Seen and thanks!
Legally, you have the right to walk, stop, take photos, even have a picnic on a public right of way (PROW) so long as you are not causing an obstruction or breaking any other laws. The drone code still applies. It needs to be a proper legal PROW however, and you can check with your local council first if uncertain of its status. www.rowmaps.com may also assist.
You can be pretty confident that the National Trust will not understand any of that, however. If an NT representative (or anyone else) approaches you while flying your drone, you may have difficulty landing safely, as they are under no obligation to move 30m clear of you.
My advice would therefore be to be discreet about timing. Use of the legal argument may not get you anywhere in reality.
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Just as i thought, always nice to get a second opinion. Many thanks
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This seems important. Does this mean anyone can legally prevent a drone from landing? Potentially causing a crash? Or worse?
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Interfering with the flight of an aircraft is an offence. And an aircraft “in an emergency” (flat battery) can land wherever the pilot considers is the best option.
But, the poor pilot that landed that plane in the Hudson River (and saved everyone!) was treated like a criminal (for a really long time) by the FIA because he took that option rather than following ATC instructions. You can’t win, huh?
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I remember that.
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I’d try this, if someone came up to me and stood within 30 meters while I’m in the air, I’d warn them that they are in my legal control and are subject to the relevant drone code whether they like it or not.
Their lack of knowledge of the ANO has no legal standing in a court of law, therefore by verbally warning them you make them aware of their legal obligation to follow your instructions.
I think of the 30 meter as the pilot in command’s bubble of authority, so I will land my drone whether they like it or not after declaring “landing”
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The film Sully about that is really good, Tom Hanks is brilliant in it. It shows how he was treated.
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On another note. Canal and River trust. You need written permission to take off from their land. Found out today at Foxton Locks.
Got round it (just) drove to the Other side of a field put the zoom up and flew over to the locks. Got the shot and here’s the nerve wracking bit. I had to tack back as the wind too strong. But I got the shot for the birthday challenge.
Back home underwear changed.
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Maybe the CAA should include that in their pre flight check list for all you pfco’s. An extra pair of Y fronts.
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Hi everyone…hope this is in the right place !!!
I do alot of paranormal investigations (please dont say ghost hunt ! never hunted one in myn life lol)
I ama regular at Waverley abbey and being English heratige trust I looked on the site and found information to the fact thatthey prohibit drones being used and only allowed to use with permission and then they will treat it as commersial and make a charge !
They then procceed to state that after permision and fee paid I guess to state the regular CAA guidlines all this after permission.
My question is…if I do not get permission (as long as its not a no fly zone) and do fly within the CAA guidlines am I breaking any laws ? not rules but actual law.
Many thanks in advance, if I am slow to reply its because I am on my motorbike and not being rude !
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I’ve moved your post to this thread where the subject, in conjunction with NT since the same applies to both, has been discussed before. Chances are the above discussion will answer your question … or leave you more confused. 
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Not if you don’t take off and land on their property. If you do take off from their land then any legal action would be civil.
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The law is different between the National Trust and English Heritage.
For any private landowner, if you cause a nuisance you may be guilty of a nuisance trespass (a civil matter), and if you fly too low it may be a physical trespass. If you take off/land from their property without permission, you can also be declared a trespasser. In all these cases, their main recourse is to eject you from the land.
For NT, there are bye-laws in place which criminalise causing disturbance, interruption or annoyance to anyone who is on the NT property. They also criminalise taking photographs for commercial use while on their property.
So far as I can tell, there are no equivalent bye-laws for EH, but they do state a policy forbidding flying drones above their property without permission. My understanding is that you can fly over their land without permission (subject to not causing nuisance), but that you would be trespassing if you take-off/land on their property.
National Trust for Scotland and Historic Environment Scotland are much more relaxed.
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well according to that it’s only a £20 fine. i’d be happy to pay that to get some decent shots.
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Yes, I’ve tried to find out if that’s been superseded by the UK standard scale of penalties in the Criminal Justice Act (minimum fine on that scale is £200), but that’s a bit beyond my minimal legal abilities!
I did look into these byelaws and yes £20 for a “motorised” one.
Hayling island seafront is another area I am interested in doing as well.
I ask really for 2 reasons 1st is I would like to do these places and 2nd (without entering into polotics) is due to companys such as EH and NT making bylaws on what really is our countryside.
As far as Civil gos then its a different matter…same as slander “if” being the word a case is made up then the person citeing the case has to pay and put before the board as to make a decision weather to take it further and its 50/50 if they do, if they say no further action then its a case of loseing the fee for the person raiseing the action…not really worth it.
Main question is are we harming anyone ? then no which has no criminal action.
Thanks guys great responses and times…great forum.
Hi, as a newbie wanting and understanding these documents can help what ones would you advise to carry please ? many thanks.
If you are not on their property how do they prosecute?
and as stated they do not control the airspace.
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Don’t take off from it or land on it and stay 150’ above and your good.