Yes, I’ve checked others’ Q&A, but for obvious reasons this is a highly sensitive request thanks to current military events.
I lived in the town of Fairford for 33 years, much of which time I was based at nearby RAF Brize Norton. As a now retired RAF and airline pilot I know the rules. The issue I have is that my daughter is getting married in the town in May and I would like to do a very short and close drone flight to capture some photos and video of the wedding party, a perspective that is otherwise impossible to achieve. I have written to all the obvious addresses, both at Fairford and at Brize, but the only replies I have had were from the very helpful MOD Police, who pointed me at other addresses to try as they were unable to grant permission. I gave a very detailed proposed flightplan. I have heard nothing back.
Clearly, this is a very sensitive area and the last thing they want is random drones flying well within their protected zone. But life goes on. We have endured the daily racket of US aircraft as well as our own without complaint. While they are undoubtedly very busy it would be a kind gesture to allow me a 10 minute flight that stays within 100 metres horizontally and 100 feet vertically of a departure location close to the centre of the town and we’ll clear off the airfield itself.
Does anyone have any advice or a good contact to ask? I have tried without success: MDP-GeneralEnquiries-GMB@mod.gov.uk MDP-ForceControl-GMB@mod.gov.uk
420ABS.OS.AO@us.af.mil BZN-AirfieldOperations@mod.gov.uk
michael.cole.2@us.af.mil
The last thing I want to do is cause trouble, but by the same token I think this is a reasonable request for a sound reason. Any help gratefully received.
Chris
I’d say that you’re very unlikely to bother any air traffic or the Tower, Chris. With your background you’ll be aware of the approach lanes and US radar is not going to pick up a little plastic object at less than 100ft agl outside them. My experience of US ATC. In this country is not flattering, and I had a bad experience with Jacksonville Centre years ago when on exchange at MacDill AFB (F16s).
Agree with Chris about the tower. On a much smaller scale I live close to Wycombe Airpark and wanted to fly my drone to check roof repairs. I followed all the details on their website, email with one weeks notice, detailed flight plan, mitigation of trees higher than my proposed flight etc. No response at all. When I rang the tower they said ok, I then rang them just before the flight, and just after and all ok. Best of luck. Alan.
A good shout but that area is very active in a military sense at the moment as we all know. I’d want permission in written/email format before I’d decide to start flying around that location. Bearing in the mind the town itself is also inside the restriction zone.
And reference ‘…radar is not going to pick up a little plastic object…’, agreed, but a friend in the town had a blue lights visit after doing a short drone roof inspection flight. He hadn’t tried to notify them but his theory was that they could triangulate the drone communication frequency. No idea if that could be true, but there seemed few other plausible explanations as to how the angry men in Humvees knew what he had been doing.
I used to fly from Brize myself, enroute to Washington, several times over the years as a teenager from school. Compared to commercial, I always thought the rear facing seats were a much safer arrangement. My Mother was never impressed, though that they fly dry!
Good luck Chris. I live inside the Chalgrove FRZ, but it’s only a 10 minute walk to a friend’s flood meadows by the River Thame where he’s happy for me to fly, and I’m just outside the FRZ. I contacted Chalgrove and they were OK if I contacted them and Benson beforehand, but haven’t had a compelling reason yet. Chalgrove is a bit quieter than your neck of the woods though!
Luckily, we got to face forward up front! (apart from the flight engineer (sideways) and the navigator (backwards)). The Washington schedule was a great laugh, though the quickie version meant you lost an entire night.
Hi Chris,
I too live in Fairford and things are a little different at the minute. However, I have always had a good relationship with the base in the past. As long as you avoid the obvious places (like the runway line etc.) I have generally been given permission to fly.
The contact I use is Jenny Collyer on jennifer.collyer.2.gb@us.af.mil or 01285 714965. She is the Community Relations Adviser and will forward your request to the Airfield Manager. They have their own form for you to fill out but she will send you that.
By the way you are right about their radar! it was upgraded about 18 months ago and it can pick up a drone at very low altitude. The next thing is the blue lights! It has happened to me and I thought I was outside their restriction but they had recently extended the no fly zone. All very friendly though so no problem - just pointed out that I shouldn’t do it again.
They to give Jenny plenty of notice (they stipulate 7 days) and I’m sure you’ll be OK>
Hi,
On Friday I did drone flight agriculture field imagery near RAF Fairford.
I struggled to find the right contact at RAF Fairford.
In the end I found that it is michael.cole.2@us.af.mil is the one to send your Drone Flight notification email to.
He got back to me confirming I could flight, and he is who I am contact going forward.
I send it a different person and she directed back to him as well.
I would recommend other people to do the same if you want to fly near RAF Fairford.
Hope that is helpful.
(apart from the flight engineer (sideways) and the navigator (backwards)). The Washington schedule was a great laugh, though the quickie version meant you lost an entire night. 
