What kind of drone pilot are You?

Hi Shane.

I actually bought a bundle of custom printed Drone ID card and 12 Operator ID stickersfrom Amazon here - I put extra stickers on my 3 batteries.

The lanyard was separate but the one I got is no longer available - however something like this should do.

Happy droning :+1:

Thank you very much. I have found an ID website which does the perfect thing😊

I last flew at a local fund raiser, and all the people who spoke to me were really interested in the rules, costs and what it takes to get flying. Some said they were going to look into getting a Mini 3 pro.

I also cover local tractor runs etc, and mainly get people interested in the hobby, never had any bad comments except one tractor run when I took off and someone called out ā€œYou can’t fly that, there are peopleā€. I just ignored the comment and carried on.

Such a shame the public are not educated more in the rules and regulations, PINAC is a thing, just not made obvious to the general public.

The amount of idiots on Fakebook that say ā€œI would shoot it/knock it downā€. Different if it is hovering above your garden when the wife is sunbathing, but not when it is legally collecting photons of the surrounding area.

I was banned from taking off at a Caravan and Motorhome site (as a review video for other campers), and it was less than half occupied, because they said I would be breaking their right to privacy, but from 120mtrs up you cant identify people anyway. Yet it was ok for me to walk the site with a video camera.

Some people’s logic baffles me, DRONE = BAD. Video Camera= not a problem.

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I know I’m a cautious flyer (I also have some issues with anxiety)
When I first got my mini 3 I was extremely nervous and never flew it more than 100m or so.
The I built up confidence in very quiet country places and may have stretched VLOS rules.
Going to the GreyArrows meets has been really good (although I still not flown with them yet) as I’ve met folk and watched what they do.
Something I try to do now is think ā€œwhat would @milkmanchris do?) and mostly the answer is ā€œjust flyā€ :blush:

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Hi Rusty, take a look at this video on the topic. I found it amusing.

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I fly largely rurally (which happens to be where all the great photography views are imo!) so rarely draw any attention. Over the nearly two years I’ve had one unpleasant interaction and several very pleasant ones.

Occasionally I stretch to urban flying but need to be in the right mood, sometimes baling out before if there are too many people or my favoured spot is occupied, I can always go back when there’s no one around.

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I’m on the cautious side, particularly as I have a Mavic 3 Classic; by no means a large drone but not exactly difficult to notice! I therefore generally fly in rural or coastal areas, though as an A2 CofC holder I do occasionally make use of it.
I have occasionally been in areas where there is a reasonable level of passing pedestrians and I’ve found the most successful way to avoid any confrontations is to be friendly, give them the time of day and avoid obstructing footpaths etc. Most people pass by and return the smile/friendly greeting, and some stop and ask questions.
I often show them the screen on the RC and tell them what I’m taking footage of. Generally when you explain to people that you have an interest in photography and capturing imagery of the local landscape, they can tell that you’re not up to anything dodgy.
There will no doubt always be those that have an opinion on drones and will seek confrontation, regardless of whether you’re in the right or wrong, however I like to think that, especially since doing the A2 CofC, I plan where I’m flying and try to be considerate of others. So hopefully those incidents will be few and far between…

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I’m a total nervous ninny. I need a clear 1km radius of no-one about before I get the drone out of the bag. I’m sure I will gain some confidence soon, but I’m still dispatching my partner to scout for anyone/anything nearby and feel immediately guilty if so much as a dog shows up. No idea why.

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Bring yourself and your partner to a meet-up somewhere, Amber, we’ll all help you overcome any nervous-ninny-ness :blush:

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@PingSpike I would LOVE to get to a meet up. It will happen.

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Nothing wrong with a bit of caution! Keep getting the practice in, confidence comes with time :+1:t2::sunglasses:

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same here!

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That’s a question.

When I first started a couple of years ago I was a very underconfident one. Even when out in the middle of nowhere. I’d chucked those cheap knock offs before getting a Yuneec Typhoon with all the gubbins for Ā£200. Had one or two Wright Brothers moments with old ladies walking their dogs wanting to have a look at the flying machine but I always had that feeling that I shouldn’t be there.

The A2 ticket, the hi Viz vest and the M3P changes the game a little bit. As soon as that goes on the flight safety hat goes on too. I’ve got a lot more stick time now and people tend to leave me alone if they can see you’re working and obviously the hi Viz means you’ve got some kind of authority apparently. In their minds anyway.

Which is nice.

What kind of a pilot am I now?

Adequate to the task that I want to do. That will do for me.

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Did you print it yourself as we printed ours along with ID cards.?

When I first began using drones with the mini 2 I was quite anxious about launching it in public, but 3 years and 4 drones later not so much.

I’ll plan on Google maps where to park where I may be able to Toal. I find the more prep I do the less I have to be concerned about when flying. I’m a morning flyer and like to get out there early doors, nothing like being out in the country first thing. I’m not put off from launching anywhere in front of anyone either.

On the confrontation side, I’ve had a few, but I’ve found my own way as, everybody does, of dealing with various situations. The trouble is what I’ve found is, how ever a confrontation has ended and how ever I’ve dealt with it, for me to take off and carry on flying is mostly a no go, only because the adrenaline is flowing and that kicks off my anxiety. I don’t worry about having a discussion/barny with anyone it just has an after effect.

The big thing for me is launching in towns or cities, all the hustle and bustle, but I suppose that would change if I flew there more often🤷

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Would you mind sharing what you found with us please?

Whilst I prefer to fly in the middle of nowhere, I will fly in urban areas.
My 1st urban flight was within a FRZ (permission obtained) dji unlock needed as well. I was totaling from a lay by on the main road through my home town, overhead wires, BBC camera man, photographers, security guards, and a police presents. I was filming a demonstration. Police checked I had permission from ATC then told me to carry on. (The policeman knew the rules, he had a mini 2 himself.)
After that my confidence grew, so flying with people around doesn’t bother me any more.

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Isn’t it great when they know the rules as well as we do.

And play by them

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