Got told off today! - Not allowed to fly in Country park, UK

FMF · May 7, 2015

Rosey, guessing you were in the fields past the gate house or off the tree lined main strip leading to the uni?

There is another field at the end of the top car park near the cafe, you need to walk past the cafe, through the woods and then cut through, its opposite a water tower - nobody really goes here as its a bit awkward. I've flown at the park before (a while ago) up by the obelisk.

I've seen a group of lads flying up at Gobions in Brookmans park. I fly at the St Albans model flying club up in Redbourn now, too risky flying on public land.

rosey · May 7, 2015

I'm in Essex, fortunately we have two country parks where I live.... assuming I can fly within them!

FMF · May 7, 2015

Really down to the local authority. It is getting increasingly difficult with some councils having outright bans. The CAA are prosecuting and the police seem to be getting more powers. Today is an interesting day as a 42 year old is due at Westminster magistrates charged with 17 offences of flying where he shouldn't be - some of which are pretty stupid, i.e parliament! http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...for-allegedly-flying-drones-over-uk-landmarks

rosey · May 7, 2015

wow - he sure picked his spots! No wonder they are prosecuting.

I've sent an email to the council to establish where I can fly, so lets see what they come back with.

I want to enjoy flying in a safe place, with out having to worry about whether I should be there or not.
These two country parks are the safest place to fly them in my immediate area, with most of them being woodland.
Let's hope they take a balanced view, my concern is that the easy route is to just ban them completely.

lrwskyfilms · May 7, 2015

FMF said:
Really down to the local authority. It is getting increasingly difficult with some councils having outright bans. The CAA are prosecuting and the police seem to be getting more powers. Today is an interesting day as a 42 year old is due at Westminster magistrates charged with 17 offences of flying where he shouldn't be - some of which are pretty stupid, i.e parliament! http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/...for-allegedly-flying-drones-over-uk-landmarks

Agree the outcome will be interesting and not doubt discussed on here, I wonder how many offences get throw out or he isn't prosecuted for.

As "the editor" stated in an earlier post, I have just noticed one of my parks has a sign saying "no RC aircraft allowed", only noticed it when I drove past, as there's 3 entrances to the park and I never use this one, never seen it before. It's an old sign, no doubt put up when my mate use to fly his heli.

rosey · May 7, 2015

I checked for signs and didn't see any, there may be some coming soon!

Assuming they do say no flying, I have a friend who's garden backs onto one of these country parks, so I wondered if I could take off and land from there and then fly over?

lrwskyfilms · May 7, 2015

rosey said:
I checked for signs and didn't see any, there may be some coming soon!

Assuming they do say no flying, I have a friend who's garden backs onto one of these country parks, so I wondered if I could take off and land from there and then fly over?

Take off/landing isn't the issue, flying is/can be. My local park must have put this up years ago when there was a increase of helis and RC planes brought and flown anywhere. As we all know they are no- where near as safe to fly in "inexperienced" hands as a GPS enabled quad, never mind RTH and all that.

I think it'll be an idea to be proactive and ask permission to fly and maybe invite a local council person to view you flying and take them through the safety features of the multi-rotor, show them your FRC's, PPE, cone off your TO/LZ area. Their probably just worried about being sued. Just my 2p.

rosey · May 7, 2015

The only reason I mentioned the garden for take off and landing is that they don't own that land, after that it will be in the air over the county park, I'm assuming they have no jurisdiction over the airspace?

I think it's a great idea to invite them to view the flying, especially as they may just assume it's a stand RC device.

lrwskyfilms · May 7, 2015

rosey said:
I'm assuming they have no jurisdiction over the airspace?

Probably correct, but said before and not in all cases, it'll easier to ban then bother to find out the various flying characteristics of all RC aircraft. If you get an email address, find a nice Youtube link showing all the benefits and features of the I1and send it to them.

Also they could quote CAP 722; you shouldn't be flying "over or within 150 metres of any congested area." or "within 50 metres of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft"

I feel for our US friends where flying is banned in all National Parks, hogwash, some of their parks are as big as some of our counties.

rosey · May 15, 2015

Ok I finally received a response to my email asking for the details around byelaws/rules etc.

This is what they have come back with.....

"Many thanks for your e-mail below regarding the flying of a quadcopter on *****’s open spaces, firstly my apologies for the delay in responding. I have consulted with colleagues and can confirm that the Council has not adopted any specific byelaws that would prohibit the use of a quadcopter or mechanical flying equipment, however as you are operating the equipment on Council owned and managed land the Council would still expect you to seek permission.

Having spoken with my line manager and head of service we have reservations regarding your activities in particular around public safety to other users and so would request that you refrain from carrying out such activities in the future. I appreciate that you may be disappointed by this decision but the Council has a duty of care to ALL users and to ensure that all users are safe when attending facilities. Although you have given reassurances in your e-mail below I fail to see how you are, could or would prevent members of the public straying into the flying zone whilst your operating your equipment, this gives great cause for concern should there be a malfunction or failure on the equipment which causes it to fly uncontrolled and heightened the risk of it hitting others on site.

Again I appreciate you may be disappointed by this stance but the Council’s main priority, first and foremost, must always be the safety and well being of those using its sites."

Thoughts?

Outta Control · May 15, 2015

rosey said:
...Thoughts?

Yes.
In a political way...

In reality...
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HrxSy0sjtFw/UYAKNLdvlwI/AAAAAAAAAeI/wIlghyI-IUs/s1600/double+****+off.gif

kenny kustom · May 15, 2015

I guess no other sporting events.
Someone could walk into the line of fire from a soccer ball.
Or get hit with a frisbee.

Just tell the people, that could be in harms way, to not be hanging out at 40' in the air?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

rosey · May 15, 2015

I might email him back thanking him and for confirming that I can legally use the inspire in public places (in accordance with the law)....

lrwskyfilms · May 16, 2015

rosey said:
Thoughts?

Good luck, you might be banging your head against a brick wall but sending an email is worth a try, even try and get to meet this "line manager". I doubt their response is directed at you personally, but saying yes go ahead, could encourage others not so sensible and thoughtful as you to fly and there lies their problem and their response. IMHO.