Drone usage at Tracks

[NickOrangeTVR]

Anyone have experience of taking a Drone to a track event - am pretty sure they wouldn't allow a free for all (very unsafe!) but wondered if anyone had ever got permission? I've seen footage at popular venues but could have been taken by professionals.

[mad4amanda]

Depending on the size (think its the weight circa 2kg including camera) you need a CAA licence to fly in public areas, plus for all use public liability insurance plus permission from the landowner (circuit operator) and TDO .
Certainly its not just a case of rocking up and flying .

[LB14]

I was at an Anglesey TD and they took a dim view of them on the basis they were a distraction to drivers, I'd imagine most places would be similar. Shame as you could get some cracking video, but understandable.

[Fab32]

There was one at the last track day at Blyton I went on, there were concerns about it being a distraction but it didn't cause an issue as far as I am aware on the day.

[Fab32]

see here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJG-mN42OME

[Andy Bell]

someone used one at Knockhill hairpin and whilst footage was awesome i think they were told to politely pee off.

[andrewrob]

I've filmed at a small sprint circuit before but this was with a BNUC-S UAV licence, public liability insurance, and CAA commercial approval.

Had permission from the track secretary but they first checked with the track day organiser that they were ok with it and then on the day at the driver briefing anyone who wasn't comfortable with it could make themselves known and we wouldn't film whilst they were out (although none did).
Also filmed at an autograss event (permission from oranisers again) but they've got so much to look at whilst they're driving I don't think half of them even noticed it was there!

[fatboychim]

I can't see as it can be any more distracting than JP landing his heli at the corporate suite just by the chicane at Bedford

[gruffalo]

fatboychim said:

I can't see as it can be any more distracting than JP landing his heli at the corporate suite just by the chicane at Bedford

Or having a Spitfire take off over the top of you at Goodwood, that one nearly caused an accident I can tell you:-)

[fatboychim]

gruffalo said:

Or having a Spitfire take off over the top of you at Goodwood, that one nearly caused an accident I can tell you:-)

Trouser accident?

[Fonzey]

There are as many (if not more) "crash" videos of drones on YouTube than there are "non-crash" videos! I wouldn't fancy my car smashing into a drone whilst on track, and I've got a nice safe tin-top.

Shame, as the footage from a drone could be awesome.

[TrackMegane]

Hypothetically if you were outside the grounds and flew it in they couldn't actually stop you...

[mad4amanda]

TrackMegane said:

Hypothetically if you were outside the grounds and flew it in they couldn't actually stop you...

Incorrect I`m afraid unless you had permission and relevant licences you cant do it.

[Munter]

TrackMegane said:

Hypothetically if you were outside the grounds and flew it in they couldn't actually stop you...

Physically possibly not. Legally....

[Magic919]

What are the 'relevant licences' for a hobbyist flying a drone with a camera attached?

[upsidedownmark]

Probably a BNUC-S in the UK, plus CAA approval if it's for commercial gain.
(or nothing if you stay well away from everything and everyone).

Best summary is probably here: http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1995&p...

- a camera (even a gopro) counts as surveillance equipment.
- ANYTHING where there is commercial gain (airwork) needs paperwork.
- There are prescribed limitations around how far and how close - a trackday would definitely be a public gathering.
- 7kg is the weight break

There's already been one conviction: http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=14&amp...

Edited by upsidedownmark on Monday 15th September 13:14

[TDIfurby]

Fab32 said:

There was one at the last track day at Blyton I went on, there were concerns about it being a distraction but it didn't cause an issue as far as I am aware on the day.

That drone was banned from flying over the track though. It had to stick to the show area only, and even then I do wonder about the issue of insurance should it fall out the sky and land on someone's head - Would imagine 2kg would hurt.

[mgv8dave]

upsidedownmark said:

Probably a BNUC-S in the UK, plus CAA approval if it's for commercial gain.
(or nothing if you stay well away from everything and everyone).

Best summary is probably here: http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1995&p...

- a camera (even a gopro) counts as surveillance equipment.
- ANYTHING where there is commercial gain (airwork) needs paperwork.
- There are prescribed limitations around how far and how close - a trackday would definitely be a public gathering.
- 7kg is the weight break

There's already been one conviction: http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=14&amp...

Edited by upsidedownmark on Monday 15th September 13:14

Interesting reading, which makes it almost impossible / pointless to film at a track day as with a Go pro you do not want to be over 150 meters away from the action. At that distance i think all sense of action and dynamics will be lost
as the angle of view is so wide.

[andrewrob]

mgv8dave said:

upsidedownmark said:

Probably a BNUC-S in the UK, plus CAA approval if it's for commercial gain.
(or nothing if you stay well away from everything and everyone).

Best summary is probably here: http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1995&p...

- a camera (even a gopro) counts as surveillance equipment.
- ANYTHING where there is commercial gain (airwork) needs paperwork.
- There are prescribed limitations around how far and how close - a trackday would definitely be a public gathering.
- 7kg is the weight break

There's already been one conviction: http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=14&amp...

Edited by upsidedownmark on Monday 15th September 13:14

Interesting reading, which makes it almost impossible / pointless to film at a track day as with a Go pro you do not want to be over 150 meters away from the action. At that distance i think all sense of action and dynamics will be lost
as the angle of view is so wide.

But, if the drivers of the track day vehicles are under your control (i.e in a agreement with you filming and the distances in which you're filming that) you can film much closer. We did a shoot at a track day much closer but obviously you need permission from the track secretary and anyone attending the track day.

[mgv8dave]

andrewrob said:

mgv8dave said:

upsidedownmark said:

Probably a BNUC-S in the UK, plus CAA approval if it's for commercial gain.
(or nothing if you stay well away from everything and everyone).

Best summary is probably here: http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1995&p...

- a camera (even a gopro) counts as surveillance equipment.
- ANYTHING where there is commercial gain (airwork) needs paperwork.
- There are prescribed limitations around how far and how close - a trackday would definitely be a public gathering.
- 7kg is the weight break

There's already been one conviction: http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=14&amp...

Edited by upsidedownmark on Monday 15th September 13:14

Interesting reading, which makes it almost impossible / pointless to film at a track day as with a Go pro you do not want to be over 150 meters away from the action. At that distance i think all sense of action and dynamics will be lost
as the angle of view is so wide.

But, if the drivers of the track day vehicles are under your control (i.e in a agreement with you filming and the distances in which you're filming that) you can film much closer. We did a shoot at a track day much closer but obviously you need permission from the track secretary and anyone attending the track day.

It just sounded like the CAA have it set in stone , regarding distances of vehicles / people etc . What copter were you using out of interest as i have / had been looking at a DJI Phantom 2 with H3-3D 3-AXIS Gimbal.