So here's a thing...Drone Assist...

[John A]

It's been a while since I have been out flying (over 2 years in fact). So, I haul out the aircraft, check things through and look forward to starting up again. Then the inevitable news bulletin on aunt beeb. Being the good law abiding proll that I am, I download Drone Assist and set up the account and so on. The app promptly tells me my home is in a red zone (western edge of Heathrow and the eastern edge of White Waltham Airfield). OK, no problem, there's a little common a mile or so from home and in the middle of nowhere and importantly, not in the red zones on the map. I set the takeoff marker on this location and hit the tick on the app. The app reports "High Risk Area"? Do I believe the map or the report?

My beastie weighs in at 3Kg all up.

All I want to do is bimble around over an empty field (and not get busted in the ass for it) 

Has anyone else had a similar problem?

Regards

[nate80]

As far as I'm aware, right now flying in a red zone is a civil, not criminal, offence. It only becomes criminal if you hit something or someone, which is equally true wherever you fly on public property or private land not owned by you. It'll become criminal next year when the law changes.

I'm not saying we can fly without any concern right now, but you don't need to worry about legal prosecution if flying responsibly over a common. I've no idea which is correct; the map or the report. You've experienced a fairly common problem. But as long as you fly 50 meters from people etc. and don't bring down any jumbo jets (it's frowned upon, apparently) I can't see there being any issues.

[Paul01]

Hi John,

I'm guessing you have a DJI drone?

I flew at the weekend and had to dismiss a similar warning when trying to fly in two locations, a quick check of NATS confirmed there was nothing in the area. When I got home I checked the DJI no fly zone maps and according to them the whole of North Yorkshire is a high risk zone 

[John A]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The aircraft is a home designed Y6 using a Naza M V2 F/C. The height limit is set at 100 Mt and is geo-fenced at 500 Mt. I am glad that there seem to be many people experience similar issues (not that they are having the issues, rather that there are indeed issues)

I am as sure as anyone can be that the flying site is clear of light aircraft at low altitude and airliners are well up by the time they get this far out from Heathrow (I suspect this to be true as they would be leaving the controlled airspace indicated on the map)

I will investigate further before I fly.

Thanks again and Happy flying...

[hoverfly]

I think D.J.I. are just covering their butts,  if there is an "incident" they can claim they had warned about the area.
I contacted them about  a token two areas where the airfields were disused wartime ones,  i got a typical "spin" sort of answer We take safety seriously blaaa blaaaa blaaa. and never  addressed the original question...

[MKPSG12]

I live near Durham which has 2 prisons and because of that half the county is determined to be 'High Risk' on the Drone Assist app  I find DJI's warning system a lot more sensible