CCC Forum

Small airborne drones complete with camera are now available at affordable prices, so likely it is simply a matter of time before we see an image taken with one entered into a club competition.* There are some regulations about their use and anyone using a drone for commercial purposes has to have permission from the CAA. This requires going through a certification process, which could cost more than some of the cheaper drones and take time to complete. This is not necessary for hobbyist use, but there are restrictions on how and where drones can be used. Amateur Photography has a useful summary of the rules.

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/ph ... -the-rules

* The first such shots will do well, regardless of photographic merit, as judges will not have seen such images previously, with the result that others will start doing it. There will come a tipping point when judges get bored and will automatically mark down every shot as they have seen it all before. **

** Cynical? Me?

A man has been arrested for purportedly flying a drone illegally at Manchester City's football stadium.

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/la ... ules-36845

With increasing availability of inexpensive drones, Amateur Photographer has released a short video about the use of drones.

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/la ... -law-42955

Safe and legal use of a drone is common sense, but there are some key points. Remember that you can be arrested and prosecuted if your use of a drone breaks the law.

• Drones cannot be operated within 50 metres of people, buildings or anything else the drone could come into contact with.
• Do not fly a drone directly overhead a building or person.
• Avoid congested areas.
• The operator must have line of sight to the drone at all times.
• Drones can be flown closer than 50 metres of people if they are all under the operator's control.
• Do not do anything which would contravene another person's right to privacy.
• Commercial photography requires a licence from the CAA which can only be obtained by completing an appropriate training course.

There is also guidance on the CAA website.

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/1995/CAP%2012 ... yrules.pdf