A drone of one's own: Reg buyers' guide for UAV fanciers Heard the hype and want to buy a drone — just uncertain which model to pick? Well, forget the hardware, the devil is in the software. Drones are cool, undeniably, but with prices starting at four pints of lager, and running to a small house it's tough to decide what's worth buying. So El Reg has been chatting to some drone …
While I agree with the sentiment of your post, it would be worth pointing out that the article author didn't say to ignore the rules or the insurance, only not to bother getting a licence.
Assuming that you had insurance, and were flying responsibly beyond all the required distances from people, buildings and "congested areas" I think it's highly unlikely you'll be prosecuted.
Unless of course something goes wrong and you crash and injure someone, but I doubt having the necessary CAA licence would make the slightest difference in that event, you would likely be prosecuted with similar results regardless.
As an aside, it would be eminently sensible for the rules (or lack there of) regarding the sale of drones to be changed, depending on what the CAA do with their new regulations on the matter.
It wouldn't seem unreasonable to me that you should have to prove, or at least complete a form stating, you hold the necessary licence before being allowed to buy one.
While ignorance of the law is never an excuse as such, the fact that you can walk into high street stores (Maplin did sell the DJI Phantoms) and buy one would not make the average buy think a licence or insurance are required, anymore so than they would be when buying a toy remote control car.
I recently bought a new car (of the normal road-going variety) and was unsurprisingly asked for my driving licence before being allowed to drive off in it, I'm not sure there's any law requiring that but if not there should be.
@Phil W - I may have been intemperate in my opposition; you are quite correct that the journalist only suggested ignoring the licence. I'd like to acknowledge that the other suggestions are all mine - though they are not suggestions, merely a list of things people might also choose to ignore.
I'm a paraglider pilot.
I'm *terrified* of these things. Too many are driven by people who either don't realise the potentially fatal result of bumping into them - they'll cut the lines I depend on, or at best tangle them; either results in wing deformation and loss of control. They're invisible; daft as it sounds it can be difficult to see another paraglider in the wrong place, and they're ten metres across and usually in bright high-contrast colours. They're capable of flying at high altitude, autonomously, and out of sight of the pilot (er, launcher? Handler? I dunno). They can't see me and take avoiding action; even if they're visible from the ground by their pilot it is notoriously difficult to judge course and distance - and if I'm close to the ground then I have extremely limited options; I'm probably either about to land or have just launched; both are dangerous and unstable phases of flight.
Over the years, model aircraft flyers (usually RC) and paragliders/hang glider pilots have negotiated agreements whereby they keep out of each other's airspace to reduce the risk of accidents - though the still occur occasionally. RC aircraft flyers are well aware of the issues and their managing body includes insurance and operates a structured training regime. But for some reason, these things are - as you point out - not seen in the same class; perhaps because you can pick them off the shelf in the high street (though you can do the same with a ready-to-fly electric RC plane) or perhaps because there is no publicity about it.
One thing to remember - the ANO has to be obeyed by all pilots - from commercial to GA to gliders to models. The rules are there to save the lives of the pilots (and passengers) and of the people they fly over.
So you are basically saying you have insufficient visibility and poor control of your paraglider so as not to be able to see or avoid obstacles in the sky. Why is it that you are allowed to fly them again? Lets regulate the unsafe vehicle in this scenario of yours, not the highly accurately positioned and stable one!
There's a reason steam gives way to sail, and it's nothing to do with the inability of the drivers thereof.
You *can not* stop a glider in mid-flight; you *can not* turn on a sixpence; and while I *can* land on a metre target most times, on a final glide you *can not* make unplanned changes in speed or direction without potentially unfortunate consequences.
Don't forget the paraglider is not just the pilot and the wing; there's a few hundred metres of finest line between the two in a ten metre fan.
(I have had exactly one mid-air collision - that was with a pheasant which came out of cover as I launched. It's about the size and weight of a small quad, I'd guess - I know it was bloody painful!)
Most warplanes downed never saw what was knocking them out of the sky, and in the past few decades most of them had on-board radar as well of years of training to look out for the bogeys.
Even something as big as a MiG-21 is surprisingly hard to spot if it's pointing at you - what chance a tiny 'copter?
