok, I guess.
Ah, a local expert. Do you fancy arrnaging a meet here, Dave?
There are SSSIs and then there are SSSIs!
Clicking on the area in Drone Scene bringsa up a banner post, clicking on “Find out more about this Site of Special Scientific Interest” takes you to the Natural England entry for that site. A bit of poking around and you can find out what the protection is for. If it is the Great Bearded Throat Warbler (Pavarotti Giganticus) and it’s the breeding season then care should be taken.
From what I can see of the 21 species concerned they are all either plants or fish except for otters, none of which should be botherewd by drones. But you are right to express concern!
