Hi Fellow Drone Enthusiasts
I am new to Drone flying and really just need to find some places to practice. Somewhere I can make mistakes with losing my drone forever, or destroying beyond repair or being told off by some disapproving person. I’m in the South West not far from Bath. Does anyone know for any wide open spaces where I can just practise and test out all of the features of my drone?
Thanks in Advance
Stuart
Hi @Fresh and welcome to Grey Arrows 
Have you seen our members map? (Click the burger-menu in the top right) You may find some pilots living near you. Feel free to add yourself to the members map too 
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.
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Welcome once again!
Hi @Fresh and welcome to GADC 
@Fresh hi welcome to the club
I have just started as well.
https://dronescene.co.uk/ is good for places.
But mostly I found local parks with taking off by footpath work really well. Not had a grumble from poeple yet, more poeple excited by the drone.
Many people don’t notice, also off peak my local parks are quite empty.
Hi Stuart - welcome to GADC
Welcome to GADC Stuart!
Plenty of places around Bath, TOAL from Widcome Hill is a good shout, lots to be seen of the city itself. I’m Warminster myself, but work in Bath
Wherever you fly always give the drone time to establish its homepoint - the take-off point - before flying it away from you.
If you do get flustered in lose sight for a moment take your hands off the sticks, the drone will stay where it is until you are ready to continue
If you really have lost sight of it hit the return to home button and it will come back to your starting point if the homepoint has been set as above
There is a lot more advice to give, a great number of YouTube videos to watch - Ian in London is a great tutor and well worth watching.
But the best way to learn is in a large area without trees and other obstacles and practice until you are confident you can handle the aircraft. It won’t take long!
Hi Fresh, I’m new too. I haven’t ventured further than my back garden yet, but can’t wait to get out there. I also don’t know how yo post on this group yet.
Welcome Stuart!
I’ve had the same issues looking for somewhere to practice manual fpv.
Have found large sports pitches to be good, as long as they are open access. Usually no one around, nice clear and open.
@Fresh welcome
Welcome Stuart to GADC 
Hi Stuart, welcome. This is the place for all the information you will need to enjoy your new hobby. Very knowledgeable people.
I’ve only been flying for a few months and I’ve found that large recreational areas are fine for learning particularly during school time when there will only be the occasional dog walker around. You only need the size of a football pitch. Assuming you are sub 250g then there are not many restrictions while you learn the ropes. I found that keeping the drone low, 50m, and learn the controls and functions of the camera was the best way to start. It’s very easy to lose sight of the drone and panic, but as others have said just leave the controls and press RTH. Yes it’s very daunting at first but I’ve now found the courage to fly over water. 
Enjoy.
Hey Stuart, welcome to the world of drone flying! It can be a little daunting at first, but with some practice, you’ll be a pro in no time.