Dji Phantom UAVs

[MX5_Nuts]

Guys be prepared to have to register and take a "safety test" if the new drone laws come into place next year!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38386292

[GetCarter]

MX5_Nuts said:

Guys be prepared to have to register and take a "safety test" if the new drone laws come into place next year!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38386292

Rightly so. Too many idiots out there, let alone future terrorists.

[Tuna]

The USA run a similar system, but takeup seems to be low, though they're calling it a success.

The BBC also have this roundup of 2016 drones - typically short and light on details:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38389864

[Tuna]

MX5_Nuts said:

Guys be prepared to have to register and take a "safety test" if the new drone laws come into place next year!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-38386292

Worth pointing out that the full proposal includes requirements that any drone should be electronically identifiable from a distance so that the operator can be tracked, as well as requirements that drone owners use an app for 'permission to fly', identifying where they are and where they intend to fly to for each flight. There may be an annual fee for registration and mandated insurance as well.

At this stage it's a consultation. Some of the ideas are reasonable, some rather draconian. Unfortunately, I can't see anything in it that will actually stop idiots and terrorists - unless we have that special kind of idiot / terrorist who likes to fill in a form before they do anything dangerous.

The proposals are here: https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploa...

And the consultation survey is here: http://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/BJVII/

[MX5_Nuts]

• Rant warning!**

Saw this in our local newspaper today:



Apparently its now illegal to fly drones on Dartmoor without permission to fly and they will only allow "properly trained and adequately insured pilots" to fly on the moors!

"Members of the public out for a bit of peace and quiet are getting fed up"

What a load of bloody rubbish! Dartmoor is the only place I really ever fly away from people and buildings etc and hardly ever encounter anyone else when flying - its 368 Sq. miles for god sake and people are moaning about the noise?! I know there have been complaints with people flying close to the public - they should be shot but a complete ban on flying?

I haven't got time or the spare cash to be taking drone courses and insurance just for the occasional flight in the middle of nowhere causing no harm at all!!

I understand the idiots spoil it for the rest of us and they need to bring in tighter controls but banning a whole national park is just crazy imo.

The future for drone pilots doesn't look good at all and this is the end of the road for me. Shame.

Anyone wanna buy a Phantom 3 Professional?

[troc]

The problem is that bans will only harm legitimate users. The idiots and clueless ones will just keep flying anyway. Same here in Holland. They have just banned flying over a huge nature reserve because they are worried about people scaring nesting birds. Any responsible drone user already knew to avoid nesting seasons(s) and not to fly near huge flocks but a couple of incidents by idiots and we are all screwed.

Then in Sweden they are essentially banned due to the stupid 'all cameras must be handheld' rule and Austria is almost as bad.

Hopefully they will come to a sensible arrangement and agreement soon before we all become outlaws!

[MX5_Nuts]

Didn't realise they are banned outright in certain country's! Would't be surprised if it eventually goes that way here in uk.

[Tuna]

Monty Python said:

Just seen the Yuneec Typhoon H - looks very good, particularly the controller. Would get one if it didn't cost so much.

That's the one I have - very stable, some neat tricks and regular updates from Yuneec.

[Dermot O'Logical]

MX5_Nuts said:

**Rant warning!**

Saw this in our local newspaper today:



Apparently its now illegal to fly drones on Dartmoor without permission to fly and they will only allow "properly trained and adequately insured pilots" to fly on the moors!

"Members of the public out for a bit of peace and quiet are getting fed up"

What a load of bloody rubbish! Dartmoor is the only place I really ever fly away from people and buildings etc and hardly ever encounter anyone else when flying - its 368 Sq. miles for god sake and people are moaning about the noise?! I know there have been complaints with people flying close to the public - they should be shot but a complete ban on flying?

I haven't got time or the spare cash to be taking drone courses and insurance just for the occasional flight in the middle of nowhere causing no harm at all!!

I understand the idiots spoil it for the rest of us and they need to bring in tighter controls but banning a whole national park is just crazy imo.

