CAA usage of drones, distances from buildings

[nickyb]

Not sure if this is the same for the FAA, but in the UK it's said that no drone with a camera can fly nearer than 150m to a building, object etc.

Does this mean it's okay to cover over the building from a min of 150ft?

 

[Reed L]

No because 150m or 150 meters would be 492 feet

 

[TAZ]

Not sure if this is the same for the FAA, but in the UK it's said that no drone with a camera can fly nearer than 150m to a building, object etc.

Does this mean it's okay to cover over the building from a min of 150ft?

Think you're conflating terms, it's 150m not ft, over or within "congested" areas (so not over at all at any height...and at least 150m away from)....and 50m within any structure (no "over" restriction...so appears 50m above would be OK), provided it's not a congested area. Exact terms are here:

Small Unmanned Aircraft (20kg or less) | Aircraft | Operations and Safety

 

[nickyb]

Think you're conflating terms, it's 150m not ft, over or within "congested" areas (so not over at all at any height...and at least 150m away from)....and 50m within any structure (no "over" restriction...so appears 50m above would be OK), provided it's not a congested area. Exact terms are here:

Small Unmanned Aircraft (20kg or less) | Aircraft | Operations and Safety

Thanks. So above 50m here in the UK would be okay and within the law?

 

[TAZ]

Thanks. So above 50m here in the UK would be okay and within the law?

In reading the law, it appears so (not a lawyer), PROVIDED it's not a congested area (ie you're fling in a relatively wide open space and not an urban area). You'll have to research what "congested" means exactly. You need to be at least 150m away from, and not over any congested area. Otherwise, 50m distance is the rule.

 

[TAZ]

Congested Area by CAA defined: Operating in a Congested Area | Air Operations | Operations and Safety

"The Air Navigation Order defines a congested area as being ‘any area of a city, town or settlement which is substantially used for residential, industrial, commercial or recreational purposes’"

 

[nickyb]

In reading the law, it appears so (not a lawyer), PROVIDED it's not a congested area (ie you're fling in a relatively wide open space and not an urban area). You'll have to research what "congested" means exactly. You need to be at least 150m away from, and not over any congested area. Otherwise, 50m distance is the rule.

Thanks Taz. Yes, I will read up on congested. Mainly will ne flying in fields which back onto my small village but can't resist flying over the certainly non congested street.

 

[D4T_PoM]

UK Law has some very funny loop holes.

Like if you die in the House of Commons, you have to have a state funeral.