"So you are basically saying you have insufficient visibility and poor control of your paraglider so as not to be able to see or avoid obstacles in the sky. Why is it that you are allowed to fly them again? Lets regulate the unsafe vehicle in this scenario of yours, not the highly accurately positioned and stable one"
Air traffic on a collision course is static against the background. A 9 meter long glider, on a perpendicular but intersecting course, at 1000 meters distance (time to impact: 36 seconds) is only a tiny white blip of optically maybe a millimeter big. At 200 meters (time to impact: 7.2 seconds) that is STILL only a few millimeters. What hope in hell do I, as a glider pilot, have of spotting a slender framed drone against a busy background, which appears to be stationary? Paragliders have it a "little" easier, because of lower speeds. But the same thing applies basically. Drones (and birds btw) are often nearly invisible until you are right on top of them. Birds usually have the wit to get out of the way. Drones do not. That "Highly accurately positioned and stable" is exactly the problem most pilots have with drones. The one who decides that position often doesn't have a bloody clue WHERE he is actually positioning the thing in relation to other air traffic and doesn't get it out of the way if there IS such traffic. Any drone flight would be classed as VFR traffic, meaning see-and-avoid rules apply. By definition, FPV and autonomous drone operators are bad airman as they cannot avoid other traffic the same way "normal, ass in cockpit seat" pilots do.
"They're invisible; daft as it sounds it can be difficult to see another paraglider in the wrong place"
After thousands of years of evolution on the savannas of Africa we have exhibit one, the human optical system. Something moving is immediately visible, say the lion running in against the grass. If there is no movement against the background we are apt to ignore what is in our field of view - no danger. An object that is going to collide with you is static against the background* (draw it on graph paper).
A para glider and drone, or two cars and a cross road, or a lion and lunch, are just experimental proof of the limitations of human eyesight.
* Assuming relatively constant velocity - a given in most circumstances.
Note: the licence is only required for 'air work' - commercial work using an aircraft. The general model flier's insurance would cover normal use... provided that you're a member of the association and obey their rules. You don't need a licence to fly a quad; you do need to follow the rules.
The current small gyro stabilised quadcopters (e.g. the Hubsan X4) can be flown by complete novices. These are R/C models - not drones so no GPS but the stabilisation is carried out by the quadcopter not the pilot so they are easy to fly. They are also cheap (at under £60) so if a kid does break one it is not the expensive disaster that would be with a high end model at over £1000.
Do not let a kid loose on a big quadcopter until they are good with one of the small models.
Second that.
The little Hubsan (non camera experience only) is fantastic for teaching things like orientation coordination and the general physics of a quad. If you can fly one to the extremes of it's control range you will either have eyes of a hawk or develop the ability to recognise orientation by flight path, something that could save your bacon in a "fancy quad" GPS failure. When you crash (even convincingly) it's inexpensive to replace bits so you can get on learning straight away. They look like a toy but what is learnt translates well to bigger devices, even other types of vehicle. I had an X4 then got a RC plane, result few problem with controls being reversed or gusts of wind as that is taught at the £30 quad level. If you are one of the many who buy a Phantom at least try Heli-X with the wind set to blow and gusty, to learn control it in the real world well before taking a flying (plastic blade) blender to your mates wedding.
Strongly agree re the X4 (about £40 from Amazon with spares). I was thinking of buying a Phantom but decided to learn on this. Over the summer I flew it in the grounds of a villa in the Italian countryside & got some grainy but wonderful videos. Took me about 5 flying hours to get reasonably competent (in the process chewing up about 20 propellers). I learned the physics of quad flying, the tricks for staying within a predefined area, and how to carry out picture shoots from afar - all skills needed with an all bells and whistles Phantom.
For software, I'm suprised the article doesn't mention ArduPilot (and developments thereof) given LOHAN.
I put together a hexacopter from various chinese bits and pieces for less than £200, loaded up Ardupilot, and now have a fully autonomous (automatic take off and landing) UAV.
I generally use it to take panoramic photographs by allowing it to take off straight up, hover at 50m or 100m, point at 8 compass points for 15 seconds each, and then land. I use a compact camera on auto (using CHDK). Works pretty well.
More complex flight patterns work fine but the simpler they are the easier it is to avoid flyaways.
This one can also be pre-programmed without carrying a laptop into the field.
No licence yet though - volunteering 'for amusement only'. I do adhere to the flight rules - insurance won't cover stupidity.
