Questions? We will be hosting a follow up Q&A with the RAF. So let us know anything you would like to know in the comments!

@DroningVision

2 ай бұрын

I live near an army base (DM Kineton) and from time to time do notice Chinooks and other helicopters come in low every now and then. Should I be calling this number if I'm flying close by where I live that is about a mile from the base?

@colinsweetman6745

2 ай бұрын

Related to the reply above. Do the RAF share this data with the Army? I regularly have Apaches transiting through my immediate local area.

@MPFben

2 ай бұрын

Do Military aircraft still create a manned aircraft alert on things like DJI’s software?

Fantastic bit of information. Nice to be aware that it's a two way street and the RAF are actively engaging with the Drone community. The least we can do is add it to our risk assessment plan and give them a call if deemed necessary.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Paul! Yes, they have also offered a follow up to mopup on questions etc. The open engagement is fantastic and I wish everyone was the same!

Several decades ago I was in the audience of a comedy show put on for serving members of the Armed Forces at an overseas RAF Station. The audience was facing the stage which was outside a two story building. They had arranged for a low level fly over by a Hercules C-130 as a part of the show. Until it came into view above the root fop probably at a horizontal range of less than fifty yards, the audience heard and saw nothing at all. It can happen that quickly and I appreciate that topping a ridge and encountering a drone pilot doing his/her bit could be a mutually surprising experience.

Nice info, and nice to see the RAF appreciating our hobby. I live in the valleys in Mid Wales and often hear low frying aircraft and with my spotter, take action well in advance before we even see it. That number certainly is a useful tool to have

Great video, my wife and myself went to the Scottish highlands last year and I took my drone to capture some of the fantastic views. I used the RAF help number on a number of occasions to see if it was safe to fly during certain times during the day. I knew that the RAF did low flying activities in and around the area we were staying. The people who I spoke to were very helpful and I'm looking forward to going back to Scotland and fly my drone again.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thank you Gary! Really appreciate you sharing such a positive experience with us all. I need to get up there myself thus year!

@garyd2448

2 ай бұрын

We stayed in and around Ullapool and I had seen some low flying on the day we arrived. We did about 2/3rds of the NC500. We plan on doing the full length of it next time. Beautiful part of the world.@@Geeksvana

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

@garyd2448 NC500 is on my bucket list!!

@Ash.1985.

Ай бұрын

This was my worry as we are up in the Highlands in a couple of weeks and i have noticed on Drone assist that a majority of the Highlands was restricted, did you manage to get permission easily enough?

@garyd2448

Ай бұрын

@@Ash.1985. Yes.

Very informative video, great to see a positive attitude from the RAF side of things. Flight safety is paramount when you are flying a drone by communicating your intentions to the RAF this makes the UK low flying area's a safer place for all aviators. I have previously assisted the RAF after reports a drone for flying in an unsafe manner in an LFA, this process engaging with the RAF was also straight forward so please contact them if you have any safety concerns also. All the information is clear in the video so drone users and the RAF/ other Military aircraft can utilise these area's for their needs in a flight safety aware enviroment.

Ive called them a few times...especially when operating in the Lake District as they fly down to 250a gl there. Always immensely helpful and always worth the call. Last time I rang the lovely chap on the phone said there was nothing scheduled for my area in the times I was flying but if it changed they would call me...or the pilot would! Was rather hoping to get a call form a typhoon pilot as he left Lincolnshire! :-)

Very informative! I live about a mile from RAF Odiham where Chinooks are based. There's a protocol to follow - submit a proposed flight plan which includes all relevant details - they tend to respond quickly - ATC require a call to confirm the flight is approved and a call when the UAV is on the ground. I've got a good relationship with them and have never been refused permission. They respect responsible pilots and would rather being informed - the consequences are severe if you cause a problem.

Great on behalf of the RAF and that they acknowledge we exist. I am on a chinook training path and landing zone, so get them from ground upwards

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Hey Tazzy! Absolutely. The information was free flowing, and they are very keen to engage the drone community. The full interview will be up over the weekend. Some very interesting bits in there too.

