New Drone and Unmanned model aircraft regulations in force

[Saracen999]

For clarification, the DRES system launched 5th Nov, so registration is possible now but isn't actually in effect ore enforceable until 30th Nov.

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Noted, and agreed. I just didn't want to confuse the initial post. It was long enough already.

[Spud1]

As usual, we end up with a half baked implementation of something that is good in principle, but is just implemented badly. It seems to be a complete waste of time and public money.

As Zak33 mentioned, this will cause all sensible owners to register, but those who are up to nefarious things anyway (or are just bad pilots) won't bother, and enforcing this is pretty close to impossible.
Just more paperwork and a waste of my time imo. If I don't label my copter, how would anyone catch me? If i wanted to do something stupid like fly out of visual sight or near an airport, i'd just not label it and use an appropriate transmitter..

Yes I will register before I fly anything above 250g, and yes i will go through the process and faff of labeling up my parts (which often get moved between my self built quads) etc, but I am not in any way happy about it.

It would be nice if they could offer some incentive to registration - e.g. lift the very frustrating power limits in the UK for registered owners, and allow us some freedom - but sadly not.

On the plus side my Mavic Mini when it arrives next week is only 249g, so no need to bother with any of this nonsense to fly that My most flown copter is my little Blade Nano CPX anyway and that most certainly isn't caught by this


edit:

Oh, and if you or anyone else does try to fly one of those really agile little beggars, remember modern radio transmitters are programmable. Learn that first, and program in 'modest' curves between control inputs on the radio, and response rates on the heli.

You still have to learn how it reacts, but need reaction times about 20% of those you need in acrobatic mode. Then, as you get it, and gain control, adjust those curves and end-stops bit at a time. You can turn a relative tame "learner" chopper into that doped-up hummingbird, all by software changes. And for free.

Yes this is good solid advice - my first "proper" heli was the nano CPX I mention above...a tiny little CP heli that acts like a wasp. My first flight I had the rates down really, really low and even then I coulnd't even take off. Several weeks later I had the rates up and doing circles...but had I tried it flight one without tweaking the rates? I'd have given up on day one.

[Saracen999]

I really appreciate the insight into Heli's, Saracen. I'm really into RC Cars myself (offroad pretty much - 1:14 to 1:8 "scale") so I have some background there. I have thought about helis in the past and could get into it in the future. I thought drones might negate the need for that but the way you describe the challenge is very exciting.
Also good to think of yourself as a kid at all points in your life

I doubt at any point I will be doing 1:1 heli training but the challenge of keeping one up sounds like fun. And excellent point on the transmitter (TX) programmable curves.
What was that beginner model you mention was hard to handle?

Some of the expertise with cars will help. Mainly, getting your head around the difference in perspective and the control adjustments, between seeing the vehicle from where your head is, to seeing it from where the vehicle is pointing. That's tricky but, short of an FPV headset, if you can't do that (and you clearly can) you'll really sttuggle, be it cars, boats, planes, heli's, whatever.

Of course when it gets really fun is flying inverted, which is hard to do with cars .... other than unintentionally and pretty briefly.

The hard to fly beginner model?

I probably shouldn't call it a beginner model. It really isn't. It's just an extremely light and very small (and therefore relatively cheap) advanced. It can nust be tamed a lot with those tx curves I mentioned. I wouldn't recommend it for a complete novice (to flying) but I would recommend it for a fairly quick transition.

Best, IMHO, for very basic flying (but above toy level) is a fairly small fixed pitch model. Mine was a Blade 120SR. These, basically, go up and down by changing rotor speed, and rudder control from tail rotor speed. They're pretty stable .... though I sure didn't think so the first few flights.

A major advantage of these, though, is that they're light, and are therefore relatively immune to damage when you crash. And I do mean 'when'.

Also, relatively cheap on parts.

The 'proper' CP (collective pitch) model I referred to was mentioned above by someone else, the Blade Nano CP-X. There is now a new version, but I haven't tried it yet. This is only about 7" long and weighs something like 8g or 9g IIRC. Again, minimal damage to what you crash it into, including yourself (but duck if it goes for your eyes) and to the model itself. But this one is about as stable as balalcing one bowling ball on top of another .... with both liberally smeared with oil. The trick is constant micro adjustments. And taming those curves.

There is also a pretty small FP model not much bigger than the Nano. Or was, at least. But I've not tried it.

And personally, certainly for CP models, I'd suggest buyimg the bind 'n' fly (BNF) models and a decent third-party aircraft radio. Why? Versatility, programmability, etc. i.e. those curves. 6-ch will do.

The ready-to-fly (RTF) models come with a basic radio but unless you try it and don't get on, it won't take long go outgrow.

Best bet for trying is probably finding someone helpful at your local flying club. Many decent radios have a kinda "trainer" mode whereby the trainer radio links to the model, but a trainee radio can link to the trainer "master", and control the model. The trainer can flip a switch at any time to disconnect the trainee and resume model control.

[AGTDenton]

You might as well enforce an I.D. for everyone that owns a SuperSoaker at the same time.
Can't believe how cheap Drones are now, and good quality ones at that.