**much soldering and manual reading required**
http://www.amazon.co.uk/HUBSAN-X4-H107-Quadcopter-LEDs/dp/B009M1PO7W
£27 without video recording
These will make you a better pilot for your fancy drone than anyone who goes straight to a self hovering, self levelling, gps laden 'proper' quadcopter as you have to understand six axis flight controls without the machine helping you.
I've been flying quads - big and small, off teh shelf and made from scratch for about 3 years now.
The X4 is indeed a great little item. And I have a few of them (I also fly the big boys).
But I'd recommend you get one of these babies.
1. it's only 18 quid inc postage (mine took about 10 days to arrive)
2. they have 'headless mode' (like the big boys have)
3. it has rubber feet and a better design than tha hubsan protecting the frame and motors from damage even when smashed into ground repeately.
4. it comes with prop guards making it pretty much indestructable (so far anyway!)
headless mode basically means it has a built in compass - so when you activate it pushing forward on the stick for example will always make the quad fly forward by the direction it was originally pointing in when activated (and usually it would be the way you are facing).
so even if the quad rotates/yaws around, forward is still forward. i.e. you don't need to try and keep it pointing away from you and/or learn to fly it coming towards you in reverse, etc.
Plus, it is more stable that the X4 - I've been flying mine all week in my hotel room - it's fecking awesome - in headless mode you can chuck it around the sky like a mentalist.
http://www.hobbywow.com/en-copy-of-cg022-6-axis-led-headless-mode-mini-rc-quadcopter-rtf-2-4ghz-p237632.htm#
I went for the slightly more expensive Ares QX 130 at £65 on Amazon (Cheaper elsewhere).
It has pretty good stability even in light wind - as well as a great range of accessories available (from bubble blower to grappling hook as well as a 60fps camera)
Batteries are nice and cheap as well - around £4-6 on ebay with a flight time of around 10 mins each.
Seems to be an assumption that the only reason to fly a multi rotor is to take photos and make use of GPS functionality all the time.
I have a fat quad (450mm DJI) with Ardupilot, GPS et al and simply don't fly it, all my time is spent on a little 250mm machine with a £19 flight controller (Acro Naze) with expensive motors it was still sub £200, with cheaper motors it would be under £140.
Why prefer the simple machine, because I actually have to fly the thing rather than having the flight controller doing all the work (the quad copter equivalent of script kiddies), though the fact that hitting a rugby post at 30+ mph and the repair costing less than £2 may also have it's appeal ;)
I suspect activities such as the following may point to why multirotors appeal to people (more than simply ambling around under computer control anyway)
hxxps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYtw17i_CXU&list=UUkous_8XKjZkKiK5Qe13BXw
hxxps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XE2SKxKVX18&list=UU_ln1TA-w4bahRI7yN0TcJA
The Hubsan x4 is a fine trainer for anybody considering a larger machine, and a Blade Nano QX is an even better choice and are excellent in their own right as indoor entertainment.
Couldn't agree more. As much as I love my tricked out Phantom and its capabilities, my Hubsan gets many hours more use day to day.
The Phantom only comes out on special occasions, when I can really be bothered - it feels more like work, more of a chore.
"...with prices starting at four pints of lager, and running to a small house..."
Oi El Reg, care to clarify your units? Are we talking London prices for lager or "oop North" prices (my mistake, lager is a Southern-softies drink)? Premium lager or nats-p*ss lager?
And as to "small house"... that will be about £gazillion if we're talking London, and £3.57 for a cardboard box in the North.
This seems like a bit of an odd guide - it doesn't really say a great deal. I own and fly a drone so a buyer's guide is not something I'd find useful myself but where are the comparisons of flight controllers or the difference between radios? Where are some example airframes?
Despite some of the bad press that drones have garnered (whether it be because of paranoid journalists or idiot pilots ignoring not just the law but common sense as well) they are really quite fascinating. My aged neighbour loves coming out to watch the drone flying and is enthralled by it, as are my neighbours on the other side. My neighbour's son was fascinated when I explained to him the workings and so on.
To me, my drone combines my love of photography, kit building, radio-controlled models and technology in general. As a disabled person who has limited physical ability a drone gives me a compelling hobby, a great conversation starter and who knows - maybe an avenue to support myself financially in the future?
Although there is clearly a risk of drones being used carelessly the same could be said for a swathe of hobbyist items. I honestly and sincerely hope that their responsible use will become more commonplace in the future.