Absolutely brilliant advice and makes perfect sense and it’s nice that an organisation like the RAF with a positive interaction with drone operators is nothing short of a breath of fresh air unlike the others…. Even got a contact number to ask if it’s ok and it’s certainly understandable why they can’t give details of there operations….

They are more helpful than local councils !!

Thank you for the great information in this video and increasing the awareness for this topic. You are doing a great job to help avoiding possible conflicts and to esure that in the future we still can fly our unmanned aircrafys, no matter if drones, RC helis or fixed wing models!

I am ex RAF and served on many aircraft types including the Chinook. Until 2 months ago I lived in sight of the runway at the UK's main chopper base. I am also a drone pilot and I use an app called DRONE BUDDY. It tells you where you CANNOT fly drones especially in MATZ areas (military flight zones). Helicopter rotor blades are extremely easy to damage if hit by something, fixed wing pilots can usually get down safe but losing a rotor blade its game over. The UK's defence pilots do a top job - please look ater them. The pilots at the base found out where I was so I got a lot of fly overs from the guys as im retiring soon! STAY SAFE people if in doubt DO NOT FLY. 👍

The RAF and the MOD are really easy to deal with generally. If you tell them what you're doing they're very accommodating. Thanks Sean for the video.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Matthew! Yes, I wish everyone was as easy to deal with.

@Rachelebanham

2 ай бұрын

Also - 400 knots at 250-feet AGL!! I'll go get my brown trousers

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

@@Rachelebanham in the full interview, being released at the weekend - the edit shows me giving out a little YELP! 😂

Very useful. I'm an occasional drone pilot and live right a busy RAF low flying zone Midlands, I'll certainly call for a chat next time I'm airborne. Dad was a Lanc pilot so full respect for the protection of our boys and girls in blue.

Very interesting and useful. Thanks for your clear info

One thing I'd add. There's always the chance that the aircraft needs to abort its planned 'valley' flight path for technical or training reasons. Just because the track is down the valley doesn't mean the aircrew will always be able to follow that track.

Very helpful video. Great that the RAF are engaging on this subject. Helps us all fly our drones more safely.

Brilliant interview with the SQN LDR Rebecca Rowlands and helpful information, i didnt know there was such a number now saved in my contacts thanks sean

I really appreciate this video. Thanks Sean. More of this is useful

A great video and very proactive guidance

Great video - thank you for posting. Really good to see the engagement by the RAF. I have shared the number and poster a few times on SM but hopefully this will really get the number out there.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Gareth! Yes, the engagement is fantastic. I have to say that the RAF and Sqn Ldr Rowlands were one of the most prepared interviewees and genuinely want to get the message out.

Talking of low flying choppers I knew the winchman on the search & rescue chopper out of Prestwick & if they had a head injury onboard to stop pressure changes potentially causing brain damage they kept low flying up the Clyde to the Glasgow trauma hospital and they had authority to fly under the Erskine bridge on this route under these circumstances. It is also interesting to see some of the french military helicopter African KZread videos where their flights are not just deconflicting with 400m drones but avoiding trucks too.

Great video Sean very informative thanks for sharing 👍

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Mark! Hope you are well

Great article Sean - thank you

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

Shawn, I enjoyed this very much and it was very useful information as well. Fantastic job on the content as well as on the editing. Your RAF appears to be much friendlier and willing to cooperate than our Air Force. Thanks for sharing.

Nice one to put out, thank you, and GVC OM material consideration. 👏

Brilliant video thank you very much

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! Appreciate the kind feedback!

@geeksvana sean a fantastic helpful video that im sure many may not have the knowledge passed on it this interview thanks to you and the SQN LDR

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Keith! Sqn Ldr Rowlands and the RAF are very open and keen to engage with the drone community. It is great to see!

very good and confident advice from Sqn Ldr

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Sqn Ldr Rowlands is one of the most prepared and knowledgeable people I have interviewed on aviation.

Excellent advice.

Really useful information thank you

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Louise! Appreciate the kind feedback!

that is great info for me, I live and fly my drone in the north of Scotland and see the RAF most days and often a lot lower than 400ft. Thanks for sharing ATB

Great and informative video.I live in Oxfordshire and it's full of operational RAF bases so this video is essential for newbies like me.

