This is exactly what I’m going to put in the CAA RID request for feedback thing… Not all manned aircraft required to use these systems. Surely before requiring hobbyists to shove a transmitting thing on our crafts, all manned aircraft should be required to do it first.
OK military if slightly different, esp. if need to be covert, but civilian aircraft aren’t required to either. Madness tbh madness.
And how is that going to work when areas are used with little or no notice, based on weather conditions and training requirements with no system at all for communicating that with the ground ?
ADSB, Radar, none of that will work in a valley - thats kind of the whole point of low flying. They DO squawk and announce it on the radio already. Nothing else they can do.
There is a problem in that most aircraft likely to conflict with drones (ie GA, low altitude, military, SAR) are mostly the types that don’t bother broadcasting ADSB.
In theory its mandatory now in the US and Canada (but with some many exemptions its not that useful) but in EASA and the UK its not on the horizon yet alone implemented.
Most of these aircraft ARE ADSB-Out equipped but a deliberate choice is made to not use it for the majority of flights.
It should work both ways - i can understand the need for UAS to be seen but the flip side is theres also a need for manned aircraft to be “seen” by the operator as well.
There’s a simple answer to all of this, don’t fly when the fast movers are around. This is normally between 10am and 7pm, Monday to Friday. They don’t train on the weekends, so fly your drone then, the hills are still there, so is the view and any building you want to film/photograph.
Common sense is all it needs people!
I think the original point of the post is that there’s no clear notification there ARE fast movers around.
If you’re not from the area, on holiday, fancy a drone flight around Ogwen or whatever, even if you exercise due diligence, check drone assist, NOTAMs etc theres nothing to tell you theres a high chance of fast movers.
The first indication you might get is when an F15 whizzes past at 450kts under your drone.
There is an argument for adding it as the yellow “area of increased risk” on Drone Assist etc with an explanation - they already do this for parachute and gliding sites etc.
Common sense kicks in if you know the area or hear a fast mover but might not be applicable to a tourist with zero interest in aviation on holiday in half term with their kids etc.
That indeed is the point I was trying to make, thanks. I understand the difficulties of different systems at play in terms of marking out areas of risk, but here is an area of risk in a holiday area and there’s nothing. (Mind you, the first Monday of any holiday will soon disabuse you of any notions of peace and quiet in the Dyfi valley!)
I did fly chesterfield bando once and 2 jet fighters came.iver well under the legal 120m.i. allowed to fly. Fortunately I wasn’t in air and tbh at a bando I don’t really fly above roof level. But it was a reminder to check those paths too. Would have been no notice. They flew right over our heads as we setup. Was an awesome experience to see them that low right above, but scary in another way. I believe I’m sensible with my flights, but even the ones who try to fly safely there things can happen!
When I went to the Lake District last year, I took my Air 2S and Mini 2 to get some shots of the little castles there (south of Kirkby Steven). On the Monday I’d got the drones ready, but then down the valley came 2 U.S. Blackhawks, followed by 2 Apaches, followed by 2 Osprey tilt wings in line astern formation. They were that low they were below the tree level and the pilot of one of the Ospreys even waved at us. When I asked the guy who lives in the cottage next door, he said they come down the valley regularly and with no notice. It’s not only helis they get but there are regular flypasts of Typhoons, Hawks, U.S and RAF F35s and F15s with flights of Swedish Grippens and sometimes Spanish Harriers. This went on all week, so the drones stayed in their boxes until I got home.