You were doing so well until the general advice too.
The CAA aren't planning to change the rules. You do need a license to carry out any commercial work. You won't be able to get any valid insurance without one and you will be fined if the CAA catch up with you.
Don't rush to update your software until it's tested out as fine. It's the same as with any tech, first adopters often suffer but in this instance it usually means re-acquainting yourself with the laws of gravity.
Another vote for the Hubsan X4 btw
Yup - ignore knowing you are in restricted airspace or within 1 mile of a nuclear reactor. Or that, when you drop the copter on the M4, you'll be politely asked about your insurance.
Whatever you do, definitely don't make sure you know how to operate a flying lawnmower safely and how to pilot it when all your electronic aids go tits up due to some bozo operating a WiFi repeater at 1000watts.
Most of all, don't worry about the 400ft legal restriction the CAA slap on all UAVs or SUSA (to give them the official designator). Why would you want to be concerned about smacking your craft into an aircraft ... what's the worst that can happen eh.
BTW Sir .. did you know you are flying in an area with a NOTAM on it? Those men in black suits want to have a word as you flew your craft in a very sensitive area and they really don't have a sense of humour ....
And no, the CAA are not about to lift the restrictions on commercial SUSA use (though they are looking to be a bit more sensible when your craft is under 7Kg).
Aircraft can fly lower than 400 feet... I can fly 5 feet above the ground if I want. provided I do not fly within 500 feet of any person/building/structure.
As a paramotor pilot I regularly fly much much lower than 400 feet.
the 400 ft limit - just for CAP 722 UAS is a weird one and has really more to do with the history of UAs than now.
Arguably, provided your quadcopter cannot fly autonomously, and you do not fly 'remotely' - i.e. via FPV - then it is simply a regular old RC plane. And therefore covered entirely by CAP 393 - no specific height limit - you are covered by CAP 393 'visual range' - and it is left to you to interpret that appropriately based on conditions, weather, aircraft type, eyesight, etc, etc.
I nearly fell off a set of ladders whilst painting my father's bungalow's eves as an A10 warthog flew so low, the sudden noise overhead making me duck. The A10 only just missed the tops of nearby trees. I could see the pilots face it was that low. Certainly lower than 400ft!
Mind you, if he'd seen a drone in his path I'm sure a quick flick on the fire-button of the 30mm cannon would have sorted the problem out!
FPV does yes - and if FPV then you are under 722 for sure - therefore 400 feet maximum.
But as I say, still not safe from colliding with 'real' aircraft was my point.
If you are not flying in an autonomous mode, and not flying 'remotely' (which I interpret as FPV), then I interpret 722 as not applying at all -since it only applies to 'UAS's which are defined as
-remoted piloted or autonomous aircraft.
FPV org has a similar view to me:
http://www.fpvuk.org/fpv-law/
So you have 393 to adhere too. So you've got to stay 50m away from other people.
But if you have eyes like a hawk and want to fly up to 2500 feet (which i did a few weeks ago) with your quadcopter - provided you DONT fly FPV, and DONT let it fly autonomously, this is within the law of CAP393 I believe since CAP393 specifies no maximum AGL - simply that the operator must be able to clearly be able to see the aircraft 'visual line of sight' to control it.
I mean, yer not gonna make a habit of it probably - so just an anal point really.
The main thing is dispelling this 'you don't need to worry about aircraft below 400 feet' rumour.
Also stating the obvious - that you are subject to exactly the same airlaw as any other aircraft - and therefore if you live in an area which has no CLASS G airspace, then I believe you will be breaking the law flying ? i.e. this would include london in it's entirety.
In fifteen minutes, you could save fifteen percent in your UAV insurance at Geico...er...what ?
Seriously, what is the point ? If you want to learn to fly, LEARN TO FLY. In a real plane or helicopter. Quit fiddling about with your RC this, and your UAV that, and get up there. You would always tie helium weather balloons to a lawn chair, if you're on a budget (don't forget to tether it to the ground). If you have the money, put away the toys, and get up there !
What's your point? I have learned to fly. I have aviated in gliders, parapents, light aircraft, helicopters, balloons and parachutes. I have hang gliders still on my list, although you won't get me in a microlight. But until I win Lotto and get a Martin Jetpack, there's not a lot else that can fill that microflying niche.
