So I conducted a site visit today and below is a short video showing everything you would need to know. I am quite keen to hear what people think, as I suspect there are a few challenges here that won’t sit well as I allude to in my video. VLOS is the main one (you do have it but it is complicated) but also it is likely we would be a group in full view of, and within pester distance of the public. Not something that bothers me, but not for everyone.
I am happy to scout about for alternatives, it gives me an excuse to upload more videos
@grandad1950 there are loads of less interesting places to fly. I will have a look at the map again… I mean the baisngstoke canal near me in Pirbright is perfect as you can cross over into the heath land and its very quiet, great way to get some nice water / nature shots.
Care needs to be taken near canals, I was flying on what I thought was a very quiet section of the Basingstoke Canal nearer Odiham when a dog walker I hadn’t noticed appeared on the tow path, I was flying over the canal and flew the drone up through the trees overhanging the canal and up out the way of the person on the tow path. The tow paths are typically narrow with no easy way of escape for uninvolved or involved people from an errant drone. Sorry to put a downer on this, but just thought it worth sharing my experience.
Like the look of the location apart from that bloody great pothole on the bridge and the very iffy looking car park entrance. That old ruin is excellent though
Me and my wife wondered the same thing. They were like a gift for the video. I uploaded a tidy version of the bits I shot in the video thread, there is more of them at the start and end of that vid.
Yes point taken re canals. My thoughts (if we were to canal it) would be to cross over onto the non footpath side. Therefore away from everyone. But, as you say water and branches in abundance may not be for everyone. I may visit the location today and do another video.
If the Priory is still in contention then that’s fine, and we don’t have to decide for ages. I will put another recce video together this weekend.
Been out this morning and have an alternative site, videoed below for thoughts. I have managed to get some great footage there this morning, which I will compile and upload into a video over the weekend. Could be a good shout, parking is near enough, only a short walk (0.5m) from free parking to this location.
As the meet becomes better known it may well attract new pilots who want to try out their recently purchased drones. That’s great, it’s one of the attractions of a meet, a group of people of varying likes and abilities swapping tips and techniques.
But canals, attractive as they are to experiencedpilots, tend to have trees and water, both of which are drone unfriendly …
I think that should be fine for me, will put it on the calendar. Have never flown in company though, so am a bit nervous. I mainly do stills photography, as my smoothness of control isn’t great, especially since upgrading to a Mini 4 Pro recently.
Im happy to go wherever. There is an open plain field a few hundred metres from that location with parking, it is featureless but im not fussed about where we go.
@milkmanchris I dont agree with the advice posted in that link. It says itself there is no clear guidance. In the absence of enforceable law by way of statute or land order it it just more unfounded objection with no basis.
Do we have a forum rule or opinion on canals or trust land? Or better still, some evidence of statutory offence wording and penalty for the alleged breach?
So I keep being told… but in my experience forums are for discussion and sharing views, not just constantly referrimg people to a search tool that provides historic narrative which may have changed.
The reason I specifically asked that is because if canals are against the grain in the community then I dont want to encourage activity there. Im not sure whether the previous link was purely for info or a suggestion not to use a canal site.
Personally I am more than happy to fly there, im yet to be shown any evidence to the contrary.
I do usually through a scope 
