Flying Beyond VLOS - I Just Don't Care!

I am reported regularly to the CAA and the Police by self-appointed 'drone police' for flying beyond VLOS. This is because these useless trolls watch my videos and get outraged because I can fly my drones better than they can fly theirs. They can continue reporting me for flying beyond VLOs - I just don't care!

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PRODUCTS USED IN THIS VIDEO
► iPhone 12 Pro Max (to record the narration video)
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This video is a fictional dramatisation based on a true story and real events and was drawn from a variety of sources, including published materials and edited data. For dramatic and narrative purposes, the video contains fictionalised scenes, composite and representative characters and dialogue, and time compression. The views and opinions expressed in the video are those of the characters only and do not necessarily reflect or represent the views and opinions held by individuals on which those characters are based.

[frednorman]

I’ve always thought that VLOS was absurd. I lose sight of my drone after about 100 feet, so I always fly with well beyond VLOS. (I live in California.) I always check the territory make sure there are no powerlines and make sure there are no crop dusting airplanes nearby, but to say to have to fly under VLOS is absurd. I also have never had any encounters with the law or anybody reporting me. I go flying very early in the morning. And I avoid flying around people.

[Booce]

I've recently had a change of heart on VLOS rules. I'd never break AGL height restrictions but the horizontal distance regulations need some further consideration. Given how advanced these drones are now and (despite this video showing otherwise) how generally reliable the telemetry and video feeds are, I think that much more emphasis should be put on pilot assessment. I was up in the far north of Scotland a couple of weeks back at Black Loch doing some car camping and got the Air 2 S out. It would have been no risk to anyone or anything to fly that thing out till the signal got weak (which may or may not have been beyond VLOS in horizontal distance). The 500m rule in this location and example makes no sense. I think the rules need to be more risk assessment based which should be down to the pilot on the day in the location with whatever the conditions are. Of course, the pilot needs to have completed the relevant education courses and basic test so they know how to risk asses appropriately within the rules but I think we should be allowed to fly further (not higher) than currently in the right circumstances when there is no possible risk to others/property. Hopefully, the drone police are now all off checking my channel for breaches so they can report me too. Thanks for the views boys!

[EckieOutdoor]

Since 90% of my drone flights with the Mini 2 are being operated whilst sitting in my car, my VLOS is like: 2 meters and I couldn't care less either🤣 It's pathetic how law regislation is trying to get a grip on this subject.

[edwardsp]

I have tried to ensure I follow/abide to laws but recent experiences such as witnessing Police driving whilst on mobile phones and some MPs ignoring their own laws, I'm less likely to abide by rules unless there is a risk to others.

[CheeseheadMedia]

Your videos have convinced me that I need to visit Scotland one day. Absolutely stunning scenery and I thank you for sharing it with the world.

[waynewanderer]

spot on Robert, i went beyond VLOS the first time i flew a drone as a total beginner at my local rubgy pitch, the damned thing is only the size of a mans hand and grey in colour!!
ridiculous rule!!

[DMProductions]

The same drone police are the ones that ask you to do a range test 😂

[LISTEDGames]

bring bvlos! in an area like that I doubt there's any need for vlos, its in the middle of nowhere, same goes with a mountain. there's no planes flying next to a mountain, and if you crash your drone into a moutain then that's on you! vlos should be in the city, where people and cars and houses are around.

[BlairAir]

Ahh your a tricky one, my man... gotta watch you every second! I concur on VLOS/BLOS issues. One area I play completely by the rules is altitude- and I mean AGL, not MSL. I am a stickler on issues of altitude; a rule I have never even been tempted to wink at is altitude restrictions. Breaching restricted air space above our provided altitude. In the air above 400 feet. I have no authority. That's delegated to ATC, and because I am not in communication with ATC, I've no business in that airspace. As for the airspace I AM allowed in, that's another discussion entirely.

[goldfinger]

I bring along my wife as a spotter, she got eagle eyes, she never miss a thing.

[EnglishTurbines]

Teasing the Drone Police should become a National hobby....😀🤔😳🇬🇧

[BuildingByFaith]

500 m is bunk too. I can see mine fine well beyond that. People need to just sit back and relax. I believe in no harm, no foul.

[TOPCyber]

I always fly VLOS with my Mavic 3 Classic. It is longer visible than smaller drones so this is a big advantage. Here in Belgium the rules are also very strict and I abide by them. Most of my flights are in a congested area so keeping VLOS with my drone is of paramount importance. Thanks of the C1 label I can fly close to buildings and people but not over non involved people or crowds. I have an Open A1/A3 certificate.

[flyguy]

You have to wonder if the drone police have never ever broken the motorway speed limit? Or worked for cash? Or done 35 in a built up area. As far as VLOS goes, I don't think its important to be able to see your drone, as long as you can see where it is? Two entirely different things...

[robertalexander]

Got a beginner drone. Glad I've found you. Brilliant content and information on drones and laws. So much on our door step in scotland.

[sevenrats]

Where in Scotland are you? It's beautiful there. I was in Edinburgh last may and did some driving up through Glen Coe. It was a fun trip!

[VermontDroneAdventures-ywfc]

So glad I found your channel and love it! I haven't run into any Karens up in the hills of Vermont, yet but I'm sure they're out there lurking around. Heck, I can see my little dude over a mile away with a LED, during the day! I had one guy stop and ask me where it was. I pointed to the area and he kept saying I don't see it. So I came down right on top of him. Made him jump a bit. HA! Hope you're well and look forward to more! 😎

[FPVSteve]

The distances these drones can do are nothing compared to fixed wing - shit, there's a guy years ago who was flying between two Hawaiian islands using HD video over LTE (mobile data link) connection using a parrot wing. There are videos showing 3 figure distances from back in the day with the first OSDs and 1.2GHz video with EzUHF - noone died in the process and those were decidedly more "iffy" since they were high altitude BVLOS. Everyone knows the real fun with drones (and fixed wing) is low down and if you're in shielded operation or below 400ft there should be zero issue anyway even if you are a few miles away ... the rules should definitely change, been saying it for years.

[The_Macaroon]

This is fascinating, I had no idea people got involved at reporting this, what's wrong with people.

[TheTony]

Excellent Robert, i have metal detecting videos on my channel. i got a complaint from some trolls because i pointed to a find in the hole i dug with my middle finger. 🤣🤣🤣🤣👆👆