How close is to close

[MAGA]

If one where to say flyby some kayakers for a quick hello how close is to close? Minimum distance ?

 

[MAvic_South_Oz]

Whatever your local airspace regulator rules state, would be the best answer.
I’m not sure the US has a minimum distance for people, but here in Australia it’s 30m (about 100’) for hobbyists, in the UK pretty sure it’s 50m (about 164’).
Otherwise is the absence of any set rules in it I’d think common sense.
Who’s to say then, they might be bothered if they can hear it, or they might like some footage of them paddling along.
Unless you can ask, a considerate distance is variable between individuals.
Asking is best policy if possible but might be hard in this case of course.

 

[Unknown Pilot]

Anything within a radius of 3m is too close.

Generally it easier to ask for forgiveness than permission... but in this case ask if they mind.

 

[Mossiback]

Too close depends on the regulations where you fly and to some extent the mood of the kayakers. You could use the camera zoom or crop a high resolution recording to seem close without getting close. You could also hover over land off to the side and let them float by.

 

[MAGA]

Too close depends on the regulations where you fly and to some extent the mood of the kayakers. You could use the camera zoom or crop a high resolution recording to seem close without getting close. You could also hover over land off to the side and let them float by.

Exactly! I did a crop that looks close. But was about 50 yards away

 

[MAGA]

Whatever your local airspace regulator rules state, would be the best answer.
I’m not sure the US has a minimum distance for people, but here in Australia it’s 30m (about 100’) for hobbyists, in the UK pretty sure it’s 50m (about 164’).
Otherwise is the absence of any set rules in it I’d think common sense.
Who’s to say then, they might be bothered if they can hear it, or they might like some footage of them paddling along.
Unless you can ask, a considerate distance is variable between individuals.
Asking is best policy if possible but might be hard in this case of course.

A good crop frame brings the subject closer . everyone I ever flew by waved with the exception of a 12 year Old flipped the drone the bird

 

[conchman]

If one where to say flyby some kayakers for a quick hello how close is to close? Minimum distance ?

I dont think they even knew it was there. Unfortunately the beautiful resort a few hundred meters away from there was destroyed by hurricane Dorian.

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[Elude]

If they can hit drone with rock or a fishing cast…It’s too close

 

[dronerdave]

I avoid trying to ruin other people's experience and would stay as far away as I would with a DSLR or at an altitude where it doesn't bug em. If however they happen upon me where I'm flying it doesn't bother me as much. I just go the other way and don't chase for a cool pic.

 

[OldGoatMTB]

I think I'd limit it to a quick fly-bye if they were ambivalent to my drone. If they wave I might carefully move closer for 5-10 seconds. "Read the room!"

 

[Filipok]

I'm pretty sure the rule of thumb is 100 feet AND do not fly or hover over them.

 

[Brockrock]

It's situations like these where we have an opportunity to be polite and good ambassadors of this hobby.

Let's say there was no hard and fast rule, and in many cases, there may not be, up until the point that your proximity to those you wish to film becomes an act of Reckless Endangerment, Breach of Peace...all states have similar laws.

Generally, folks out for a bit of kayaking - or the like - are doing so to relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings, and unless you know them and have their permission to fly near them, your doing so could be considered an undesirable distraction at the least. After all, your good intention may be to say 'Hello', as you put it, but there is no way for them to know that.

Having said that, I would have to say that Filipok would be generally correct in Post #11 above. Unless you are flying one of the older, louder UAV's like a P4, I have found that the M2P at 100' goes fairly unnoticed.

 

[DanMan32]

One time my P3 lost downlink but not uplink while it was at a bend in a river. It hovered there 4 minutes waiting for my next command, without my realizing that.
I'm sure those boating/canoeing thought I was watching them.

That was a scary 4 minutes. It came home because battery was low.

 

[Lets Fly]

I dont think they even knew it was there. Unfortunately the beautiful resort a few hundred meters away from there was destroyed by hurricane Dorian.

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At 17 seconds he looks right at you, but you are at a very respectful hight. All sorry about hurricane Dorian.

 

[Deleted member 93449]

Far enough away that they don't hear the drone or feel threatened by it so sound and speed can be factors when discussing distance.

 

[Randori]

I try to be pretty sensitive to other people's experience out in these natural places and unless they've already expressed interest or enthusiasm I try to fly high and far away enough that they are basically unaware of the presence of the drone. Most people are fairly cool about it and some have even approached asking to be filmed and whether I could share the resulting footage....but some folks don't particularly care for a buzzing machine interrupting their outdoor experience and I can't say I blame them. Best advice in the thread was basically respect other's wishes to experience the natural world in relative peace and try to read the room. When in doubt.....don't be that guy who interrupts someone's serene experience with your mechanical hornet!!