Where to learn to fly

[Phantom Flyeer]

I was a bit surprised to discover that my local park has banned drones from flying and now I';m not sure where I can go to fly. I don';t wish to break any laws but is everyone insured to fly their drone? Where do you go to practice and learn your skills at flying. I haven';t actually flown my drone yet as it was faulty and I';m getting it replaced today but I';m afraid I will have to drive around for a few hours to try and find a secluded spot to practice. I';m in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire so if anyone has any ideas of places for me to go practice I would greatly appreciate your input.

[Bajadre]

Sucks about the park mate  do they have signs up saying no flying?

sounds like your on the right lines though have a good look round for different places to fly in your area pretty much half the fun is finding new spots to drain a few lipos at 

avoid the bigger open areas as usually that';s what draws the public in, nothing better than finding a nice sweet spot with a few trees to play round than a massive open field.

personally not insured while flying but I always keep to the rules ie spotter,height req,distance req etc

[Two-Six]

I read a topic on here recently ish asking the same question.  I recall there is a place in Milton Keynes that many locals know and have been going to for years to fly RC things.  I think that the BMFA has a contact there:

MILTON KEYNES MODELLERS
Mr PETER CATLOW
catothemad@aol.com

Its on the BMFA';s web site as a control line only site but I think the web site was done in 1956.

I thinks its a pretty loose arrangement but you can get your BMFA insurance and be covered when you fly.

However right now I can';t remember any more about it or find the thread/posting..I will keep looking but in the mean time hopefully somebody will give you a bit more info.

With insurance, as long as you have the land owners permission to fly over the land and you hopefully observe the various rules and guidelines there are you will be covered.  You can get special RC insurance or join the BMFA (British model flying association) either as a "free-range" pilot, I can';t remember how they term that exactly or as a club member.

With learning, start with a small micro quad like a Hubsan X4 or a small ECHINE thing and learn with that first and perhaps also get an RC simulator or two.     

There are now quite a few to choose from that do FPV quad racing really rather well.

Be warned, its not that easy to fly multi-rotors and things can go wrong very fast.  Be careful!

What sort of a drone have you got?

[Hozza]

You can fly on Buryfield Common in Newport Pagnell, but you are required BMFA insurance.

[orfordness]

Re insurance, for the cost its a no-brainer, if you crash and someone else is involved you could loose your house in any resulting lawsuit!

http://www.fpvuk.org/

£15.80 per year (also available pro-rata) for £5m Third party cover

Steve

[Coppers Lot]

I agree with getting insurance cover but I also hope we are not going down the road of everyone has to be a member of fpvuk and cant fly without having paid them a huge annual fee for a licence.

[orfordness]

I agree with getting insurance cover but I also hope we are not going down the road of everyone has to be a member of fpvuk and cant fly without having paid them a huge annual fee for a licence.

£15.80 a year for £5m cover is hardly a huge fee....BMFA is dearer £31 ish IIRC

Its not compulsory, but highly recommended, gives you peace of mind when things don';t go quite to plan!

[Coppers Lot]

£15.80 a year for £5m cover is hardly a huge fee....BMFA is dearer £31 ish IIRC

That was my point, construction site permits used to be cheap and non compulsory, now if your not a member you can';t work.

[ched]

That was my point, construction site permits used to be cheap and non compulsory, now if your not a member you can';t work.

Today is the ';good old days'; of tomorrow!!!!!

I shouldn';t say that really. Look at the technology we have today..... Amazing...