Multirotor, multicopter and quadcopter discussion - The Drone thread

Soldato
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Just done mine for my mavic pro drone. Managed to get 18/20 first time, a lot of it is just common sense really with the theory test.
Now I just have to find a label printer to print off the operator label and attach it to my drone.

Someone on one of the FB groups did this, so Ive filled it in and keeping it in the bag with the Mavic. I dont want stickers all over it :)

vDibZ4N.jpg
 
Associate
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Although that's a nice form, the whole point is the number on your drone so when we lose them (apparently a quarter of us have lost one) you can be identified from it.
In fact if you don't add the code to your quad, your £9 was wasted as:
CAA website said:
It is against the law to fly a drone or model aircraft that does not show a valid operator ID.

https://register-drones.caa.co.uk/labelling-your-drone-or-model-aircraft

simon
 
Soldato
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Associate
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But who is going to police it? The Police surely aren't. It's all a right farce, waste of time and waste of money.
Totally agree. In fact I've not registered yet. But it seems an odd choice to have actually done the quiz, paid the money and then stay on the wrong side of the law because you don't want to stick a sticker on your drone.

I am not sure where the line is drawn between a rc helicopter that is >1kg that hasn't been out of it's box for 8 years, a 6' glider that's been hanging on my wall for >10 years, a 5 inch quad at 650g that doesn't have all it's motors attached at the moment, a small CP RC heli again on a shelf, a 3" 240g quad, a tiny whoop and a motor on a stick that you attach to a paper airplane and control with your phone.

I'm going with if I'm not actually flying something >250g I'm not registering. As soon as I do I will pay my money, do the test, stick the number on whatever and carry on.

Simon
 
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Soldato
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What are people’s thoughts on the software updates that will allow people to locate pilot’s details and physical location when flying drones? Seems like an opportunity for thieves to locate people with expensive toys when they’re mid flight
 
Soldato
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I'm a member of both FPV UK and DroneSafe Register. We have a grace period until January 2020 as FPV UK members are exempt from the registration deadline until then. Between now and then, FPV UK will contact its members and request the fee then pay it upon your behalf. As a responsible drone pilot I have no real problem with this. I think regulation is a good thing although......those who will fly irresponsibly or those who will use UAV's for criminal activity will not give a hoot about this at all. So that's a bit of a beef.

And as far as policing this is concerned, it's going to be a simply huge task. However, and I can't say to much on a public forum but.....in my current job/specialist role I work alongside a number of partnership agencies and police units. In my neck of the woods. Believe me, UAV usage will and is being policed. I've spoken to our dedicated Police CAA liaison officer and his department receive hundreds of alerts and complaints per week which are prioritised and followed up. All of them. Maybe not immediately but all are subject to scrutiny and appropriate follow up action is exercised. The police are well aware of the potential negative issues of drone usage, and are most interested in criminal activity and the CT threat that a weaponized drone could pose. Yes, even here in the UK.

I've been flying UAV's for years and the last technical input delivery we had from the officer I mentioned above opened my eyes to just how aware and proactive the authorities in the UK are to UAV's being used criminally. In fact, during the technical input he delivered his service mobile phone went off a number of times with reports coming in of irresponsible or illegal flying activities. However folks, what they are most interested in is exactly this - the criminal element and above all the CT element. Irresponsible pilots will also pop up on their radar but will get prioritised accordingly for action if that makes sense?
 
Soldato
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I'm a member of both FPV UK and DroneSafe Register. We have a grace period until January 2020 as FPV UK members are exempt from the registration deadline until then.

You're only exempt from registering as an operator.

You still need to prove competency after Nov 30th. You do that by either holding a certificate from BMFA or in your case FPV UK and carrying your certificate and a copy of the exemption (http://publicapps.caa.co.uk/docs/33/1328.pdf), or by getting a flyer ID from the CAA.

Like I put above, I only found out about this yesterday. I too (BMFA member for 10 years) thought we were exempt, but it's only an exemption from registering as an operator, which is the bit that costs £9.
 
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Soldato
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Picked this up for a song the other day . Been reading all the manuals and stuff.. done all the firmware.. Need to register it and get out for my first flight !!

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Associate
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Picked this up for a song the other day . Been reading all the manuals and stuff.. done all the firmware.. Need to register it and get out for my first flight !!

fda2cd5adc8a9928e3d8ea52de208e80.jpg

Enjoy, I’ve got one of these too, start off in beginner mode and it’ll be simple. Just keep it low and close to you (although the collision avoidance sensors will annoy you) and learn the basic manoeuvres. Once you’ve got that down start with the camera and enjoy. They are super stable and very very easy to fly.

I’m happy to answer any questions etc!
 
Soldato
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I got a nice fleet of custom built FPV drones, several 5" and many many 3" and lower. The 3" and lower are all sub 250g, the larger 5" are all over but in pieces for now as I have no intention of registering until at least Summer when I will get to fly them.
 
Don
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Wow, this thing really is small! Obviously it's crazy light too and does feel a little like a kids toy. Just charging now, I don't know if I'll get to test it tonight or wait until the morning.

I had a Phantom 3 a couple of years back but I'm seriously considering one of these. They look brilliant. What is the picture quality like?
 
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