FIND more places to FLY your drone with this one Drone Assist trick!

Hey everyone! The Drone Assist app is a useful tool for UK drone flyers wanting to confirm the airspace around them and see if there are any restrictions to stop them flying a drone. However, there are several areas and red circles on the Drone Assist map which simply do not apply to drone flights but do not explain this. Today, we show you one quick download which will help you fly your drone in more places - and give you the evidence for others to see!
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Sean Hickey, founder of Geeksvana and main channel presenter is a UK registered journalist who seeks to provide accurate information on what is an often misquoted and misrepresented industry and hobby. Sean currently holds certificates from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, including both the A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) and the General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC). Flying all sizes of multirotor aircraft from the small DJI Mini 2 to larger aircraft including the DJI Inspire series for both hobby flights and commercial work.
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[@will1234.]

It would be good to have NATS linked so you can get access to the latest information about the FRZ and who you can contact. The generic ‘flying in this area may be prohibited’ isn’t very useful!

[@homer1033]

this is good news for new comers to the drone world like me who is trying to get my head around zones & flight restrictions, I'm in cardiff so besides the airport and prison i think i haven't got many around here

[@Historic_Adventures_UK]

U should do a video on English Heritage because they are adamant you carnt fly over, yet I know ya can and do so regularly, but to anyone who sees there’s signs may frighten them from doing it if there not fully aware the actual rules

[@inspiredtotired8369]

Hopefully, the new version of the app, will allow you to enter the make/model or weight class of your drone. So it automatically removes the unnecessary filters which don't apply to the drone you're using.

[@akosichiro_dronaut]

I've been waiting for that update...

[@whisthpo]

It would be Very rude if they did not! 🛸

[@cheeef]

I really should have added more to just my previous "Thank you" comment. As a fairly new drone pilot (about 8 months) there are so many apps out there now that will show you a map with differing flight restrictions between those apps; it's very confusing. One version of the absolute truth would be hugely beneficial but whether that will happen, who knows. I have wondered why Drone Assist has displayed the restrictions it does, so I have always just returned to DJI's app with a sort of 'wilful blindness' mentality which of course could be seen as complacent. Watching this vid has helped a lot as it's meant I don't feel like I'm going mad and now understand that some of these restrictions aren't for me to worry about. Thank you for sharing. Here's hoping the new Drone Assist provides much more clarity per zone, per class of drone, as not everyone is of a high standard with this sort of knowledge. Cheers GV 👍🏻

[@Geeksvana]

I agree completely. One absolute truth would be so valuable. It seems AA are willing to work on it though, so perhaps with a few tweaks it could be Drone Assist!

[@cheeef]

@@Geeksvana thoroughly appreciate your channel mate, thanks again and keep 'em coming. 😊

[@hedleythorne]

Thanks for the info, I had to get some aerial shots in Richmond (David Attenborough film y'know!) and had to double check that it was outside of the LHR NFZ. Luckily it was.

[@funkam0nkey]

Your hard work is always appreciated. Thanks again for the info.

[@Geeksvana]

Thank you Chris!

[@theuktoday4233]

I have noticed that the airspace over Bournemouth outside the actual dark red airport area has ben extended and now goes over the beach and sea and my house where it wasn't before. The restriction is ground to 2000 feet now.

[@tonylewis7660]

Thanks Sean, another clear and precise presentation.

[@Geeksvana]

Thanks Tony! Appreciate your kind feedback!

[@dotta4763]

Very useful as usual man. Also nice new video framing

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

Good tips for UK flyers. Thanks, Sean.

[@KubedPixel]

The biggest issues I've come across is 1. There's a lot of conflicting or more specifically 'missing' information. Why are there so many apps and websites that all show different information? Why isn't this information available in all the apps? 2. This is the big one for me. There should be a function in ALL the apps to submit a flight plan which is available to other drone users and manned aircraft so that everyone knows that there's others using the airspace. You have to do this in manned aircraft but they have radar confirmation too. So for drone pilots, it would show if someone else is already flying or 'booked airspace' so you can plan your flights. I know a couple of apps have this but it should sync to all the other apps.

[@johnnymac26]

nice work as always mate well explained

[@Geeksvana]

Cheers Johnny!!

[@All-the-gear-no-idea-uk]

Instead of having red for where you can't fly, have a colour where you can fly instead, making it simple and easy for everyone to understand.

