London Sights from a Quadcopter - Legal Concerns

[Andy Wilkinson]

There are some stunning sights in this video but many of them were shot in very close quarters with people (and important buildings) so I can't help thinking this kind of stuff is going to get the heavy hand of the law sometime very soon.

We've discussed this a bit on here in the past (I could n't quickly find the thread so just putting it here for now). Comments?

Team BlackSheep's TEATIME in London - YouTube

[Mike Beckett]

Unless they had permission, I'm seriously surprised they didn't get nicked for flying that over the Houses of Parliament.

[Andy Wilkinson]

They are shown "being interviewed" with the police at the end of the film but (depending on how it was edited) it's not possible to tell at which location they got nicked. Either way, these people - and I'm sure others like them - will potentially ruin the future of this kind of shooting for those that try and do it responsibly here in the UK.

[Lee Mullen]

People are getting paranoid all the time.

[Stephen Mick]

Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't out to get you.

And if you fly a craft like this carelessly, and over the general public, and over landmarks well-protected by the police, they will be out to get you. And you're an idiot for doing it without proper permissions.

[Nigel Barker]

All that flying was illegal for even a hobby flier let alone a commercial shoot. You need a licence from the Civil Aviation Authority to do any sort of aerial video/photo work for hire. As a hobby flier you are not allowed to fly within 50m of people. From what I gather on their website those guys are German or Swiss so presumably just visiting the UK as tourists.

[Ray Bell]

I like this one better...

Team BlackSheep | USA Highlights - YouTube

Those guys pretty much invented the FPV flying style... there's some real talent among them.
The plane/quad they use is sold by the Multi-Rotor Frames

And they also will build you a complete setup if you don't want to spend the time/energy... they have a proven platform that works great...

here is where they hang out if you want/need further info

FPVLAB - FPV Without The Interference

The flying wing is made in Arizona.. here is the web site for it...
RiteWingRC :: Wing Kits

[Paul R Johnson]

With idiots like this, is it any wonder legitimate, law abiding professionals find earning a living more and more difficult! Some of the most sensitive areas in London - and they fly those things with no concept of the dangers they could cause to members of the public and of course the buildings themselves. Many of us saw the recent video where one of these things went out of control in a city and crashed into the building. Scary stuff! Great images of course - but at what cost.

[Donald McPherson]

I'm surprised it was not shot out of he sky as a security risk. Especially hovering above Westminster.

[Nigel Barker]

In general in the UK you can fly a model aeroplane wherever you like provided that you take care not to injure anyone & don't fly too high or too near to an airport or other sensitive areas. It's only when you have a camera on board that you have far more restrictions like not flying within 50m of people or buildings (these measures are supposed to be for privacy reasons & aimed at paparazzi) & those changes were only introduced about 3-4 years ago.

[Paul Cronin]

For someone who pays the fees, and shoots legally from a full size machine, I think it is bad policy to even mention these people. Lets promote professionals who do it properly.

[Jack Zhang]

Heads up, Oregon is getting ready to ban this practice, just giving everyone a heads up:

Own a drone: Fine. But fly a drone with a cam: Year in the clink ? The Register

[Heiko Saele]

...and I thought the U.S. was all about personal freedom... well, not anymore, I guess!

[Galen Rath]

Originally Posted by Heiko Saele

...and I thought the U.S. was all about personal freedom... well, not anymore, I guess!

The laws in the US are probably as old as RC planes themselves. The laws do not discriminate against aerial cameras, they say no use of RC planes FOR ANY COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. You can put a camera on an RC plane for personal use, just obey the laws for RC planes for personal use which are fairly simple--something like no more than 400ft altitude and the plane can't be out of sight of the operator and stay away from airports, things like that. Of course all sorts of other restrictions can be placed by local authorities no doubt.

[Craig Chartier]

great footage, bad publicity for others but good in the short run for them.