Now I'm interested in UAVs. These have many advantages not available to other more traditional aircraft- for example giving you the chance to melt the front of your camera up close and personal in Icelandic volcanoes. And not even a Martin Jetpack can help you do that.
Please dont accept what the guy says in this artical about ignoring the law.
When i was flying as a hobbyist i intially created a facebook page to share my aerial images. Like anyone would.. whilst on holiday i took some photos of a beach in cornwall.
Within a week i had a letter from the CAA stating i should take down my page and explain myself otherwise i would be faced with a 25k fine.. <- unbeknown to me my photos had been shared by a cornwall holiday page and a commercial operator was not happy .. after spenking over 3k myself on getting commercially certified now i can understand why..
Luckily for me, my own saving grace was i was already studing for my commercial course, i had my flight logs and had operated to the flight guidelines..
From someone with experince do not ignore the guidelines and the law.. the bollox about the CAA changing regulations anyways... yes they are changing.. they will be in the up coming months restricting SUAV operators further in congeted areas with stricter guidelines even further because someone with a phantom crashed here or crashed there...
Not only that i am told next year the CAA will have a team to target rogue operators
Hobbyiest who dont fly responisblly cause major issues for us who fly commercially..
If you go to film a friends wedding the 1st hiccup you will have is you need permission from the council and the church to operate.. they will want to see your qualifications and insurance... you can get SUAV public liability without qualifications... even if you do it for free.. the vicar wont want a phantom wrapped round the spire of the church , or it going through the stained glass window...
Read the guidelines from the CAA...
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?CATID=1995
http://www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=1995&pageid=16006
"Essentially, the person controlling a small UAS is fully responsible for the safe operation of any flight, but it is important to consider whether a permission (not a licence) from the CAA is needed.
You must request permission from the CAA if you plan to:
•fly the aircraft on a commercial basis (i.e. conducting ‘aerial work’)
or
•fly a camera/surveillance fitted aircraft within congested areas or closer (than the distances listed within Article 167) to people or properties (vehicles, vessels or structures) that are not under your control
Permission is not required if:
•the aircraft will not be flown close to people or properties, and you will not get ‘valuable consideration’ (i.e. payment) from the flight, then a permission is not needed;
Permission is also not required for ‘practice’ or demonstration flights. However, the other requirements of Articles 166 and 167 must still be complied with, and it must also be ensured that no one is endangered while flying the aircraft.
The regulations are intended to protect people and / or properties that are not involved in the activity. They are also aimed at being as ‘light touch’ and proportionate as possible, so there is a great deal that can be done (especially for private or recreational flights) without the need to approach the CAA at all"
Just my 2 pence worth
www.no-bounds.co.uk
www.facebook.com/noboundsuk
Any author who dares proclaim the license should be ignored "Because it will change anyway" needs a serious bollocking from his editor! Not a published article.
IF the rules for licensing will change, it'll only be for the worse, with stricter regulations. Simply BECAUSE of all the numbnuts out there flying unlicensed in stupid areas. And quite frankly, speaking as a glider pilot, it damn well should be! I have a piece of paper that shows I know airspace structures, aeronautical navigation and traffic avoidance rules among other things. I'd expect anyone sharing my airspace to either do so in a specified area, so I can avoid them, or know those same things, so they can avoid me.
If you are going to be operating ANYTHING (quad, helicopter, plane) above treetop level, outside of designated model flying clubs/fields, you best purchase one of these: http://shop.flybubble.co.uk/caa-uk-vfr-air-charts-1-250-000 and bloody well know how to read it. If you can't understand that chart, you have no reason operating any air vehicle in any non-designated-safe-for-RC--model-flying airspace.
solely on your quad.
If you want to dick around with a quadcopter some time, I'd also recommend the Syma X1 quadcopter. Comes complete with all the bits needed to fly, spares are plentyful and it can take a serious beating. (Hitting concrete, upside down, falling from 40 feet is not a problem I can attest). The flightcontroller is only 3 axis stabilised and a little over cautious at times, but it's good fun. And it's small enough to zip about the living room, scaring the daylight out of the cats.
As for learning to fly one, the author has it wrong, if you can turn OFF all stabilisation and help from the flightcontroller and learn to fly it like that. It's just no fun any other way. Plus, you'll still be able to fly it if you screw up your PID settings and take off a litte over-eager. Just flick the stabilisation off and land.
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