[@thegooserider7245]

Don't be daft. That would be to simple

[@StormholdIndustries]

Whilst a nice idea, that becomes ripe for abuse. Currently you are allowed to fly everywhere where there isn’t an exclusion (within the CAA rules for your drone class). If you turn it around and add green areas for where you can fly, who is going to do that? What if they just mark some basic parks and that is it?

[@testpilotian3188]

My one wish for Drone Assist is to have a single “no drones can be flown here” setting that only has FRZs and any other temporary zones for that day, and nothing else so when Karen or Kevin come screaming at you, or heaven forbid call the Police, you can quickly show them there are no flight restrictions in place and carry on with your day. Presently the app is a complete mess that even a seasoned veteran could misunderstand. The clue is after all in the name, we don’t need to know about restriction zones that only apply to helicopters, or in my case, controlled airspace from 2500ft upwards, which covers the area I regularly fly, these only give Karen and Kevin more bravery and a delusional belief of self entitlement when 99.9% of the time they are wrong because they’re not understanding the app correctly and see red and assume no fly zone.

[@Geeksvana]

From my discussions with them, the current maps and data run from old assumptions made when the app was first made. We are hoping there will be some developments soon to improve it all.

[@johnhath5940]

Hi all. Thanks for all the clarifications. However how does the drone code, point 8, subsection bylaws apply? Does this give councils power to ban flying within their area OR only landing and takeoff in their area? I fly a mavic mini 2, which is a C0 class crone. Lancashire police website only gives guidance to drone under 25kg. No info for drones under 250g

[@Geeksvana]

Hi John! We have a few videos on the topic of take off permissions and council powers. Start with this one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH2smWltrMxkrck

[@johnhath5940]

Here is a thought experiment. If the land owners responsibility on extends to 6 feet above ground. If my 6ft tall friend holds my drone above his head, can I then take off and land with his assistance I.e. above 6 feet?

[@ClanLawrence]

CTR is a Control Zone, not a "Region". Other than that small detail bugging my OCD, awesome video! :) In an ideal world, CTRs and CTAs should be disabled by default on drone assist. It would also be nice if the exact wording from the AIP was translated across to the Drone Assist APP. Or better yet, if Restricted Areas that didn't apply to drones (like R160) were in a completely separate, and disabled layer. As a brand new install, with default settings, the APP should show restrictions to drone flying only.

[@Geeksvana]

Hey Chris! I annoy myself with 'Region' when I listen back. Considering shock collar training, so keep an eye out in future videos 😂. I agree, Drone Assist should be what it says on the tin and show a main layer of drone only restrictions. Then allowing people to add others if they wish.

[@ClanLawrence]

@Geeksvana LOL, it's all good man. I've made it a personal vendetta to eradicate this "Controlled Traffic Region" nonsense that the drone community invented, for no other reason than my own OCD :p Yep, the current layers in Drone Assist, coupled with the lack of accurate descriptions are confusing, especially for new folk. The dismal DJI mapping doesn't help.

[@SongS-vk1lm]

The NATS code pdf link from description is broken. Where can I find it?

[@mickemmett6828]

Wow! I just downloaded the PDF and even at full magnification on my MI 8 PRO mobile phone the text is still tiny so I'll have to take along a magnifying glass in my drone bag as well from now on🔎🔍

[@Geeksvana]

Hey Mick! There is a lot of information on there for sure!

[@petermackie2883]

I never see mention of the BMFA, or British Drone Flyers (part of BMFA), on your videos. Are they relevant? Are they worth joining? As an ex fixed wing RC flyer, I always enjoyed their insurance and the fact that greater numbers gave greater influence. Thoughts !!

[@sdjdrones]

Useful video Sean. Can you tell me were you got the iPhone KZbin sub at beginning of video please

[@MrDavidgraham]

Hi Sean, I wondered if you were part of a drone flyers club like FPV UK/Drone Cover Club/BMFA

[@Geeksvana]

Hey David! Various! I have been a BMFA member for many years, although mainly because it was a requirement of the flying field I joined, there hasn't been any particular benefit beyond Article 16 and third party insurance. My personal choice looking back would have been FPVUK to help support their work in the hobby.

