Evening all.


Living in London isn't the best place to own a drone. Especially when you're practically under Heathrow's flight path. Whats the furthest out of London you'd need to go before you can get a decent flying area to gain air experience?


Thanks in advance.


Chris

It's hard, but this app from UK Air Traffic Control is fantastic, as it tells you exactly where you can and can't fly with regards to controlled airspace.
Otherwise, it's the usual:
50 metres bubble from people and buildings in rural areas
150 metres horizontally from any built up area.
Which means most large parks are okay, unless they have their own rules about 'controlling' a drone from within their grounds.

cheers

Ian in London

Wellsi Posted at 2018-4-13 13:55
It's hard, but this app from UK Air Traffic Control is fantastic, as it tells you exactly where you can and can't fly with regards to controlled airspace.
Otherwise, it's the usual:
50 metres bubble from people and buildings in rural areas

Useful information, thanks for sharing.

The U.Ks 'Drone Assist' is an excellent App' for displaying local information, it also shows low level hazards, pylons, buildings, radio masts etc.

Yeah, I use NATS drone Assist which also shows temporary NFZ's. A lovely spot that I occasionally fly around within the M25 is Trent Country Park near Cockfosters (last stop on the Piccadilly line). You can still see the Shard at 400' AGL despite being 10 miles north and it's several miles from any airports + no restrictions banning drones though as Ian said, stick to the CAA drone code. Go on 'school days' though as it get's busy on weekends/bank holidays.

If you're driving you can head outside of the M25 across to the county of Hertfordshire where there of thousands of safe places to fly.
Central London is an absolute NFZ mate - don't fly there or you'll be a court case waiting to happen...

A warmer looking one of the area

Yup its getting more restricted lately too. There are a number of new helicopter routes around and down the river Thames that mean we should stay well clear of these 'H' routes. H1 in particular as their a lot of traffic. Also be aware of the major hospitals that now have helipads as these are accessed at random times and from anywhere in a 360 degree arc depending on wind direction. While London is a challenge there are open spaces just outside the Class 'D' caution spaces. Sticking to the Drone Code and you'll be fine.