I regularly do uav surveying work in mid Wales and inform the raf low flying mailbox. Its a real shame they dont look at drone assist (the raf stated this in an airprox investigation with a friend) a really useful source of safety information that is ignored, good to hear thats starting to change.

Good to know.

Great video!

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! Appreciate your kind feedback!

Greatt video really informative

this is a really good video, im aware of some of the things that are available, and now i have more information about safe flying, i feel i can be a more responsible pilot, thanks shaun.

Excellent and many thanks for sharing 👍🏼 I’m doing my A2 CofC so this is what I need. I fly around my home town and we frequently have very low military helicopters. It’s not clear cut, we can and should check but the bottom line must be to LISTEN! As soon as you hear that sound get down.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Sam! I experience them a lot in my area too. It has become second nature to drop the drone quickly! 😂

Great info, as ex RAF myself (worked in the actual Ops Room in the clip you showed) I’m very aware of the dangers of low flying aircraft and airprox incidents. I’ll be putting this number into my phone contacts to call when required.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks, Andy! Really appreciate the kind feedback!

Handy video! Matt @UAVHUB had his information slightly out of date. He said the fixed wing were cleared down to 200ft in the training areas. Handy to know its actually 100ft. I'm up in the Northen Scottish Highlands frequently and often in the expansive training area that covers the majority of the Highlands. Nice to know about this number. Will use it in the future.

Excellent information , extremely professionally given … if the RAF say its dangerous to fly there, then drone assist need to get it on there system within the hour !!

Great video! It is nice to see that communication is very open, but the RAF are not silly. The future of the RAF is going to be around UAVs and UAV pilots...what better way to potentially recruit pilots who already have the basic skills.

Great video, must say we had a hedge hopping Chinook pass us at a location we where filming at ( not drone filming ) and was surprised by how fast such a large craft was on us before we reacted to the sound. It has made me very aware of assessing a flight prior to take off on all of my drone flights.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for the kind feedback! Yes, I had a similar experience with two Apache helicopters! Almost on top of me before I knew they were close.

@WhiteDieselShed

2 ай бұрын

Relevant to my question regarding hearing a jet whilst at 400ft where the jet could be at 200ft or less.

Great video Sean! In all the interactions I've had with the RAF (mostly met related), they have without exception, been helpful and courteous. I live 1,000m from a VERY busy RAF base, so slap bang in the middle of a military FRZ/NFZ. Great to see the RAF willing to work with civilian drone pilots, rather than pushing for a blanket restriction over us. I'm just wondering how the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) fits in with this. As we are well aware, their flight ops are random and at very short notice. Perhaps a cheeky little video about that? Well done to both you and Flt/Lt Rebecca.

Hi Sean. That was a very informative video. I live in the South of Scotland and the area is sometimes used for low flying exercises so it is good to know that you can check with the RAF before going out. One thing didn't come up, however, and that is whether or not low flying exercises will appear in a NOTAM's.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Hi Gordon! No, unless it is something like an airshow etc, routine low flying will not be notified on NOTAM, so the number is the best way for sure.

Very useful and informative, I fly around north wales and have seen planes and helicopters flying very low. Luckily I didn’t have my drone in the air on both occasions

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Darren! It is useful to get this info out from the source!

We get the Electricity helicopter, near where I live, at about 250ft once a month. So I always check for it on Flight radar.

Great information! I’ll put that number in my phone for Scottish Glen flights in particular. Cheers!

I will definitely use this number when flying in Scotland. I visit Lochaline once or twice per year and have had issues in that area with low flying military helicopters (and civilians flying irresponsibly but we cant deconflict that). Also, the occasional military transport aircraft flies along the Sound Of Mull.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Superb! It keeps us all flying and enjoying our drones!

Where i'm living in Wales its not to bad here but sometimes we get very low helicopters coming in to check the power lines and also the copter for mountain fires but apart from that is pretty safe here.