[@MrDavidgraham]

Thanks@@Geeksvana I've only had my DJI Mini 3 Pro a short time and while I was out with it last week I was approached by a local hotel chain asking if I would consider doing some footage/work for them so I'm hoping to use FPV UK alongside Coverdrone Pay as you Fly commercially for a bit of spare pocket money

[@JRLNeal]

Very useful information yet again, thank you very much, Sean. Sorry to be picky, but I do not like the side shot, if you're going to look at camera look at camera, why have these view of you talking to somebody over my right shoulder I find it really annoying.

[@nxu5107]

Thanks Sean. Hugely useful and appreciated. The extra pdf is a nugget! Please do one for NOTAMS if you can. Every time I want to fly I struggle to interpret/find relevant Notams for day / area I wish to fly. Do you ever find time to fly though as I can imagine the work that goes in to these videos must consume a lot of time?

[@carl4659]

hi, can you confirm that it is not permitted to fly over a motorway in the UK ? specifically sub 250 g, thanks, very informative.

[@greentroll9326]

red arrows are not at scampton any more they are at waddington have been there since oct

[@eamkersh]

Where do I find this " NATA" link that you mentioned ?

[@systemler44]

Can you fly a sub 249g drone in egr311

[@Geeksvana]

Hey Rob! You will need to stick to the text of the restricted area no matter what weight of drone you are flying. The weight benefits of flying a sub 250g drone are only surrounding how close to uninvolved people you can fly and being able to fly in congested areas without further certification. Airspace restrictions apply to all drones. Hope this helps.

[@alwaystravelling100]

Great video. What's confusing is that a promoted and recognized flight legalities app (Drone Assist/Altitude Angel) can be so wrong....for so long; ie FOREVER!! Pure laziness by the developers. You are WAY too kind to them.

[@Geeksvana]

Hey Graeme! The last few videos featuring the app have brought some very interesting feedback! We have also recently sat down with AA to discuss the issues raised. The main ones which stuck with me are some of the wishy washy wording around restrictions etc. Thanks for taking the time to give feedback, I do take it in and feed it all back!

[@cheeef]

Thank you

[@Geeksvana]

Thank you!

[@keithwilson7358]

Clear concise and very informative as usual thanks Sean @geeksvana

[@Geeksvana]

Thanks Keith. Appreciate it!

[@googleboughtmee]

I've watched a bunch of these videos now, and nobody ever explains the vertical limit that drone assist gives you. The first one that you clicked on says between surface and 1700ft MSL. If that means you're fine under 1700ft then surely that's all you need? Also what does MSL mean? Or AGL? A video just covering the info drone assist is giving us would be good. Also telling us where to get that document from an official source would be handy.

[@brianbracherphotography]

It is a shame that Drone Assist doesn’t let you filter out the CTRs. Thanks for sharing the NATs Airspace Restrictions and Hazardous Areas Map. Now have the NATs hyperlink on my desktop 👍

[@Geeksvana]

We have discussed with AA about changing the CTRs so they can be filtered out. Fingers crossed 🤞

[@cbartley100]

Drone assist does allow to to filter out CTRs ( AFAIK) - When in Layer Switches setting - press Show Advanced Switches - you should see a CTA and CTR switch ? - I do - and have it switched off and that big Manchester CTR is not shown

[@Lee-zg3gx]

Hi Sean, did you mention in a video (apologies can't remember where it was) that the CAA/DofT will soon be releasing a consulation to all of us, also is there a date yet confirmed by them?

[@Geeksvana]

Hey Lee! Yes! There is an investigation of the Open Category which will involve detailed public consultations. This will include everything from sub 250g drones to C labels. They are currently working on it and I would expect to see the first consultations later in the summer.

[@Lee-zg3gx]

@@Geeksvana cheers mate 💪👍

[@KFDrones]

When I click on the link it says file not found

[@Jimmacdonald109]

Please May I ask a question I am new to drones and have just bought a m3 pro why is it that in the rc control my photos and videos look amazing and then when I download to my phone they look poor thanks

[@bspark119]

Sounds like it may just be low-res cached versions of the images James. Sometimes there’s an option on the DJI apps to download the full-res version of the images. Alternatively just download the photos directly from the SD card to a PC etc

[@Geeksvana]

As Bspark kindly explains, it looks like the cache versions are being downloaded.

[@Jimmacdonald109]

@@Geeksvana thank you for the quick reply so what and where do I need to download from ? Complete novice here😀

[@Geeksvana]

DC Rainmaker made the best video on this! He explains how to download full resolution to your phone, watch it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZXMloCgi66HmK8 - it's only about 6 mins.

