Railway Trouble (UK)

[IC82will]

I see in the news, a drone operator is in hot water for allegedly flying a drone too close to the railway line running along the Britannia Bridge in North Wales..

Cops investigate possible criminal drone footage of train crossing Britannia Bridge. Cops investigate possible criminal drone footage of train crossing Britannia Bridge

Now I'm sure the vast majority of us are sensible, law-abiding, responsible drone operators. But just like with anything, there's a minority out there that are doing really silly things and making the entire hobby look bad for the rest of us.

The implications could be serious. Changes in the law are already on their way and how long will it be before the only place you're allowed to take off from is the middle of an ocean?!

I find keeping a distance of 50m (164ft) from people, houses, cars, etc isn't too difficult. The 150m (492ft) required distance from built-up areas and crowds, however, is so much bigger that there might be times when it's just not worth it. But with each new report on yet another silly and irresponsible drone operator hitting the headlines, I'm really worried that the authorities are essentially gonna kill the entire hobby before it's barely begun.

What's the solution? Compulsory training for operators of drones of certain capabilities? A license that must be applied for and a test that must be passed? Required insurance similar to that needed for cars but for all drone operators?

(I'm aware of the official CAA/FAA accreditation course, but at £1000 that's out of a lot of people's price range.)

Drones are definitely here to stay, but I'm worried us hobbyists and enthusiasts might have our days numbered if these incidents continue.

I think we have to work with the authorities to help make sure the hobby remains enjoyable and safe for all involved (and even those that aren't).

What does everyone else think?

 

[choo choo]

Every transgression by a drone will be reported by the media in the hysterical and sensationalist way they do. It doesn’t matter whether it is near railway, airport, school etc. Drone flyers have become the new Satan We are marching inexorably like lemmings towards draconian laws curtailing our freedom to fly responsibly by the actions of an idiotic few. The authorities are only interested in making money go around, that’s their job, governments do not have money, they merely facilitate it to be circulated, and if they can bring in laws on the pretext of public safety whilst putting £1000 a pop back into the economy, you bet they will be looking at it. It’s a win win for them. The import of thousands of drones from China will slow overnight helping the balance of payments, while raising revenue for training companies. The only people able to afford training will be news organisations, and other public bodies.