I see drone videos & pictures posted on here, YouTube, Facebook etc etc
People flying, seemingly without a care and here’s me uncomfortable and full of anxiety just getting the drone out of my bag
It’s not the flying either, as once I’m actually doing it I honestly don’t mind
I think it’s an age thing, as I’m getting increasingly like this with my camera too, go back 10-15 years and I really didn’t give a toss what anybody thought or said
I’m really starting to think this drone lark isn’t for me
As long as you are flying on the right side of the law then you have nothing to worry about.
Know the rules and have a copy of insurance details to hand and get on with your business.
Many simply wear a hi viz vest as this seems to deter 95% of karens. Personally I welcome the conversation as I love to correct the miss informed public
As Howard says as long as your on the right side of the law all is good.
Personally I don’t know if its luck or where I choose to fly but in the 3 years I have had a drone I have only ever had positive interactions and even they are quite rare. Nowadays I don’t overthink it and just get on with it.
Had more issues with street photography with community police challenging me on what I am doing.
I think if you poke the bear is where the issues start but in general people are not overly fussed.
I get angsty when I see footage which does not conform to my perception of what is right and proper, such as flying that clearly cannot be within the CAA rules regarding 400’ ceiling or VLOS. I can see how people are tempted into it, with fpv providing a workable means of controlling the drone and the attraction of the high viewpoint, but roolz is roolz, and breaking them gives us an image problem. Same goes for flyiing close to hospitals or schools.
The meeja are happy to pounce on this to the extent that whenever I talk about my drone up the pub, the default response is ‘yeah yeah, perving again’. This is banter, especially the ‘again’ part, and doesn’t bother me much, but the response is common to general conversation and has been implanted in peoples’ minds by the meeja, bless 'em. The next resposne is to ask for footage of a gig or match. I’m then told that nobody with a drone obeys the rules anyway. Of course, some don’t, and while that’s their affair, I’m bothered by it!
The cumulative effect of all this is your anxiety and discomfort getting the drone out of the bag. I have (so far, but it’s not been very long) encountered no adverse reaction to flying my drone; there are often people in the area and I am either ignored and left to get on with it, or there is genuine interest in what I’m doing. But I am anxious when setting up for flying, and hyper-aware of those around me. Like you, when the drone is up I don’t mind, probably because I’m concentrating on the drone. I’m sure this is why flying is so relaxing; because it requires your undivided attention, you are forced to forget any other problems or issues that may be bothering you!
I totally understand where your coming from & still sometimes feel that way occasionally,
If you were to get in your car & set off & people are around ( if you drive that is ) you’d think nothing it if someone was watching or whatever but, because of this certain public / Karen’s where drones are concerned as soon as you feel someone may have looked at you or whatever when you have your drone out for me personally straight away I can’t help but think what are they thinking if that makes sense, easier said than done but you have to do it with confidence & know / tell yourself your doing nothing wrong, following the laws as mentioned above it does & will get easier,
Confidence knowing you’re not in the wrong is the best way I can put it & balls to whom look down their noses ……
Like most things, it does get easier the more you do it.
I spent the first year of owning a drone driving my wife crazy. “I’m going out with the drone. Want to come with me?” We’d then drive about aimlessly for an hour or two whilst I saw lots of places I wanted to fly but would come up with lots of excuses why I couldn’t.
She doesn’t mind sitting in the car whilst I fly about, but she really objects to sitting in the car whilst I don’t…
The trick, for me anyway, was to start off small with little flights in places I did feel comfortable. Then progress up to little flights in places I was less comfortable. Build up from there. Immersion theory, or some such?
The kick up the arse for me was my wife making me tell her where I was going to stop and fly before I left the house… and then telling me I’d get a literal kick up the arse if I came back empty handed
What area are you in. If you are a little bit uncomfortable on your own let people know where you are or look on here for a local meet. Get to know other members and meet up with others.
If you enjoy the drone flying, do not let idiots who do not know the law put you off.
To be fair, I’ve never had any interactions with anyone, the few times I’ve flown not one person has batted an eyelid
I know this anxiety about the drone is entirely my own doing and not as the result of anyone else
@Jabtas I’m no stranger to stress Tim or the anxiety that goes with it, so I fully understand your issues.
Like most things that involve time, investment and learning new skills, anxiety is natures way to focus our attention and remain cautious during the process.
Understanding the rules and preperation prior to flying is key to alleviating some, but not all of stress of flying a drone.
After flying for the best part of 4 yrs I still get nervous sometimes before a flight and have dark thoughts about the consequences should it go wrong.
As with virtually everything in life time and experience are great healers and talking and interacting with others who have been where you are now will 100% help to accelerate your transition to fully enjoying this great hobby.
You may get negative feedback from the ignorant, you may not, but armed with the knowledge and practicle experience you will learn to handle such situations as they arise.
The most important thing I’ve learnt over many years is fear is sometimes a good thing but not to let it control your life; as many great achievements and the associated enjoyment that comes with them can be had on the other side of it.
Start small, practise, know your subject, and do your pre-flight diligence (Drone Scene is awsome for this) and interact as much as you can with like minded souls and I guarantee you that any anxiety that remains is soon dispelled.
Strangely I’m the opposite. Only been droning for a couple of years but into photography for 30. I can whip the drone out anywhere and not care, sometimes knowing I’mgoing to be questioned. Walking around with a camera however? I’d really like to try street photography but I feel really uncomfortable using a camera near lots of people in town centres etc. I can walk around popular beauty spots and walking venues, crawling around in the bushes and lying in the dirt, trying to find an interesting angle. People pointing and smiling at me. Don’t care. Very weird!!!
I’ve done the crawling around with the camera thing for 40yrs and really didn’t care what people had to say either, until recent years
As I said in an earlier post, the problem is not the drone, or camera, it’s me
It’s sorting it I’m struggling with, and the drone just seems to be adding to it