[@JohnCuppi]

Quality content 👍

[@Geeksvana]

Thank you John 😎😎

[@TMA_Droning]

Thanks for this, I’m looking at droning old Trafford at the end of the month, it’s in a ctr so I’m guessing on what I’ve looked at I’ll have to unlock it manually is that correct?

[@Geeksvana]

The CTR is for manned aviation and unless you have a VERY large drone, you do not need permission. Old Trafford looks like it is away from any FRZs, so yes just the DJI unlock required if their flysafe system requires it.

[@TMA_Droning]

@@Geeksvana thanks for the reply, ye that’s what I thought it will be my first flight in a congested area (I’m in Anglesey) I usually do beaches, bridges etc, there’s no ctr here only 3 restricted areas and two of them are airfields, I’ll do the unlock and look forward to my flight

[@shanraw1]

The link to your PDF is great but how can I get an uptodate version of it in say 3 months time. I can see that its the NATS ENR 5.1 data set but how do you get the nicely formatted data at the bottom of your map ?

[@Droninon]

You can grab it from the NATS website in the publications area. It's one of the enroute charts in the current AIRAC

[@Geeksvana]

As Oliver kindly points out, you can grab it from the publications page: nats-uk.ead-it.com/cms-nats/opencms/en/Publications/

[@adamstanley535]

I can’t find it. What do I need to click etc ?

[@Droninon]

@@adamstanley535 Click AIP > Current AIRAC and then it's in ENR6 EN-ROUTE Charts

[@shanraw1]

@@Droninon Thanks forthe details of exactly where it was - much appreciated. ( its ENR 6-75 )

[@nathanporter2781]

I'm totally stumped with what Drone Assist is telling me about Stonehenge. Can anyone clarify, it's a mess ! so is my head.

[@daz51173]

Does this apply to sub 250 drones?

[@Geeksvana]

Hey Daz! Yes it does. Sub 250g gives you more flexibility in terms of flying close to people and in congested areas but all drones must check the airspace before flight.

[@daz51173]

Many thanks

[@jamesmclaughlin-northcoast2171]

I have ctrs turned off in my drone assist app

[@nahidhossain6968]

Hollo sir,how are you?

[@EsFHades]

Hasn't RAF Scampton closed with the Red Arrows moving to RAF Waddington?

[@m1cxf]

As he said on the video. Check NATS.

[@Geeksvana]

Hey Old Timer! The restriction is staying in place as it is a training area rather than specific to an aerodrome where the The Red Arrows are based.

[@paulgrep3193]

@@Geeksvana I'm confused as well and glad you raised Scampton as an example? Local news is that the Red Arrows have been using airspace over Syerston and plans are in place to use of course Waddingtons airspace. So why the restriction still in place over Scampton.....

[@Geeksvana]

Hey Paul! The restriction is a permanent one under legislation, so it will remain as long as the RAF etc want it in place. As I understand it, the area is deemed ideal for training. However, I am aware talks are ongoing so we will have to wait and see.

[@horizonairscapes]

Great content but dont like the weird camera angles where you are looking off camera - makes it feel less engaging 🙄

[@Geeksvana]

Ironically designed to increase engagement of course 😂. Thank you, the feedback is welcome.

[@DethpickleDave]

Nothing wrong with the setup. I think the comment is more about how much you’re using the off angle camera or maybe when. Totally not a video guy, so I don’t have a suggestion, but I definitely feel the weirdness of the OP hinted at.

[@Geeksvana]

I agree on the amount of time spent on the second camera angle. I did think that when it came back from the editor myself but went with it... It works more for me when that second angle is flicked to occasionally rather than being a focus...

[@horizonairscapes]

@@Geeksvana Yes maybe its just too long on those angles. Your content is always top notch and engaging and the go to place for us drone enthusiasts and when you are talking to us its way more personal. I found myself becoming less focused on what you were saying and it felt like you were talking to someone else instead of me. Always good to try new things and hopefully you can tweak it a bit 😁

[@tonysimek]

No matter the angle, thank you for what you do!

[@efelton2699]

Just build your own drones and avoid flying in airports and just fly.

[@abfababs]

Drone assist is useless

[@Historic_Adventures_UK]

U should do a video on English Heritage because they are adamant you carnt fly over, yet I know ya can and do so regularly, but to anyone who sees there’s signs may frighten them from doing it if there not fully aware the actual rules