Advice for Homeowner

[lexden]

I am after some advice. I live on a very small development in a Town and as I write I am having some solar panels put onto my roof. The installer has just pitched up with his drone operator who holds CAA commercial approval.

I am happy for them to take pictures of my roof but I am struggling with the CAA guidance on control and proximity. The drone operator thinks that he just needs to have a chat with my neighbours and they will be deemed to be under control. Reading the various pieces of guidance, I doubt that his interpretation of control would stand up in a Court of Law.

As far as proximity is concerned, the drone operator thinks that once he has chatted to my neighbours then the 50M MSR limit does not apply. It all sounds a bit cavalier to me.

I would be grateful for any considered advice.

 

[old man mavic]

he should have already have checked the local restrictions for drone operation ,and filed a flight plan ,there is no reason why he should have to fly over any other properties ,but you should inform your neighbours ,of the reason for the drone flying over your property if they ask what is going on ,the proximity rules for flying under commercial rules are different to recreational and the operator if he is legit, should have all the relevant paperwork in place ,and of course have insurance to cover the eventuality of a crash

 

[lexden]

he should have already have checked the local restrictions for drone operation ,and filed a flight plan ,there is no reason why he should have to fly over any other properties ,but you should inform your neighbours ,of the reason for the drone flying over your property if they ask what is going on ,the proximity rules for flying under commercial rules are different to recreational and the operator if he is legit, should have all the relevant paperwork in place ,and of course have insurance to cover the eventuality of a crash

Thank you. The issue for me is that the CAA guidance on the word control differs from that on the Commercial Federation forum for ‘under control’. I have left the drone operator with the exam question and suggested that he needs to inform neighbours etc: he suggested that I might like to do it! I suspect a couple of them might be a bit concerned.

 

[Olav van Gerven]

As a pilot, you are responsible for the flight and for doing so within the legal bounderies at the place you fly. You, as a homeowner, have no responsibility in that.

At the same time, you live with neighbours and after the pilot is gone, they will still be there. So no harm in knocking on their door and telling them, that there will be a quick survey with a drone on the newly installed panels. I am pretty sure that none of the neighbours will be upset, it might even come to the point where you have them over for a coffee (or tea if needed) and a chat.

I do a check on my roof twice a year, mostly after we had our autumn or spring storms. The neighbours now are used to it, it only takes a few minutes, and the last time I did it, one of them asked if I could fly over his roof to check for visible damage. Only took five minutes and gave me a happy neighbour.

 

[Deleted member 114292]

I am after some advice. I live on a very small development in a Town and as I write I am having some solar panels put onto my roof. The installer has just pitched up with his drone operator who holds CAA commercial approval.

I am happy for them to take pictures of my roof but I am struggling with the CAA guidance on control and proximity. The drone operator thinks that he just needs to have a chat with my neighbours and they will be deemed to be under control. Reading the various pieces of guidance, I doubt that his interpretation of control would stand up in a Court of Law.

As far as proximity is concerned, the drone operator thinks that once he has chatted to my neighbours then the 50M MSR limit does not apply. It all sounds a bit cavalier to me.

I would be grateful for any considered advice.

First of all it’s on the pilot not you if it is a violation.
Second I think you’re getting a little too worried over what should be a 10 minute flight.
Super low risk.
Just because the government made a big deal over it doesn’t mean it is