Drones Banned – Another Day, Another Place.

On Wednesday, in Abu Dhabi, the Department for Economic Development  announced a complete ban on the sale of recreational UAS  because they pose a risk to aviation.

“Stopping the sale of drones comes within the mandate of the centre to regulate and control commercial activities that may negatively affect community security,”  Mohammed Al Rumaithi, acting executive director of the centre.

The report doesn’t state how this will impact on people whom already own a UAV, and can they be stopped being bought online and shipped? What it state is that new legislation is currently being reviewed.

You can read a far more in depth report here

http://www.thenational.ae/uae/sale-of-recreational-drones-banned-in-abu-dhabi

TU

Phantom @ White House

There was a recent report of a undisclosed Drone, crashing on the ground of the White House. As many probably predicted, it was a DJI Phantom 2.

Below is a link to the BBC News page.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-31023750

Turns out it was flown by a Government Intelligence Agency employee – when he was drunk!

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/28/us/white-house-drone.html?_r=1

The start of things to come?

This is what every UAS Pilot fears. The Police swooping in, taking your Drone and arresting you….maybe not like this though.

How is snatching the control system from a qualified Pilot, passing amongst yourselves while you attempt to bring it down, be safe?!?!?

Is this a case of heavy handed Policing, or a simple lack of awareness from the offices who attended, about the law and how UAV’s are flown and controlled?

One one hand, you have a lack of public trust and awareness of Drones (other than the horror stories they read in the Daily Mail) so they see one and automatically panic and call the Police, assuming its dangerous and Illegal.

One the other hand you have the Police, who still across the UK, don’t seem to understand the laws relating to the use of UAV’s. As i mentioned in a previous post, I actually called my local Police Force, and told them about what I was doing, when and where. They had no idea where to direct my call, or even whom I might contact, to help them, have a better understanding on the laws in place, and how we are a town could help pioneer more a ‘Proactive’ approach to the use of Drones.

When I called, they just asked for my name, address, where I would be flying. I was told they would store my details for future reference. That was it.

The Chap in question is called Eddie Mitchell, someone I follow on twitter, and is one of a few qualified and licensed Photojournalists in the UK. I would like to suggest that he is one of the few people the Police and Government should be getting on side, not arresting!

There is such a lack of awareness and fear regarding the use of UAS’s in the UK, and its stories like this and the approach by the police that is making matters worse.

They should encourage links between ‘experienced’ and ‘accredited’ pilots, who know the industry better than anyone. Most importantly, its users like Eddie and other CAA accredited Pilots, who want regulation, who want proper laws putting in place, so the Industry is allowed to exists and we can make a living from it.

It is one of my big worries that one day ill turn around to see the flash of blue lights coming towards me.

Eddie Mitchells Twitter is

https://twitter.com/brightonsnapper

Surrey Police arresting me a UAV Pilot in Gatwick ATZ whilst the UAV is in mid air,released after nearly 5 hours NFA http://t.co/qvg1J5xkh2—
eddie mitchell (@brightonsnapper) December 30, 2014

The article was in the Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/dec/31/photojournalist-police-arrest-drone-complaints

Till next time

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3 Hours Later…..

So after a total of 2 hours 54 minutes on the phone to my local council,                 (who tried to be very helpful, but weren’t) i finally got hold of the right department.

Trying to inform the local authority that you are operating a UAS for recreational and commercial purposes was a nightmare. No one knew which department I should speak to; New Business, Licensing, Data Protections, Parks and Recreation. No one was sure.

Eventually, after a very helpful person literally went and asked every head of department she could find, put me in touch with Planning and Buildings, and it was the Council Land Department.

I informed Planning that i wanted to visit my local park and fly my new Phantom 2 a couple of times a week for an hour or so. Not for commercial purposes but to practice before my Flight Assessment in January.

The guy told me he had never had this request before, so could i put everything in writing.

• What i wanted to use the park for
• Why did i want to use this park
• What would i be flying
• For how long would i be flying, when and how often
• When would i likely be flying and for how long
• My personal details
• Any Insurance i had in place

Sufficed to say, i put it all together in an email and i will report and what they come back with.

On a side note, i will be looking to go and see my local authority as soon as i get my full licence to speak to them about the inevitable growth of UAS use in our area in the future, and their lack of preparation for when it comes!

Till then

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