Great information Sean many thanks. I was unaware there was such a number. Could the number be added somewhere into drone assist and act as a reminder for drone flyers?

Really interesting and useful video. What method is best and easiest to let the RAF know of the exact location of the flight? What three words would be good 😀

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

I like what three words, very useful! When I have called previously they have asked for the general area. Then crews can avoid or keep an eye out. Knowing is the key.

@paultsworld

2 ай бұрын

@@Geeksvana thank you for your insight.

Excellent post, very informative. Have you thought about doing a piece on the new Airborne Collision Avoidance System (ACAS) sXu and how it will benefit drone users within the open and specific categories?

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thank you Mark! Yes, we have a series coming on UTM and alternatives, sXu is discussed in there. Very exciting!

@user-jh9zm2ek1v

2 ай бұрын

@@Geeksvana look forward to that

Most of the Highlands according to drone assist is a no go area which is ridiculous.The jets from lossiemouth don't fly at weekends normally and just keep under 100ft and should be fine .

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Hey! The large RAF training zone is only active through NOTAM rather than all the time. There is a telephone number for clearance locally on Drone Assist but also the freephone number from the video too.

Amazing content as ways Sean. I don’t fly where the RAF do low-level flying/training, but I won’t rule it out. Holy Moly Fixed Wing down to 100 feet? Man you wouldn’t even hear them coming. I wonder if anyone has even been flying high (up to 300-400 feet) and had an RAF aircraft fly underneath the drone?

Hi sean very useful video, thanks. I live in the North East of England and fly all over the area. The squadren leader mentioned the N.East as being one of their regular areas for low flying, can I ask what area was she referring to do you know? I am guessing it might be the Otterburn Moors? or Spadeadam? I will use the number in future though so thanks for this. Best wishes Jon

Well done with this video. Can you ask which Flight Radar site or App has the best reliability for showing military planes in real time? Also, do the RAF have any plans to adopt the ADS-B system, so we can see them with DJI Airsense?

Valuable guidance. Thanks. You glossed over Droneassist a little. Is there not a case for embedding it more in everyone’s planning & workflows?

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Hey Yann! Great to see you, hope 2024 is treating you well. As these flights are not shown on Drone Assist it didn't come up as such. However, it is a good idea and perhaps they could designate areas to show the number etc. I am meeting with DA people soon and will discuss it.

Brill as ever, as an ex aircraft enginner, I know only to well what FOD can do!!!

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thank you!

@user-gq2lb7ec7j

2 ай бұрын

@@Geeksvana Hi, I can honestly say since looking at you KZread,I feel far more confident, your serious,sensible and legal approch, is so refreshing, I also joined FPVuk, after your mention. Drone operation has to be taken seriously keep operation and safety within the regulations and requirements, to benefit us all.

I fly FPV drones in Shropshire which is designated a low flying area for the RAF due to RAF Shawbury where they train helicopter pilots. I have had 3 occasions where I've been flying and training flights have flown over me circled and flown back to Shawbury. I have permission from landowners to fly around Lilleshall and I think the training pilots use the monument as a landmark to fly to. This isn't an issue and as soon as I hear the helicopters I land and wait for them to pass in the same way as if a dog walker walks where I fly, I land and wait. However , it's annoying that when the pilots see me they choose to approach at low level and circle me at very low level before going back. They can clearly see that I'm flying drones and it feels like they want an incident to happen. They also don't issue NOTAMS etc for their flights. It would be useful for low level flights to be published on platforms such as the NATS app to make people aware.

Handy to know! have a practise bombing range and sand landing area down the road... always worried i need to do an emergency drop.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thanks Mike! Appreciate the feedback. I have a bombing range close as well. So I use the number a fair amount 😂

I live in shropshire with Raf shawbury 8 miles away they like us to notify them I tend to fly at weekends as they don't fly then and always check flight radar 24 to make sure no helicopters are around

Great information. Number now in my contacts 👍

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Fantastic! Thanks Gary.

Iv seen navy and raf helicopters down to 250ft at night witch makes it important if you do fly at night in active areas worth buying a small strobe.