The future for drone pilots doesn't look good at all and this is the end of the road for me. Shame.

Anyone wanna buy a Phantom 3 Professional?

A similar ban already exists in the New Forest, which is also a National Park. The authorities (Forestry Commission, New Forest Verderers, National Park Authority) will be making sure that the ban is better publicised. The potential fine is "up to £500".

[Emeye]

I'm wondering how the CAA plan to enforce any new legislation, as currently they seem to have about three people working in the drone and PFAW department.

[Tuna]

Emeye said:

I'm wondering how the CAA plan to enforce any new legislation, as currently they seem to have about three people working in the drone and PFAW department.

You missed the bit where they charge you for a drone license on an annual basis. The proposal is that registration and all the administration should be self funding.

[Emeye]

Tuna said:

Emeye said:

I'm wondering how the CAA plan to enforce any new legislation, as currently they seem to have about three people working in the drone and PFAW department.

You missed the bit where they charge you for a drone license on an annual basis. The proposal is that registration and all the administration should be self funding.

Well I have to pay for my PFAW each year and the turnaround time is drawn out - their excuse? They are understaffed.

[04helipilot]

Tuna said:

Emeye said:

I'm wondering how the CAA plan to enforce any new legislation, as currently they seem to have about three people working in the drone and PFAW department.

You missed the bit where they charge you for a drone license on an annual basis. The proposal is that registration and all the administration should be self funding.

Its now the responsibility of the police to take people to court for anyone caught breaking the drone laws.

[Tuna]

04helipilot said:

Its now the responsibility of the police to take people to court for anyone caught breaking the drone laws.

The proposal is that any drone over 250g should be 'self identifying' and registration required. Then they're suggesting that any member of the public should be allowed to challenge a drone operator and report them if they can't show valid paperwork. Finally, they hope to introduce a scheme where all flights have to be notified in advance and the public should have access to a live database of flights and operators in their area. Once all that lot is in place, it makes the job of actually prosecuting someone pretty easy.

After that I think they're going to come after photographers and people who 'look funny'.

[amancalledrob]

Tuna said:

The proposal is that any drone over 250g should be 'self identifying' and registration required. Then they're suggesting that any member of the public should be allowed to challenge a drone operator and report them if they can't show valid paperwork. Finally, they hope to introduce a scheme where all flights have to be notified in advance and the public should have access to a live database of flights and operators in their area. Once all that lot is in place, it makes the job of actually prosecuting someone pretty easy.

After that I think they're going to come after photographers and people who 'look funny'.

I got a Phantom 3S for Christmas. Looks like I've got it just in time to have some fun before it all goes to st

[MX5_Nuts]

amancalledrob said:

I got a Phantom 3S for Christmas. Looks like I've got it just in time to have some fun before it all goes to st

Enjoy it while you can. Fortunately mines sold now but had some good fun over the year.

[Emeye]

Any one selling a P3A, P3P or P4 in good condition - preferably reasonably nearly new let me know - I want to upgrade from my P2.

[amancalledrob]

Anyone used an aftermarket Phantom battery? Just wondering how reliable they are. I've used aftermarket batteries in my DSLR before but they don't hold a charge anywhere near as well as the OEM ones. In something that flies, I'm understandably apprehensive

[Jezz172]

Emeye said:

Any one selling a P3A, P3P or P4 in good condition - preferably reasonably nearly new let me know - I want to upgrade from my P2.

I'm just about to put my P3 Pro up for sale
3 batteries and a rigid case
No idea what it's worth though

[MX5_Nuts]

Got £500 cash for mine. P3P with 1 spare genuine battery plus a cheap 30 quid case all in as new condition with 64gb Sandisk Extreme SD. I put it on Ebay and I was inundated with offers ranging from a piss take £350 to £500 but minus ebay fees (£500 = £50 + paypal fees and hassle of posting + chance of being conned) I decided to end it and sell on Gumtree F.O.C and was collected the next day