SAM IS ....
Education not enforcement is the route to safer skies

Success for Lincolnshire Police Drone Education event

Lincolnshire Police were delighted to welcome members of the public and guest speakers to their education and information event on drone safety and legislation.   

The event was attended by members of our communities who wish to fly drones.  The event, led by Chief Drone Pilot, Kev Taylor, aimed to educate rather than enforce; they would rather people fly drones safely and legally.   

Feedback from people who attended was significant, in that there is a real need to engage and educate.  Comments included:

  • “An excellent presentation.  Great way for those new to drones to understand legalities and how a safe airspace operates.  Many thanks to Kev and guests.”
  • “Was incredibly informative and reassuring.  Thank you, especially to Kev @LincsCOPter for his 1-1 engagement.”
  • “I really enjoyed it.  Was great to have guest speakers from all walks of drone life.  I learnt a lot as I’m new to it all. Thanks again.”

They were also joined by Sean Hickey from Geeksvana, a nationally recognised influencer and educator in the safe use of drones.  He gave a balanced view on flying drones and provided an insight into the law surrounding the hobby. 

Kev Taylor, Chief Drone Pilot for Lincolnshire Police, gave a great presentation showcasing how the use of drones in policing keeps people safe, can identify suspects on the run, can be used for intelligence purposes and for public events, can monitor crowd dynamics, be used for counter terrorism purposes.

Squadron Leader Simon Reavill, from Royal Air Force Waddington, gave a presentation on the dangers of drones to their aircraft which use the same airspace.  He talked about the provisions in the legislation to keep everyone safe, while enabling everyone to use the airspace for their own enjoyment. 

Chris Bradbury from the British Drone Flyers Association talked about the professional use of drones and went further into drone legislation, apps that are helpful and tips of the trade when flying a drone to keep everyone safe.

The event which was held at Police Headquarters, Nettleham, attracted national interest as a useful approach in engaging drone users.  This event runs alongside training for our own officers in what is an expanding hobby and profession.

The event, held on Sunday 25 September, was possible due to the guest speakers kindly giving their time for free.

Information on flying and using drones can  be found on the Civil Air Aviation website Remotely piloted aircraft and drones | Civil Aviation Authority (caa.co.uk)

For more information on the use of police drones, follow @LincsCOPter

25 September 2022

SAM IS ....
2 separate incidents result in arrests for illegal drone flying

In the past 24 hours, there have seen two people have been arrested for flying their drones illegally.

Lincolnshire Police DronesOn May 7th 2019 in Skegness, a man was found sat in his car facing the opposite way to the drone flying with FPV (first person view) goggles on. He was arrested, interviewed and cautioned for breach of the Air Navigation Order. The Lincolnshire Police Drone Team were coincidentally were signal strength testing a secure streaming kit, they are trialling close by when they were alerted to the incident by a member of the public. They took action.

 

He was cautioned for failing to maintain direct unaided visual contact. The drone was over 500m away from the man too.

 

The CAA issued a General Exemption for FPV flying valid from 13 March 2019, enabling FPV flying but only with a Competent Observer. In this case there was no Competent Observer and the drone was too far away.

To follow the Lincolnshire Police Drone Team on Twitter: @LincsCOPter

 

In the second incident, in Inverclyde, a 52 year old man has been arrested for flying his drone too close to a Navy submarine.

To follow: @GreenockPolice

 

Other Police Forces have commented on Twitter to say that they will be acting similarly.

 

In both cases, the Police have notified the general public of the incident, the reason and highlighted use of the Drone Code.  We are delighted that the Police have taken the time to both educate the general public in this manner and are raising awareness that if drones are flown illegally, the operator will be arrested and charged under the Air Navigation Order.

There appears to be a change happening slowly and illegally flying is being clamped down on.

If you fly your drone safely, responsibly and follow the law, you should have no problem.  Know the Drone Code and sign up as a Recreational Member of ARPAS-UK to give yourself extra credibility as a responsible flyer.

 

Other ways drones are being used by the Emergency Services

The Emergency Services have been using drones for some time now and sharing their capabilities across the Services too. Drones are routinely used at fires to check on progress, within Search and Rescue Operations, Drug Searches and Road Traffic Accidents – both assessments and searching for people who have wandered off dazed and confused -, Burglary incidents and more.

Recently on April 29th, Essex Police announced a year long trial between the RNLI and the Maritime & Coastguard Agency trialling drone usage in Search and Rescue Operations.  Read more about it.

 

ARPAS-UK supports members of the Emergency Services and is proud to offer them membership. For more information, please email: [email protected]

 

 

 

By ARPAS-UK

8/5/2019