No Drone flying
Author
Discussion

mickythefish

Original Poster:

1,700 posts

23 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
I did a walk this weekend and at ladybower reservoir I saw these signs. Now I understand on private land you can't without permission, but flying a drone off a public footpath is legal are my understanding of the laws, is that correct?

STe_rsv4

984 posts

115 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
exactly.

Take off "away" from the warning signs. Fly until your hearts content.
There's too many of these "warning signs" being put up for no apparent reason than to piiss us off biggrin

OutInTheShed

11,956 posts

43 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
No.
Firstly a public footpath can be private land.
Secondly, lots of public places have bylaws banning drone flying.

mark-3bw80

94 posts

35 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Carry on flying where ever you like as long as the drone is 249 grams or lighter.

Evanivitch

24,896 posts

139 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
mickythefish said:
I did a walk this weekend and at ladybower reservoir I saw these signs. Now I understand on private land you can't without permission, but flying a drone off a public footpath is legal are my understanding of the laws, is that correct?
Public footpaths are often on private land.

Ladybower Reservoir is owned privately by Severn Trent.

MonkeyBusiness

4,122 posts

204 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
mark-3bw80 said:
Carry on flying where ever you like as long as the drone is 249 grams or lighter.
I am sure the UK's airports will disagree.

mickythefish

Original Poster:

1,700 posts

23 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Evanivitch said:
Public footpaths are often on private land.

Ladybower Reservoir is owned privately by Severn Trent.
Doesn't really answer the question. Had a look no byelaws, and even the caa says, ''You can fly small drones and model aircraft that are lighter than 250g at residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites.''

You could just fly it from the public path by the road.

Granadier

909 posts

44 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Presumably a landowner can only control use of their airspace up to a certain altitude? People fly airliners and the occasional helicopter over my garden without asking me for permission

Evanivitch

24,896 posts

139 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
mickythefish said:
Doesn't really answer the question. Had a look no byelaws, and even the caa says, ''You can fly small drones and model aircraft that are lighter than 250g at residential, recreational, commercial and industrial sites.''

You could just fly it from the public path by the road.
You need permission from landowners to take off and land. You can flyover private land.

You can take off from public space. But a public right of way that is over private land does not give the right to launch and recover drones.

So yes, you could from highways/local authority land.

mickythefish

Original Poster:

1,700 posts

23 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Granadier said:
Presumably a landowner can only control use of their airspace up to a certain altitude? People fly airliners and the occasional helicopter over my garden without asking me for permission
they don't own the airspace. So in effect the signs are pointless.

anonymous-user

71 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Probably because you aren't allowed to film Severn Trent locations without a permit.

https://www.stwater.co.uk/content/dam/stw/my-sever...

https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/frequentl...

mickythefish

Original Poster:

1,700 posts

23 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
MrBig said:
Probably because you aren't allowed to film Severn Trent locations without a permit.

https://www.stwater.co.uk/content/dam/stw/my-sever...

https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/frequentl...
that is commercial usage.

OutInTheShed

11,956 posts

43 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Isn't it 250g OR with a camera which needs a licence?

mark-3bw80

94 posts

35 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
MonkeyBusiness said:
I am sure the UK's airports will disagree.
If you know anything about drones most have a ringfence and you cannot take off within a restricted areas, always consult drone assist before flying.

mark-3bw80

94 posts

35 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Granadier said:
Presumably a landowner can only control use of their airspace up to a certain altitude? People fly airliners and the occasional helicopter over my garden without asking me for permission
You do not own the airspace above your garden, but you would had a cause to complain if a helicopter hovered in your garden .

48k

15,413 posts

165 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
mark-3bw80 said:
Carry on flying where ever you like as long as the drone is 249 grams or lighter.
People spreading this kind of misinformation is what the hobby can do without.

55palfers

6,139 posts

181 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
MrBig said:
Probably because you aren't allowed to film Severn Trent locations without a permit.

https://www.stwater.co.uk/content/dam/stw/my-sever...

https://www.peakdistrict.gov.uk/visiting/frequentl...
I think this extract from the ST document concerning "spills into their water" is amusing given the amount of grim they pump into rivers, etc.


Gibbler290

715 posts

112 months

Monday 19th August 2024
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Could one argue that there would also be a security risk as a reservoir would be critical infrastructure?

mark-3bw80

94 posts

35 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
48k said:
People spreading this kind of misinformation is what the hobby can do without.
Have a read of this fella;https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/drone-code/where-you-can-fly

STe_rsv4

984 posts

115 months

Monday 19th August 2024
quotequote all
Gibbler290 said:
Could one argue that there would also be a security risk as a reservoir would be critical infrastructure?
Yet I can pretty much drive in and walk around any of the reservoirs around my area. Not sure why flying a drone over would pose any risk to security?