Flying my drone over my garden to get some areal shots for a landscaping idea.
Kept the flight within my property boundary and was no lower than 18 meter.
I live on a estate of curtain twitchers and keyboard warriors. Yet nobody actually knows who lives two doors down from there front door.
We have “village” Facebook page that is normally fully of pointless news or people drying to get rid of stuff.
This comment appeared withing minuets of me doing my 10 minuet flight!
“To whoever is flying a drone directly over our garden: please stop. It’s disturbing our use of the garden and raising privacy concerns. Thank you”.
This was from next door. Who could have just come over and spoken to me. I did not see them in there back garden and if they where in the front garden the view of that from where I was standing was blocked by the house. The drone was defiantly NOT over there garden.
My response was:
“That was me. Photographing my garden for some planting ideas. The flight was within my property boundary’s. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. Happy to share the photos with you if that would help with your concerns,”
Then a total stranger commented.
“you could have saved yourself from this if only you had spoken to your neighbour first.”
I have not as yet given a reply and probaly will just ignore it.
Yes good choice, and definitely don’t use any of the readily available sound track recordings of drones provided by Dji on their free editing software and play it from various speakers at the front and rear of the property. That would be awful, I mean they may go outside scanning the sky for the invasive drones before taking to the keyboard again!
Not sure how useful this is, but I had a go with AI. Gave it all my details, insurance etc and asked it to write something in the event I am approach by a concern citizen or police officer to hand over while having a polite conversation.
Can understand handing it to a Police Officer but not to as you say a concerned Citizen as it is not required to give info to just any interfering Drone Hater…Excellent document will print this and carry it around with me. Thanks for your time and professionalism.
People who are opposed to drones are entitled to their views.
In my opinion, the best approach is to remain transparent, polite, and approachable, while providing as much information as reasonably possible.
Dones can feel intrusive and many people are also unfamiliar with the rules and regulations surrounding drone use, especially if it is not something they don’t have an interest in.
If I am approached, I will provide the above letter which provides those details and have a civilised conversation.
I will also be happy to show proof of any footage captured. If they request the footage to be deleted, I would be willing to delete it from my device with no issues.
I have not been approached so far, but I want to ensure that I am fully prepared, whilst being responsible and operating within the rules. If someone still wishes to involve the police, then that is their choice, and the matter can be resolved that way.
I just want to fly a drone, have fun and make the experience as smooth as possible. Being overly prepared and civilised is in my opinion the best way to do it.
Who knows, maybe I get my first hater soon and opinion changes
You obviously know a thing or two about neighbourly diplomacy.
I’m glad this came up as I have to fly over our garden and house occassionally - when bits of masonry are dangling off or the gutters get totally clogged. I just make sure I ask my neighbours first, and to keep a working rapport with them (sorry to sound like that guy) - but our gardens are very close together.
