New Drone Laws in 2021

[Lonewolf]

Phew, what a relief. I've just completed my test with the Civil Aviation Authority for the A2 C of C and passed 

All online due to Covid but still tested under strict examination policies by an external invigilator as you would expect with anything connected to the CAA.

I can now fly legally again, not that I have flown in the interim between the old laws becoming redundant on the 31st December 2020 and today as I didn't want to risk getting caught and prosecuted and the weather has been .

For the class of drone I have currently, (before the new Certified drones are available in 2023) I can now fly in most places and the added bonus is that I can now use the drone for commercial purposes with the appropriate insurance. Not something I plan to do in the short term but if an opportunity arose I may consider it if the financial rewards were beneficial. Once the Certified drones are available to purchase in 2023 the restrictions are even more favourable to anyone holding a C of C qualification.

Is anyone else on here a drone user and have they done the above course or indeed any other courses for drones.

[O.C.]

Steve, when the 'dust settles' and lockdown restrictions are eased then you should explore the opportunities of using your skills for gaining financial rewards, we've all seen the quality of your film/photographic work,  which is excellent,  you definitely have a natural ability

Go for it

[GLA55Y]

I would be interested in doing that.

What sort of cost is involved? As of now with the mini I'm covered, although not for commercial.

[Lonewolf]

Steve, when the 'dust settles' and lockdown restrictions are eased then you should explore the opportunities of using your skills for gaining financial rewards, we've all seen the quality of your film/photographic work,  which is excellent,  you definitely have a natural ability

Go for it

I may just do that, it's a complex line of work to go into but I'm sure I could find a small opening that I could exploit and profit from.

[Lonewolf]

I would be interested in doing that.

What sort of cost is involved? As of now with the mini I'm covered, although not for commercial.

I went with this company which seems to have a good reputation and success rates at getting candidates through the course.

https://www.uavhub.com

The chap doing the online training is an ex-military helicopter pilot and therefore is very knowledgeable on aviation matters. The cost is currently reduced to £99 from £140 approximately so now is a great time to purchase the course.

My main motivation for doing the course was to ensure that when I go on my next biking trip, (2025 at this rate) I could use the drone to capture the environment I'm in which I wouldn't otherwise have been able to do under the new laws.

[O.C.]

I just looked at U.K drone flying regs and unless I'm mistaken no official qualifications are required for drones  not exceeding 25kgs whereas certified qualificationsare required for drones +250 Kgs

These seem to be high weights, are drones that heavy ? 

A quick check of Mavic spec shows item weight of .25Kgs.....that seems more feasible 

[Lonewolf]

I just looked at U.K drone flying regs and unless I'm mistaken no official qualifications are required for drones  not exceeding 25kgs whereas certified qualificationsare required for drones +250 Kgs

These seem to be high weights, are drones that heavy ? 

A quick check of Mavic spec shows item weight of .25Kgs.....that seems more feasible 

I'm not sure where you got that info from but it's incorrect. The drone regs are quite complicated as there are categories and sub categories, regs for small drones with fitted cameras and regs for small drones without cameras. I'll find something and post it which may shed some light. 

[O.C.]

https://www.google.com/search?q=drone+flying+regulations+uk&oq=dr&aqs=chrome.0.69i59j69i57j69i61l2j69i60.1448j0j7&client=tablet-android-samsung-nf-rev1&sourceid=chrome-mobile&ie 

[O.C.]

Maybe me Steve, blame Boots opticians  (should have been grammes not Kgs     

[Brizzlerob]

fantastic, well done Steve. Probably harder doing the test online. Looking forward to more footage.

[Lonewolf]

fantastic, well done Steve. Probably harder doing the test online. Looking forward to more footage.

As soon as the weather improves and we have dryer days I'll be flying (and riding of course).

[O.C.]

As soon as the weather improves and we have dryer days I'll be flying (and riding of course).

 We have at last got some better non icy weather, don't know how long for though 

[Lonewolf]

I'm not sure if I've posted this pic on here before, but this is a shot of our 'second home' up in Scotland. (Holiday home)

The DJI Mavic Air 2 like most drones (if not all) will shoot stills. However the MA2 has a 48mp camera and will shoot in RAW allowing for editing of the photos without losing much quality etc. Composition wise this isn't a great photo but I was just dabbling. It's not too bad though. I can remember when folk used to pay good money for shots like this of their homes. Even the In-Law's have an arial shot of their home.

.

[Lonewolf]

For OC and anyone else interested in understanding the drone laws. This video is specific to my drone the Mavic Air 2, not all drones! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37F6cCRDL2k&t=626s

[O.C.]

Cheers Steve, I'll watch that on my laptop tomorrow,  what I I did notice was the scale of the drone in the intro, WOW what a wopper, as the actress said to the Bishop.