Hi All,

I'm due a little trip to the Lake District this weekend for some fell walking.  

One of my plans is once on top of a fell, to crack out the Spark and get a droney/circle of me on top.  

My Q is, the uk drone code says max height 400feet or 120metres.  Is this from the ground (ie top of the fell) or is this from sea level??  I can't find this info on the CAA site.  

Hope someone can help.  

Thanks in advance.

it's from the ground

Hi, it's from the ground. Thanks!

50m from people, vehicles and buildings not in your control - though you can fly over these if 165' - 400' above providing it's not congested
150m from congested areas (horizontal and vertical) - this includes built up residential areas, busy public roads, land marks, stadiums, open air concerts etc
Several miles from airports, military bases, power plants  
Outside NFZ's
MAX 400' above ground level (AGL)
Maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) at all times, not exceeding 500m horizontally from the operator
Permission to take off/land from the homepoint i.e. no restricted public access locations prohibiting drones or private property without the owners permission

Thanks all, hopefully the weather is on my side now

It will be the wind that will be the biggest issue. There’s few fells I’ve been at the top of where the spark would have coped. I had the same idea and since I’ve got it, I’ve never been able to fly anywhere except the valleys.

Nixtoo Posted at 2018-4-4 04:46
It will be the wind that will be the biggest issue. There’s few fells I’ve been at the top of where the spark would have coped. I had the same idea and since I’ve got it, I’ve never been able to fly anywhere except the valleys.

I completely agree. Get a mountain top weather forecast before you set off. It will save you the effort of taking your drone up there.  Also the Lake District is used for low level RAF training so fast jets will be a problem for you if you do not pay attention. On more than one occasion they have been below me when I was on a fell. Take care and just enjoy the walk.

A CW Posted at 2018-4-4 01:09
50m from people, vehicles and buildings not in your control - though you can fly over these if 165' - 400' above providing it's not congested
150m from congested areas (horizontal and vertical) - this includes built up residential areas, busy public roads, land marks, stadiums, open air concerts etc
Several miles from airports, military bases, power plants  

Looks like you know your stuff

Montfrooij Posted at 2018-4-4 05:17
Looks like you know your stuff

You need to mate - I for one don't want to end up in a court room being fined thousands of pounds + new legislation is being passed in parliament later this year to increase punishments - including making the flight of UAV's near airports to be investigated under the terrorism act.
You can already get five years in the slammer for placing manned aircraft at risk as it is...  

http://www.noflydrones.co.uk
I think this a good site for finding the NFZ and planning a flight, they seem to use the low flight charts.

JMR58 Posted at 2018-4-4 08:44
http://www.noflydrones.co.uk
I think this a good site for finding the NFZ and planning a flight, they seem to use the low flight charts.

NATS drone assist is a great app for UK NFZ's and approved by the CAA

A CW Posted at 2018-4-4 10:03
NATS drone assist is a great app for UK NFZ's and approved by the CAA

Thanks!, i will give it a try!

JMR58 Posted at 2018-4-4 10:49
Thanks!, i will give it a try!

Just make sure to turn off 'upper airspace' in the options within the app - I had it on today by accident and the whole of Southeast England was a temporary NFZ - nearly had a heart attack - turned it off and all back to normal LOL. Upper airspace is for manned aircraft only.  

A CW Posted at 2018-4-4 07:31
You need to mate - I for one don't want to end up in a court room being fined thousands of pounds + new legislation is being passed in parliament later this year to increase punishments - including making the flight of UAV's near airports to be investigated under the terrorism act.
You can already get five years in the slammer for placing manned aircraft at risk as it is...

Very true.
   

A CW Posted at 2018-4-4 10:51
Just make sure to turn off 'upper airspace' in the options within the app - I had it on today by accident and the whole of Southeast England was a temporary NFZ - nearly had a heart attack - turned it off and all back to normal LOL. Upper airspace is for manned aircraft only.

Got it .
Looking forward to my coming UK holidays

The distance from the ground (take off point).  Good luck and don't forget to share a few pics.  Cheers

JMR58 Posted at 2018-4-5 04:47
Got it .
Looking forward to my coming UK holidays

Enjoy your trip!   

embayweather Posted at 2018-4-4 04:55
I completely agree. Get a mountain top weather forecast before you set off. It will save you the effort of taking your drone up there.  Also the Lake District is used for low level RAF training so fast jets will be a problem for you if you do not pay attention. On more than one occasion they have been below me when I was on a fell. Take care and just enjoy the walk.

I agree, too.  
I just came across the APP, UAV Forecast.  Very comprehensive and you can enter a location into the search field.  Not sure how it will work with a non-address location, but it's a free App ( for a 24 hour prediction range ) and worth trying out.  Share here if you find it beneficial.

PS.... Forgot to mention.  It includes a factor for something called the KP index.  Has to do with a level of solar interference on radio waves/GPS.