Drone spying on range.

[Mattnall]

If it was flown within 50 metres of the public or vehicles or other property that could be damaged then the operator is breaking the law. Unless they have a permit.

..... most likely they're not doing anything illegal if flown correctly.

By correctly I was inferring legally and within the provisions of the ANO.

[Lancs_Oakley]

why would it worry you?

I know the area well. Its not somewhere you want to be flying a high value drone.
Terrain, weather, structures, high power radio installations etc. Would it be worth the risk to have a quick look at a quarry? Seems odd to me. Its like taking a Ferrari for a drive down a dirt track just to see whats down there. IYSWIM.

That said I don't like to take risks when I fly RC aircraft, but I think anyone flying that kind of equipment would know the cost if they lawn dart it or run out of juice etc.

[bradaz11]

why would it worry you?

I know the area well. Its not somewhere you want to be flying a high value drone.
Terrain, weather, structures, high power radio installations etc. Would it be worth the risk to have a quick look at a quarry? Seems odd to me. Its like taking a Ferrari for a drive down a dirt track just to see whats down there. IYSWIM.

That said I don't like to take risks when I fly RC aircraft, but I think anyone flying that kind of equipment would know the cost if they lawn dart it or run out of juice etc.

that sounds like the sort of place people with expensive drones would like to take them

[hitchphil]

Maybe all ranges should be fitted with their own array of barrage balloons ............ with a net of 0.5 lb fishing line strung between them?

..............would it be illegal to dazzle them with laser bore-sights & pointers?

[Dellboy]

When does it become an offence against privacy

[Racalman]

When does it become an offence against privacy

This is the UK.

There is no privacy.

[Mattnall]

When does it become an offence against privacy

The same time as when a light aircraft flies over, or the one carrying all the Google Earth 'satellite' cameras, etc.

[Dellboy]

So we are all told to be low key with our hobby but a drone can collect reg numbers and peoples photograph faces without a problem .
Great

[Mattnall]

So we are all told to be low key with our hobby but a drone can collect reg numbers and peoples photograph faces without a problem .
Great

And so can anyone who wants to sit in their car outside the range with a notepad and pencil and a smart phone. What's your point?

Both totally legal and nothing you can do about it, the drone footage would be harder to get registration numbers from and the drone would have more trouble following you all the way home if you lived any distance from the range.