Is it me or is it getting harder and harder to fly a drone in the UK?

I recently visited Carding Mill Valley and prior to going I checked their website and contacted them regarding taking my drone. Unfortunately they finally replied after I'd visited and subsequently didn't take the drone with me. Their reply wasn't much help anyway as they advised me to contact someone else.

I'm now on my way to visit the Peak District. Again I'm facing the same dilemma. My email regarding drone usage has been responded to with a "speak to someone else" response.

It's quite frustrating when you look online and see other people showing drone footage of these lovely bits of British Countryside. What does everyone else do when it comes to taking their drone with them? The areas aren't listed as no fly zones and as long as we follow the drone code we should be able to use them.

I always check to see what residential/business structures are round my fly area, measure the distance if there is any and try my best to keep legal. I have done ladybower, Derwent water and a few reservoirs round sheffield. When people come up to me and ask what I'm doing - educate them and show them the view from above. More often than not they are amazed as most people don't understand what they are apart from whats on the news. Download UAV Forcast as this has weather for the day and shows a map of any potential no-fly zones by DJI and by the CAA. Hope this helps. Planning is key before you go out my friend.

I thought all of the Peak District park was a no fly zone?

looks ok according to

no fly drones

I'm in Northern Ireland, and went flying around Scrabo Tower near Newtownards on Sunday night.

It's within the 2 mile boundary of the Ards airport and the Ulster Flying Club, but I made sure to visit the club in the evening, and confirm there was no traffic, take offs or landings.

The flying club manager was there -  thanked me for checking, and it was appreciated - followed by go enjoy myself.


Good to see that not everyone is anti-drone.

i fly to the drone code and get some good pictures one thing you get told no to flying in some places that you can fly in by people that don't know

Rigger73 Posted at 2017-7-25 03:47
I'm in Northern Ireland, and went flying around Scrabo Tower near Newtownards on Sunday night.

It's within the 2 mile boundary of the Ards airport and the Ulster Flying Club, but I made sure to visit the club in the evening, and confirm there was no traffic, take offs or landings.

Good advice. Thanks.

I'd love to fly my drone at the Giant's Causeway, but the National Trust have a blanket ban on flying drones on their land - and the Giant's Causeway is a considerable bit of land.

They are covering their arris, by stating they are protecting privacy.  Balls.

When I fly a drone - I don't want people in the image - I want to film the landscape.


I've even had people waiting in shot, when Ive been shooting wth the DSLR because they thought I was a Pro-Photographer - and they might get in a magazine.
It's a bit of a let down, when you ask them why they keep looking and smiling at the camera.  All you want is the shot - not some wannabe in your frame.

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I'm sorry!  That is so frustrating.

And you are being responsible and trying to do the right thing.  Sucks

Nixtoo Posted at 2017-6-28 11:25
I thought all of the Peak District park was a no fly zone?

The Peak District NP is a joke. It’s the most badly run National Park. Why? Because crappy farmers pull the strings and 90% of the members are useless. Common sense!

A quick poll. How many responders to this thread have been in trouble when they were flying responsibly. .

Nowtleft Posted at 11-24 12:48
The Peak District NP is a joke. It’s the most badly run National Park. Why? Because crappy farmers pull the strings and 90% of the members are useless. Common sense!

PS the only droning in the OPDNP is at the members meetings! I’m one of the few who beat a crappy farmer over making a mess of a farm in the NP. That went down well in the local area(!,, The PDNPA we’re on my side but you’d have wondered if you didn’t know.

Look the drone laws are stupid. Fly with common sense and courtesy abiding the sensible rules and enjoy yourselves. Driving to your fly site is FAR more dangerous than flying your drone. Cars aren’t banned are they?

I just check the NFZ information for a location,  never ask permission from a land owner as they dont own the air.