Quadcopter/Drone Thread

There is an ******* in the estate we stay in (Paramount Estate, in Shere Pretoria) that decided that it is a good idea to fly around the estate and then went as far as to spy on a single lady’s unit. So there is a shoot the drone down order out on you buddy. Hope they do not catch the pilot, because that pilot is in for a world of **** now.
Your flight records can and will be used against you!
So stop ****ing it up for the rest of us you bloody retarded IDIOT!
 
Does anyone know if any of the regulations have changed for drone flying during lockdown? Would be really interesting to fly around now and observe the usual regulations, but saw the below article referring to things being different under lockdown. Can't seem to find it officially stated anywhere though.

Business Insider CT Drone Article
 
Technically they are illegal right now

A1285/20 NOTAMN
Q)FAXX/QXXXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5152S01651E999
A)FAJA FACA FAJO B)2003262200 C)2004170001
E)ALL INTL, REGIONAL AND DOM FLT (INCLUSIVE OF GEN AND RECREATIONAL
AVIATION) PROHIBITED, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE RISK CAT OF THEIR COUNTRY
OF ORIGIN.
ONLY FLT FOR ESSENTIAL AIR CARGO AND SER WILL BE ALLOWED.)
 
Technically they are illegal right now

A1285/20 NOTAMN
Q)FAXX/QXXXX/IV/NBO/E/000/999/5152S01651E999
A)FAJA FACA FAJO B)2003262200 C)2004170001
E)ALL INTL, REGIONAL AND DOM FLT (INCLUSIVE OF GEN AND RECREATIONAL
AVIATION) PROHIBITED, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE RISK CAT OF THEIR COUNTRY
OF ORIGIN.
ONLY FLT FOR ESSENTIAL AIR CARGO AND SER WILL BE ALLOWED.)

Thank you! :thumbsup:
 
Does anyone know if any of the regulations have changed for drone flying during lockdown? Would be really interesting to fly around now and observe the usual regulations, but saw the below article referring to things being different under lockdown. Can't seem to find it officially stated anywhere though.

Business Insider CT Drone Article
All unauthorised flight is illegal. Those News24 videos better show some permits...
 
Hi all has anyone here had any issues with the CAA? i was reported to the CAA for fling my mavic min in my front yard and have now just revived a fine for the amount of R10 000 . i think this is ridiculous for a first offence
 
Hi all has anyone here had any issues with the CAA? i was reported to the CAA for fling my mavic min in my front yard and have now just revived a fine for the amount of R10 000 . i think this is ridiculous for a first offence
Ouch. Where and when were you flying? What is the fine actually for?
 
Hi all has anyone here had any issues with the CAA? i was reported to the CAA for fling my mavic min in my front yard and have now just revived a fine for the amount of R10 000 . i think this is ridiculous for a first offence

This is standard CAA tactics, you can try appeal to the compliance department but it's very unlikely you'll be successful, failing that you can approach the magistrates court (which will probably cost more in lawyers fees) and the CAA has a very deep legal kitty...

If I were you I'd pay the fine, and don't do whatever you were doing again, count yourself lucky that they didn't suspend your license (if you are even licensed)

EDIT: You can also try approach AOPA, they don't often back down from fights with the CAA (so long as you definitely weren't in the wrong) but remember to join as a member beforehand.... ;)

Capture.JPG
 
So I’m interested in venturing into drones.

So with all the regulations. Where are you actually allowed to fly it as I don’t own a large farm property

Unofficially - just don't fly very close to airports and private strips, too high, or over your neighbors house

Officially, not within 50m of a built up area (which is essentially everywhere in a city/town including parks) over a gathering of people, in controlled airspace, within 10km of airports etc

Basically if you treat it like a small RC airplane and don't irritate your neighbors you'll be fine - if you want total peace of mind go fly it around some RC strips
 
Where is the best place to get a FCC DJI? USA or China?
 
So I’m interested in venturing into drones.

So with all the regulations. Where are you actually allowed to fly it as I don’t own a large farm property
I fly from home mostly. Fortunately we're far enough away from the airport(s) that I don't have to worry about that. DJIs software won't let you even take off if you're too close to an airport or they'll restrict your altitude if you're on a flight path. Fortunately DJI has their own rules when it comes to where they will let you fly.


Where is the best place to get a FCC DJI? USA or China?
I got mine from the US but that was for convenience sake.
 
So I’m interested in venturing into drones.

So with all the regulations. Where are you actually allowed to fly it as I don’t own a large farm property

Here's a map of the no-fly zones;
 
Every little blue dot on this map is an airport/airfield and officially needs to be avoided with a 10km radius (this is why I say this specific rule is silly) just don't fly right next to the airport, or in a manner where a manned aircraft (this includes helicopters) can collide with a drone - if a drone ever hits me and I live to find the owner... Well, its not just me, the CAA and the insurance companies that are going to be unhappy :)

To give you an idea

This map includes CTR's and ATZ's in turquoise (The Immediate controlled airspace from ground to a certain level around busy airports)

FAP's in red (Prohibited areas) FAR's in blue (Restricted areas) and NP's in black (National Parks & Heritage Sites)

over view.JPG

If you follow the law strictly, any area in yellow is classified as a built up area, and needs to be avoided unless you receive prior written permission from the CAA - again this rule isn't followed by most drone operators as like the 10km rule, its impractical

jhb.JPG

What I'm trying to say is, for recreational purposes, fly with due consideration to low flying manned aircraft, understand your neighbors don't want a flying camera over their house, and don't fly the thing in a manner where you can possibly cause damage

As you can see by @bwana's posts - you can get some seriously cool photographs with drones, and have a lot of fun flying them safely :)
 
This map includes CTR's and ATZ's in turquoise (The Immediate controlled airspace from ground to a certain level around busy airports)
Where can I go to see a closer view of that map?
 
Where can I go to see a closer view of that map?

It's unfortunately a program I use for VFR flight planning, you can however contact the surveyor general in cape town and request a digital copy of VFR charts (Around R50 for the CD and postage) or you can get the actual maps at any GA store at the larger airports (PE and EL you may need to go to the actual flight schools in the GA areas and ask for some VFR charts)

Ask for a 1 : 500 000 or 1:250 000 if available
1 : 1 000 000 will be useless for drone ops

EDIT: You can download apps like Garmin Pilot or Airnav pro which also have these maps
 
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