Great video. Very interesting and helpful but I do have a question about operational times in these areas. I know military aircraft don't typically operate weekends and bank holidays. So when are these areas open?

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Hey Glen! Yes, the weekend bit was something the Sqn Ldr wanted to add in the follow up. Weekends are not used for low flying as you state. We will include a full explanation in the follow up. Including times etc.

Great video, very useful/interesting! Q. Does this RAF number and deconfliction system also cover other armed forces/services (i.e. Army Air Corps, Royal Navy Air Service)? For example if your drone flight is planned near an RNAS station (e.g. Yeovil area) but well outside FRZ of course. :-)

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Thank you! Kind feedback is appreciated! I believe this number is just for the RAF, however I am now looking into the rules and notification for other military aircraft, as a couple of people have mentioned it. Great question, thank you!

Excellent video @Geeksvana, and really important info. Q. Does that number cover army, navy and air force? They all fly near me: There was an awesome flight of a Chinook in the Upper Wye Valley this afternoon, just above tree-top height and passing about 200 metres from me. A guy filming his family was quick enough to pan from them into a great shot of it flying away. He couldn't believe his luck tvat he had his camera ready. His children were super excited, they'd never seen a helicopter that close before. Time from locating it to passing? About 15 seconds, not long to react effectively if you'd been flying a drone at, say, 50 metres altitude beside the river... so that phone number is on my Pre-flight Risk Assessment checklist.

Class G airspace, see and be seen. You have as much right to be there as anyone whether I'm using my drone or I'm in an aircraft.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Although a drone must give way to manned aviation. Also, it is good for everyone to see each other as much as possible.

@alancampbell1008

2 ай бұрын

@@Geeksvana I get that but this is typical of the RAF, I speak as a retired CAA licenced ATCO, Instructor and Examiner who worked GA and CAT within and outside regulated airspace and I can guarantee you that even where there is regular daily operations of Civilian aircraft low level in Class G the RAF care not a jot and will happily transit an area of responsibility without communicating but certainly causing problems for flights in receipt of more than a Flight Information or Alerting Service.

Great video Sean! I was aware of this phone number but it took me a couple of years to find it (or come across it when mentioned in different forums or Facebook groups). Until your video I had certainly never seen the RAF poster that shows this so clearly, which I think should be more widely publicized. On subject of mutual avoidance between manned aircraft and drones, could you offer some clarity on the usefulness of ADSB? I fly a DJI Air 3 with the "AirSense" (or ADSN-in) feature turned on, but have yet to receive an AirSense warning - ever - despite seeing (and intentionally avoiding) light aircraft and heavy RAF transport aircraft. (This has always been done when my Air 3 was flying within VLOS and outside FRZs unless the correct authorization was given in advance.) Under what circumstances are UK manned aircraft required to broadcast ADSB-out signals? From trawling You Tube on this subject I begin to suspect that it may not be required for all UK aircraft to broadcast this in all locations and circumstances. If so this is a great shame because I think a functioning ADSB (manned aircraft proximity) warning for drone pilots seems to be a great idea; DJI already provides reception of ADSB signals on more than one drone model. Any guidance that you (or your RAF contacts) can offer would be warmly appreciated, thanks

really usefull, I was flying in Ogwen Valley recently and RAF came out of no where. Nothing on drone assist, no Notams.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Hey Matthew! Thank you! Yes, it can be scary when it happens. As they are 'routine' low level flights there is no notification at all. At least the number allows for some visibility the other way.

nice video however some RAF aircraft don't have their transponders on so you don't see them on ADSB

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Absolutely! That is in the full interview we are releasing at the weekend. As well as the fact they do not carry out low level flying routinely at weekends.

I believe that if you hear any aircraft flying in the same area you are flying, you should land Immediately..

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

100% agree. It can also be useful to hover if you are flying fairly low to assess first. But certainly, landing will always be the answer!

