Hi all.
First up apologies as I know there are a good number of posts about UK drone rules. After a week of heavy reading and attempted research I am just want to make sure I have my facts straight. I’m posting in the Air 3 forum as this is the drone I currently plan on getting, but happy to have mods move it elsewhere if more relevant.
Have I got the following points correct…?
To be able to fly an Air 3 here in the UK all I need is to get a UK Flyer ID, UK Operator ID and do the online A2 CofC (which can be done within an hour or so online?).
From now (Aug 2023) until Jan 2026, the Air 3 will be in the A2 category here in the UK meaning I can fly it within 50m of uninvolved people (and residential areas?). Does this mean if people are involved and know the drone is there filming, I can fly much closer if needs be, even over their property?
Before the Air 3 was announced I was initially looking at the Mavic 3 Pro, but was confused when I saw a few YouTube videos saying that as it’s over 900g it can’t be used legally in most places in the UK. However, I can’t see anything on the Civil Aviation Authority website about a 900g limit - A2 goes up to 2kg. I think I’ll pass on the Mavic Pro 3 anyway as the Air 3 seems more than capable for my needs, but why the fuss about being over 900g? Would obtaining A2 CofC not negate most flight limitations anyway?
Some more context: I have previously borrowed and flown my friend's Mini 2 for a few months. While I enjoyed it I found myself unable to use it in many scenarios simply because of the wind (moorland, hilltops, other exposed places etc). I hike a lot and I wanted to use the Mini 2 I borrowed for (mainly) landscape photography and videos, but it more often than not couldn't cope with the wind speeds. I also found the wide-open field-of-view of the camera a little restrictive for the more close-up shots I personally wanted to achieve (tighter crops of landscapes).
The Air 3 seems to solve both these issues - I've seen reviews of it handling much higher wind speeds and the additional 3x camera is something I wished for every time I flew the Mini 2.
Price is not an issue as I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford anything up to a Mavic 3 Pro, and I even have a few work projects coming up shortly that I may be able to use a drone on.
The Air 3 will mostly (initially at least) be used for personal projects as I am not a full-time photographer/videographer, but I do have a gig coming up that I will be able to make good use of a drone on.
First up apologies as I know there are a good number of posts about UK drone rules. After a week of heavy reading and attempted research I am just want to make sure I have my facts straight. I’m posting in the Air 3 forum as this is the drone I currently plan on getting, but happy to have mods move it elsewhere if more relevant.
Have I got the following points correct…?
To be able to fly an Air 3 here in the UK all I need is to get a UK Flyer ID, UK Operator ID and do the online A2 CofC (which can be done within an hour or so online?).
From now (Aug 2023) until Jan 2026, the Air 3 will be in the A2 category here in the UK meaning I can fly it within 50m of uninvolved people (and residential areas?). Does this mean if people are involved and know the drone is there filming, I can fly much closer if needs be, even over their property?
Before the Air 3 was announced I was initially looking at the Mavic 3 Pro, but was confused when I saw a few YouTube videos saying that as it’s over 900g it can’t be used legally in most places in the UK. However, I can’t see anything on the Civil Aviation Authority website about a 900g limit - A2 goes up to 2kg. I think I’ll pass on the Mavic Pro 3 anyway as the Air 3 seems more than capable for my needs, but why the fuss about being over 900g? Would obtaining A2 CofC not negate most flight limitations anyway?
Some more context: I have previously borrowed and flown my friend's Mini 2 for a few months. While I enjoyed it I found myself unable to use it in many scenarios simply because of the wind (moorland, hilltops, other exposed places etc). I hike a lot and I wanted to use the Mini 2 I borrowed for (mainly) landscape photography and videos, but it more often than not couldn't cope with the wind speeds. I also found the wide-open field-of-view of the camera a little restrictive for the more close-up shots I personally wanted to achieve (tighter crops of landscapes).
The Air 3 seems to solve both these issues - I've seen reviews of it handling much higher wind speeds and the additional 3x camera is something I wished for every time I flew the Mini 2.
Price is not an issue as I'm fortunate enough to be able to afford anything up to a Mavic 3 Pro, and I even have a few work projects coming up shortly that I may be able to use a drone on.
The Air 3 will mostly (initially at least) be used for personal projects as I am not a full-time photographer/videographer, but I do have a gig coming up that I will be able to make good use of a drone on.
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