Safe Places to fly your Drone
by Simon Newton
With the increasing numbers of consumer multirotor aircraft, UAVs or "drones" being bought and flown, both manufacturers and airspace regulators are keen to educate people on where and how you can legally fly these amazing machines. As well as finding suitable public land to take off from, users also need to be aware of airspace restrictions around sensitive areas, as well as any prohibitions or local laws (in the UK, for example you can't fly over or within 150m of congested areas or within 50m of people, vehicles, structures of buildings not under your control with a camera drone).
This app will be a way for people to share appropriate and legal sites they have found for flying, wherever they are in the world. Be it a large, unobstructed open area; easily accessible public right of way for taking off from; beautiful scenery in open airspace for taking stills and video of; or all of the above!
Whilst there is no prohibition on flying over private land, we should always be sensitive to noise and privacy concerns, so please avoid any sites where this may be likely. Similarly whilst taking off from a public right of way would be legal, if that right of way goes through or very close to occupied buildings then please be considerate. This is all about you - the vast majority of drone hobbyists who fly sensibly, safely and legally - curating your own database of great places to fly and showing the world at large that we don't all buzz airports, peep into windows or fly like reckless kids.
The final form of the app will be collaboratively designed by the subscribers and viewers of the YouTube multirotor/drone channel "On the Kitchen Table" - and anyone else who wants to join in and contribute to the positive side of the hobby!
On the Kitchen Table - YouTube
www.onthekitchentable.info
@Simon_Quads
Image: Wikipedia / Tobias Klenze / CC-BY-SA 3.0
Update shared
Thanks to everyone who's supported the idea so far! We've hit the number we need to start development at the end of the 30 days, which is a great achievement. However, in order to make this free app a success we still need to develop a good user base - we don't just want it to be built, we want it to be used! This isn't a commercial venture, there's no marketing budget... once the app is built it still needs lots of people to download it and use it and input their information and so on to make it work. The best way we can ensure that the app is a success once it's built is to have a great potential user base already lined up - which is basically you and all your flying friends! So if you haven't already please take a moment to share the link to this Movement (easy and quick social media sharing buttons are on your right) and to post about it in forums and other online groups you might be a member of, encouraging people to click the support button so we can keep the momentum going. The last thing I want is for us to have a great app, but with no one using it...
Onwards and upwards. :)
Cheers!
Discussion
TOPJIMMY -
So is this for you phone only.. I am on a laptop,, ?
DILLEY -
Hello, new to this drone thing so was pleased to find this app. An area was marked so will be checking it out soon. Hopefully I can add to the list
phich -
downloaded and installed on iPhone 4S, but wont allow me to register
kevchef -
installed and ready to use
Ramle -
Why cant i see other pins than mine ?
ptv -
Nice app, I searching any software to organize flights between friends or other people. Is it possible to add this feature. Just press point on map and write time when I want to go to fly. Other can see this item and time and can come too, or write his time.
Rueben -
Why is it that I can't see any other pins on the map other than the ones I made? And would you consider satellite view?
txdan2010 -
An app with this functionality has already been created - http://www.hoverapp.io/
nick_lewis -
3 more days to go!
nick_lewis -
So great to see it being supported by so many people and now it is featured on App Movement's home page. Brilliant brilliant!
shaun_george -
will it be on andriod as well ?
Brian089 -
Definitely The Must Have App, for flyer's everyware
justin_yee -
Love the idea!
peter_daprix -
Brilliant! If it succeeds, it could go a long way to helping the various government departments tasked with dealing with the small quad copters.
arholland -
Great idea!
bert007 -
lets do it... greetings from the Netherlands..
onthekitchentable -
@alan_dunplop-walters Avoiding cattle stampedes is another great use for the app! :D
onthekitchentable -
@mick_m Don't worry, I'll blow the dust off my PPL ;)
christopher_john_baker -
I love the idea!, let's get into the groove, love your drone, keep us all posted for us responsible fliers who want to drone fly safely ,without bothering the public
fredbotton -
Great idea, especially when travelling abroad - a quite nice way to respect each countries flying rules...
jeff_feltman -
Great idea and I am looking forward to assisting in any way possible. As always, I look to you for advice and leadership, Thank you
jeff_feltman -
Great idea and I am looking forward to assisting in any way possible. As always, I look to you for advice and leadership, Thank you
mick_m -
All for it! Be careful with the design though and make sure you get someone involved who properly understands the regs in the ANO and can interpret VFR charts correctly.
tony_james -
Great idea. It shows the powers that be that at least pilots at trying to get our own house in order.
alan_dunlop-walters -
I'm in. Always looking for alternatives when the cows are on the common!
JackJac -
This will help me a lot
ben_wilson -
good plan dude
Milesra -
Great Idea!!
phantom_flyer -
Sounds good to me...
aaronf -
Good idea. So far it's all been about where you CAN'T fly!
mike_brown -
Separates the serious guys from the lunatics, great idea, I will raise a glass to this one!
barry_clack -
Looks like its fully supported! Well done all.
james_clarke -
Always looking for new and safe places to fly...great idea Simon!
j_rober -
Great Idea!!
dr_william_h_pugh -
You made it
oliver_obrien -
Great Idea Simon, keep the good work up, Cheers
PhantomFlier -
Great idea! This app would not only benefit enthusiasts wanting to fly somewhere but could also encourage responsible & knowledgable fliers too.
damien_tanner -
Great work and a very worthwhile idea.
DroneMan -
Great Idea Simon!!!!
Rod -
Top idea Simon
andy_golesworthy -
You have my support
barry_clack -
Superb idea and should be supported by all sensible drone pilots.
tommy_pallai -
Love this idea
niki_younie -
Great idea, hope its going to be available for Android too! :)
rod_gunn -
Good idea, Simon
