Yes you CAN fly FPV in the UK, I was wrong

The rule surrounding the flying of RC planes an drones in the UK are, IMHO, a dog's breakfast and this kind of proves it. On the one hand (in CAP722) the rules state you must always maintain visual line of sight with your RC rc plane or drone -- but then they issued an exemption that contradicts that edict. Seriously?

And how can it be that to qualify for the exemption you must always have a spotter when flying FPV but in CAP722 the CAA openly acknowledges that you will _hear_ an approaching aircraft before you (or your spotter) can see it?

Yes, a dog's breakfast!

[MadRC]

While yes you have been told correctly there is still an issue, where can you fly that FPV as ORS4No1294 allows you to fly FPV but it does not say where, and as I read it you still need to be a member of a club to be able to fly as that does not give permission to fly in the Specific Category like the clubs have. currently model RC does not fit into Open and to fly in specific you need a permission, technically they are saying its Class C4 however anything with Betaflight, Ardupilot or Inav would not comply.

[Reman]

In the UK you actually need the spotter to keep watch for the Daily Mail reading Karens that come storming up and try and physically attack the pilot !

[mazzugara]

You get penalised for abiding to the law in the uk.

[changeagent]

Unfortunately the spotter rule is crucial in fracturing the hobby. The lone FPV flyer is the core group. The pleasure of knowing all you need is yourself and your kit to go out and be free. To break this means giving up altogether for so many and they know this.

[jroar]

The FAA in the states are requiring a license to fly under certain conditions. Our rules keep changing and sometimes are ridiculous. The FAA have taken people to court for violating rules totally confusing. One Judge found for the pilot explaining to the prosecuting side that they wanted him to throw someone in jail for a toy. The Judge ended up throwing the case out.

[chopperharly]

Flew fpv today B.M.F.A. member only, in the middle of a field U.K. no people, no spotter, no real planes, no problem.
But keep your eye on those fascists CAA making the rules

[barriewilliams]

Rules are there to be broken, especially bad ones 😁

[ianwhiting]

I think the UK CAA have been taking lessons from those super intelligent beings that are coming up with the COVID-19rules.

[simonh]

I think you're perhaps a little confused. In the UK we photographers have "freedom of panorama" set in law and it is well established in case law that, while in public spaces, individuals can have no expectation of privacy. It actually goes even further and if you can be seen from a public space, even in a private space, your rights to privacy are not impacted. The CAA, in case you're unaware, cannot infringe upon statutory rights including the rights of photographers. Is your face, while in a public space, personal data? Not for the purpose of UK law, no.

A lot of people labour under the false belief that the European "GDPR" regulations that were ratified into UK law some time ago introduced restrictions on collecting personal data. Not so, really. In fact, GDPR is primarily about securely storing and handling personal data. To the extent that GDPR connects with the act of photography in a public space, I would contest that it is nebulous at most, if at all.

[SpeccyMan]

Shambolic is the operative word. The major flaw in the U.K. rules is the total lack of any use of common sense when drawing up those rules. I am seriously considering not renewing my operator ID when the time comes. I'm sick of the whole charade.

[akirasho]

Thanks for reminding of all the times it will be appropriate to use the phrase "A Dog's Breakfast" when discussing drone laws in the US.

[Rich-TeaFPV]

If you are a member of BMFA, FPVUK, etc. you have additional freedoms like flying within 30m of uninvolved people, flying over 250g quads at parks, flying without a spotter while racing and other things, which means you should be able to continue flying as you can now. This comes under ‘Article 16 Authorisation’ . Also you can join the BMFA or FPVUK without joining a local club or flying with anyone else.

[Mr]

i fly a few miles from a glideing club in 4 years never had a problem with anyone public or planes but most fpv pilots mostly stay low anyway so i dont get the problem and when i fly i cant expect a mate to spot for me every time i fly witch in summer is every evening i see dog walkers etc long before they see me youve just got to stay on your toes and just be sensable about it great vid bruce

[fubarfpv]

Spotter is to look for Karens and the popo

[steverpcb]

The reason for the UK FPV spotter is to maintain line of sight with the model ! The other option considered was fpv via buddy box with the "pilot in control" maintaining un aided line of site with the model and passing actual control to the fpv pilot on the slave tx.

[theshadow]

The spotter is to keep an eye out for silent obstacles such as people appearing in the flight area

[MagicFPV]

Seems great to me! They’ve acknowledged us and given us permission under what seem like reasonable circumstances. People love FPV in the UK 🇬🇧😁😎

[MCsCreations]

What a mess! 🙄
How come that bureaucrats can't make a simple and comprehensive bureaucracy? WTH!
Happy new year, Bruce! And stay safe and flying there! 🖖😊

[gmivisualsjason]

I wish I had two Legal knowledge and Money to fight these regulations!
Carrying a camera on a drone should not be a crime irrespective of its weight! (If not registered)
The crime should be flying over areas where flight is not permitted!

Because of people's concerns drones should not allowed to fly over urban areas.
Parks and countryside only no registration. Cameras allowed
In parks yes limit the size and weight/speed of drones permitted. Plus height restriction.

In the countryside allow for the larger drones with minimum distances to people and height restrictions.

No registration.

[stewartdavis]

I think we should be much more afraid of the anti Droners than the CAA ?? I live in a small fishing town and was talking to someone down at the beach about me flying a drone, and the guy almost went mental with his castigation !!!