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 āYou canāt 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 āI 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 peopleās logic baffles me, DRONE = BAD. Video Camera= not a problem.
I know Iām 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 Iāve met folk and watched what they do.
Something I try to do now is think āwhat would @milkmanchris do?) and mostly the answer is ājust flyā
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 Iāve 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 thereās no one around.
Iām 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 Iāve 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 Iām 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 youāre 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 youāre in the right or wrong, however I like to think that, especially since doing the A2 CofC, I plan where Iām flying and try to be considerate of others. So hopefully those incidents will be few and far betweenā¦
Iām a total nervous ninny. I need a clear 1km radius of no-one about before I get the drone out of the bag. Iām sure I will gain some confidence soon, but Iām 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.
When I first started a couple of years ago I was a very underconfident one. Even when out in the middle of nowhere. Iād 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 shouldnāt 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. Iāve got a lot more stick time now and people tend to leave me alone if they can see youāre working and obviously the hi Viz means youāve 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.
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.
Iāll 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. Iām a morning flyer and like to get out there early doors, nothing like being out in the country first thing. Iām not put off from launching anywhere in front of anyone either.
On the confrontation side, Iāve had a few, but Iāve found my own way as, everybody does, of dealing with various situations. The trouble is what Iāve found is, how ever a confrontation has ended and how ever Iāve 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 donāt 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 oftenš¤·
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 doesnāt bother me any more.