Great advice, easier not to just fly there. Common sense

The lovely lady failed to mention the Fleet Air Arm (who have more helicopters than the crabs, sorry RAF and also operate F35's). Then there is the Army with their very fast helos and gunships. It would be good if the contact number was tri service. As for near misses, no one is going to incriminate themselves.

hi i was wondering what law covers drone footage at duxford air display today on planes tv,as they seem to be flying next to the active runway? just out of interest cheers

the only way your get to find out what the mill aircraft is up to is if you put a notam up on the caa. your then get a phone call from any pilot what wishes or plans to use your area.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

I don't think you will get any info, they will usually just plan around it.

@flyingdroneswiththescoob9488

2 ай бұрын

@@Geeksvana i know this first hand, while filming in the plymouth area last year i had a phone call from 2 police helos 1 F35 pilot and 2 mill helos. they told me what aircraft they where flying and from which direction. the police helo they where searching for missing person and a crim on the run, the 2 mill helos where transporting people from base to the dockyard, and the f35 was a grounp of 4 heading back to base after an excise off the coast of cornwall :)

I live on the side of Abberley Hills in Worcestershire and regularly get military flights going over (usually helicopters) even though nowhere near an RAF base, what sort of notice is it worth giving that telephone number? I rarely plan my flights, depends on when I'm free and the weather. I would imagine any notice less than an hour is not worth telling them. Also, what about Police, Air Ambulance or Power Line inspection helicopters? How do we notify them?

Could you make a video talking about what specifically they will ask for if you phone them please? Do they need a specific date and time and location or is vague information okay? Like saying you will be flying around an area tomorrow afternoon? Or do they need you to give the exact area you are planning with the exact time you are planning? Also does it need done in advance? Can I just phone them and ask if it is okay to fly right now or do I need to give them a few days notice? Overall it seems quite simple with the RAF but I would like to see a simplified and unified system, so you go on drone assist or similar and log that you are going to fly and that is it, but you have to do it for all flights. This would also possibly help to bring in BVLOS if anyone using the airspace can see where drones are, that would help to remove the main arguments against BVLOS flight which is collision with other aircraft. Also anyone using the airspace should be required to log where they are going to fly or have an active tracking system, even paraglider and paramotor pilots.

Sadly, won't be an issue now.... today, while bringing my DJI into land it reported an "Engine motor failure" then shot off never to be seen..... with 20 mins battery remaining its not just lost, its Lost Lost.

We're I live in the North East they sometimes low fly over a local reservoir that I fish Derwent reservoir (Consett) but I've also flown my drone there a few times (no restrictions) on any of the apps but it's always a worry in the back of my mind a jet is going to come out of nowhere, it's scary when they do come over how 1 second nothing then all of a sudden there's a fighter jet cracking over your head, not sure how low they actually are because it's deceiving bet they do look low

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Hey Dan! That would be scary! At least with the telephone number you can have the peace of mind that they know you are flying in the area.

@MrSmartDan

2 ай бұрын

@@Geeksvana I'm really pleased you've made this video so now I know there's a number I can call to check if there will be any flights through that area, I've also seen chanooks pass over but they looked well above 400ft, it's not very often you see military action but it does happen, it's honestly made me jump a few times over the years when I've been sat fishing nice and quite then all I've a sudd3there a fighter jet come screaming over out of nowhere it's great to see, if I was flying my mini 4 pro and it happened I'd probably pull my stick in and down to emergency kill it to get it out if the sky

As long as this information and locations clearly shown on the Drone Assist app I cannot see it ever there being a problem .. along with the details if you wish to contact them ..

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Hey Oscar! That is kind of the point. Low level military flights, (or other low level flying), do not show up on Drone Assist. We have a responsibility as drone pilots to give way to manned aviation and share the airspace safely. The number in the video is not featured in Drone Assist and they could not list every flight. Keep in mind that there are very good security reasons not to list where military are flying too.

@cheekyoscar1353

2 ай бұрын

Maybe I didn't make it clear to Start . The lady did indicate there is quite a few areas dotted around the UK where they quite often use . obviously they are not going to tell us when they are flying around them Pacific areas and I understand that .. but having some kind of awareness on the Drone Assist app would still be useful... that's the point I'm trying to make .. This is how I see it . I now have the phone number Great . I go out and fly my drone but I'm not aware of it being in an area where military aircraft "may or may not " be flying . if I don't know this information of the location where I am what am I supposed to do .. obviously if i see any aircraft coming anywhere near me I will get out of the way as quickly as I can... but if I'm not aware I am flying in the military area and it's not on the Drone Assist how can I minimise this .. So can you confirm all these locations active or not active on the Drone Assist app ...

