Hello
TheDroneMap is a really great resource and from what I’ve seen it’s the best and most complete map out there for the UK, well done!
My feedback is around providing clarity for people who are still getting into drone flying and might not really understand all the lingo and what each type of restriction means. It would be great if a small section was added to explain the different layers that can be toggled on/off on the map and that clarified why some of the layers are not enabled in the default selection.
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The different airspace types are all covered in the CAA material you studied before getting your flyerID (as required for any drone over 100g or with a camera).
Very passive aggressive and unhelpful response but anyway…
I did study the code using the PDF provided by the CAA https://www.caa.co.uk/media/csmfqbs1/the-drone-code-march-2026.pdf which lightly touches on some of those areas but doesn’t really go into that much detail. But still, having that information at hand where it is necessary is always convenient. Good user experience is about providing users with the information they need when and if they need it, rather than assume they know everything.
The CAA website itself is not the easiest to navigate and find information, it’s a bit of a labyrinth of links that sometimes send you around in circles.
There is no single source for all restrictions and regulations and so thedronemap does not attempt to offer one. The onus is very much on the pilot to do the planning, talk to landowners, research local restrictions etc. For example thedronemap shows SSSIs but it’s down to you to figure out whether a particular SSSI allows drone flight and when (often you can get permission on a seasonal basis, for example a site that has nesting ground birds may allow flight outside of nesting season).
I am not involved in its development but most drone maps try not to give the impression that all you need to do is look at one map then go fly. As a type of aviation the regulatory environment is complex for drone flying. Planning flights is necessary, but usually pretty simple once you get used to it. If you want somewhere to practice then find a remote public footpath on thedronemap that is not in any coloured zones and away from farm buildings and it’s unlilely anyone will ever bother you.
Yes, I’m aware that it’s the drone flyer’s responsibility to check if they have permission and that maps that are available don’t offer the full picture.
My feedback was simply around providing a description for what each layer means in practical terms and also why some layers are on by default while others are disabled. That’s it.
It’s fair feedback but I think there is a conscious decision to not simplify the site to avoid situations where people get it trouble then try and blame thedronemap for not telling them something. Historically that has been a problem for manufacturer geofencing (people trying to blame DJI for letting them fly somewhere they shouldn’t).
It’s a kind of “you must be this tall to go on this ride” gatekeeping.