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UK Revises Safe Flying Drone Code (bbc.com)

Posted by msmash on from the clearing-things dept.

The UK's drone code has been revised and updated to help pilots of the unmanned craft ensure they fly the gadgets safely. From a BBC report: The revised code turns the five main safety tips into a mnemonic, spelling drone, to make it easier to remember. (1) Don't fly near airports or airfields. (2) Remember to stay below 120m (400ft) and at least 50m (150ft) away from people. (3) Observe your drone at all times. (4). Never fly near aircraft. (5) Enjoy responsibly. "Drones are an incredible, inspiring technology but it's vital that people are using them safely," said Andrew Sage from air traffic control body NATS in a statement. "With the number of reported drone incidents on the rise, it's important that people understand their legal obligations and fly safe," he said.

19 of 32 comments (clear)

  1. 50 meter = 0 meter sigh by emj · · Score: 1

    So as long as I fly 50 meters up I can fly anywhere? Because if everyone has a 50 meter diameter cylinder around them it's going to be really difficult.

    1. Re:50 meter = 0 meter sigh by Tx · · Score: 2

      Nope. If you look at the website, it shows 150m lateral stand-off from "Crowds and built up areas", with no vertical limit, i.e. do not overfly crowds and built up areas at any height. The 50m exclusion is for small numbers of people/properties away from built up areas. So if you're flying out in the country, you can fly over some people or a property so long as you're above 50m.

      Now what exactly is the definition of "built up area" I'm not sure, because those definitions could be taken to mean "don't fly in a city, full stop", which would be a bit of a pain. That doesn't seem to be clearly defined.

      --
      Oh no... it's the future.
  2. Missing tip by TheDarkMaster · · Score: 2

    Do not shoot missiles at people, homes or other drones. Except if the other shoot first

    --
    Religion: The greatest weapon of mass destruction of all time
  3. OK, makes a lot of sense... by marcle · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't Remember Observe Never Enjoy. That will definitely help me remember those rules.

    1. Re:OK, makes a lot of sense... by ColdWetDog · · Score: 1

      The best thing about mnemonics is that there are so many to chose from.

      Mean Very Evil Men Just Shortened Up Nature[1]
      Mary's "Virgin" Explanation Made Joseph Suspect Upstairs Neighbour
      Many Very Educated Men Justify Stealing Unique Ninth
      My Very Educated Mother Just Served Us Nachos
      What The Fuck Does This Stand For

      Memory aids, indeed.

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    2. Re:OK, makes a lot of sense... by ColdWetDog · · Score: 1

      And where the hell did 'mn' come out of? Who did English steal that particular spelling atrocity from?

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    3. Re: OK, makes a lot of sense... by LordNightwalker · · Score: 1

      I think that was the first thing anyone with common sense thought when reading it. I half wonder about the people who came up with this though, must be so demotivating for the couple of "bright" folks in the room when it was announced that the votes had been cast and this was the winning entry...

      --
      Install windows on my workstation? You crazy? Got any idea how much I paid for the damn thing?
  4. Fixed that for you... by technophebe · · Score: 2

    How about a mnemonic that helps you to remember the *relevant* words:

    stay away from People
    stay away from Aircraft/ports
    be Responsible
    Observe your drone at all times
    stay Lower than 120m
    Enjoy yourself

    PAROLE

    1. Re:Fixed that for you... by ColdWetDog · · Score: 1

      I like this better:

      ICANTHEARYOU

      (No, I don't know what it's supposed to stand for. That is left as an exercise to the reader.)

      --
      Faster! Faster! Faster would be better!
    2. Re:Fixed that for you... by BlueStrat · · Score: 1

      DRONE

      Don't obey any rules or laws.

      Recklessly endanger the public.

      Obnoxiously 'buzz' police and emergency responders.

      Never fly a drone where you can observe it or people may observe you..

      Explosives are also fun, attach bombs to your drones.

      (Naturally, the above is purely in jest.)

      Strat

      --
      Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
    3. Re:Fixed that for you... by BlueStrat · · Score: 1

      Be easy on him.

      He's still triggered and in his safe space with his comfort-dog. Facts are micro-aggressions, you CIS-male predator! :P

      Strat

      --
      Progressivism (aka US 'Liberalism'): Ideas so good they need a police/surveillance-state to enforce.
  5. Just to be sure. by houghi · · Score: 1

    Just to be sure: It is still possible to do a automatic flyover of Heathrow at 5000 feet following an Airbus 380 all while I am asleep, right?

    --
    Don't fight for your country, if your country does not fight for you.
  6. Re:UK revises bullshit by ledow · · Score: 1

    What bullshit about not flying drones near people or airports?

    The rules have been there for years for a reason.

    A drone on the head will complete make a mess of your face, blades spinning or not. And that can happen whether its in your control, just failed or is going loopy because of a faulty component or low battery. These things can get up to 30mph or more horizontally, what do you think they can do in a crap operator's hands in a park full of kids?

    A drone hitting a light aircraft coming into land can easily damage a propeller or damage a wing worth tens of thousands, not to mention interfere with control surfaces. Factor out to helicopters and you can bring the aircraft down. They only fly that low near airports and airstrips, otherwise you're way out of their danger zone anyway.

    A drone hovering over your back yard and peering into your private dwelling with it's HD camera is likely to cause you offence, no?

    A drone hitting a pylon or telephone line can bring down comms or power for a town.

    Don't fly these things near people, houses, or airports. Don't take your eyes off it as you're then not in control.

    How hard is that?

  7. Grammar ,,, by CaptainDork · · Score: 2

    ... and fly safe ...

    safely

    Few safes weigh 20kg (44 lbs) or less.

    --
    It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    1. Re:Grammar ,,, by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      ... and fly safe ...

      safely

      Merriam-Webster Unabridged:

      Main Entry: safe
      Function: adverb
      Inflected Form(s): -er/-est

      : SAFELY, SECURELY -- often used in combination

      Admittedly more common in American English it is none the less acceptable English.

    2. Re:Grammar ,,, by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

      ... it is none the less acceptable English.

      Not on my lawn.

      --
      It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
    3. Re:Grammar ,,, by thegarbz · · Score: 1

      To be frank, no one gives a shit about your lawn.

    4. Re:Grammar ,,, by CaptainDork · · Score: 1

      You can be Frank and I will be CaptainDork.

      --
      It little behooves the best of us to comment on the rest of us.
  8. A menace until they have transponders by cjonslashdot · · Score: 1

    Until they have transponders, they are a menace to sport aircraft, which often fly at low altitude when landing or taking off from a field, for amphibian aircraft, a lake. Given that striking a drone will usually destroy an airplane and kill the passengers, it seems reckless that they can be allowed over public land above 100 ft. They have been declared to be aircraft: they should have transponders.