Fly indoors , much safer 😁

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

You haven't seen my flying 😬😬

Oddball question maybe but... Whilst driving from the bottom tip of South Wales heading vaguely towards the Midlands and I get lost and come across a valley that looks like a scene from Jurassic Park... No phone signal and drone assist shows the area as clear from the last time it had a signal. So I pop the sub 249gm drone up for some magical pictures and at 400ft I hear a jet... What are the odds of the jet reaching the drone before the drone lands?

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

This is a good question because it is the type of thing that can mess with confidence, etc. The chances are very low but if the drone flight is notified then it is likely the pilot would take a slightly different route etc. It is a great way to share the airspace and keep it open for everyone.

Don't forget not just the RAF that need the information but the Army and Navy operate helicopters that fly low and have scared the life out of me when I was in the army when low inside the chopper even as a stick commander. I would stay away from any military training areas in the UK not just low fling areas specifically used by the RAF.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Excellent point! Thank you!

Where can we find a map of the low fly areas?

@roadsweeper1

2 ай бұрын

Drone Assist has the RAF training areas on them. Think NOTAMs does too Pretty sure the RAF/MOD websites have their own maps too of you Google them

A couple of points 1. The emphasis in the video was on the RAF, but in my experience I am more likely to see low flying helicopters belonging to the Army Air Corps. There was a vague reference to "military" flying in the video, but do the AAC also use the same system so that only a single number has to be called ? 2. If someone calls the number to let them know that they will be flying a drone in the Mach loop then will the military aircraft really avoid the area, fly higher etc ? I think not. It would seem to make more sense for such low flying practice areas to be off limits to drones at all times

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

There are always extremes. The Mach loop should not be an area drones are flying in. Although the airspace is technically clear, I would argue Article 241 would not allow it safely. It is a topic of debate at the moment and I would not be surprised to see restrictions one day. The number would only add to the RAF preflight system.

@Bob_Burton

2 ай бұрын

@@Geeksvana Let's play Devils Advocate for a minute ... I believe that Article 241 says "A person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property." but that cuts both ways. Having been warned of a drone flight in a low flying practice area are the RAF allowed to recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger a person or property even if is one of their own ? A permanent and well defined restriction on drone flying in such areas would make things much clearer As to the AAC not having access to the preflight system, that is a shame and a missed opportunity

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

@Bob_Burton unmanned must give way to manned, so although an interesting discussion, it would fall on the drone pilot.

Can the RAF tell me why a year ago four of them few over my house ( in a built up city area). Just above my rooftop. The ground and the building shook. I thought world war 3 was kicking off. I asked about it and got no answer back from them.

Untrue,the aircraft that fly where I live have flown just above roof height,that you can see the pilot.

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Correct. The video stated that some aircraft are clear down to ground level.

Good luck Tornado spotting they retired them years ago😂

@Geeksvana

2 ай бұрын

Fortunately my age is already on display with the grey beard 😂, otherwise references like that would really show it 😀.

Low flying aircraft are thousands of times more likely to have a bird strike than a drone strike. If the RAF have dedicated low fly locations as well as military bases why do the need to fly lower than 400 feet. I support the RAF and used to fly rc aircraft in dedicated location and we regularly had low flying RAF aircraft fly right over the field why?

I'm so fed up with these audits destroying the drone hobby for the rest of us. Dje audits flying over crowds of people at Walt Disney studios and told by police beforehand that it's a no-fly zone

Hi Sean could you ask Sqn Ldr Rowlands if she would like to marry me as I'm in love. Mike, Northern Ireland 🫡❤

Hi Sean, very useful video, one question I would like to ask is , I live near an RAF quick response airfield who also train a lot in the area, would they prefer I also ring the local air base and inform them directly or just the number provided in the video, thanks.