Waypoint flying in UK

[MrMarr]

I'm looking into waypoint flying with the DJI datalink and ground station and I'm wondering about the legalities of it in the eyes of the CAA if I'm doing it 'commercial'.

CAP 722 paragraph 4.1.1 seems to suggest that, as long as a human is ready and able to take back control "within a few seconds", autonomous flying is OK. The datalink/groundstation does enable the pilot to take back control at any point, and if the craft is still within LOS, under 500m away and less than 400' high am I right in thinking this is fine?

I'm not after way-points flying for extended range or height, purely for it accuracy and repeatability.

Has anyone else seen anything else from the CAA on this? How is anyone else interpreting the regs?

Let's discuss!

 

[Carapau]

Very simple. As long as you are keeping an eye on the aircraft for the purpose of avoiding collisions with other air users, and not your screen, then you are operating legally. Of course, as you mention you must keep within 400ft and 500m. A quick flick of the mode switch on the DJI ground station is all that is needed to regain control so there are no issues.

 

[MrMarr]

Thanks carapau, that's what I was thinking/hoping! Someone I was shooting with yesterday was saying it was illegal and it got me wondering.

Anyway, good good, back to plotting plans, and waypoints! M

 

[RCJardin]

Presumably it needs to be stated in the Ops Manual? Just doing mine.

 

[Carapau]

No it doesn't necessarily need to be in the ops manual. The CAA doesn't issue permissions based on waypoint flying so as long as you keep within 166 and 167 then you will be find ie distance, height and keeping an eye on the aircraft and not the computer screen, you are good to go.

 

[henrysj]

I had to state it in the ops manual and also was tested on it during my flight test

 

[Carapau]

And that's where the NQE's don't always get it right. With that said, it is no bad thing to put it in the manual as it can help you get your thoughts and processes in order. I don't have waypoints in my manual and never have. It has always passed and I am working well within my permissions if I do use waypoints.

 

[Bartman]

I'm looking ..............Let's discuss!

totally unrelated but I have to ask, any relation to Mr. Johnny Marr, famed guitarist for The Smiths?

not out of the question, right? same country, same last name...

 

[RCJardin]

Just completed the RPQs course and I am sure it was stated that the Ops Manual must include all flying modes to be used for them to be valid. Interpretation is the hardest part of jumping the hurdles towards CAA permissions.

 

[Carapau]

This is what makes me chuckle about the NQEs. They state that you must have it in your manual but that is simply not the case. There is absolutely no mention of waypoints in the ANO nor is there in permissions thus there is nothing to be open to interpretation. Providing you keep your distances and you unaided eye etc, you are operating quite within the regs. You can happily go for it without it being in the manual. I'm not sure why the NQEs insist on this as this is just another case where the NQEs have over stepped the mark (all be it with good intentions and I can understand why they do this to a point).

 

[Stratifier]

Just completed the RPQs course and I am sure it was stated that the Ops Manual must include all flying modes to be used for them to be valid. Interpretation is the hardest part of jumping the hurdles towards CAA permissions.

I think it's more about EVLOS or BVLOS and night flights rather than flying through the normal fly modes GPS, ATTI, and Manual. Waypoints is a regular flight mode.
If you specifically mention flight modes in your FRC's you may be tested on them by the NQE, but no need to put them in the manual. (AFAIK)

 

[MrMarr]

totally unrelated but I have to ask, any relation to Mr. Johnny Marr, famed guitarist for The Smiths?

not out of the question, right? same country, same last name...

'Fraid not Bartman, I wish! My last name is actually Harris. Most people know me as Marris, hence the 'Marr' contraction!

 

[Bartman]

'Fraid not Bartman, I wish! My last name is actually Harris. Most people know me as Marris, hence the 'Marr' contraction!

ok, i see stuff and can't help but ask!