In my view Shaun, the drone regulation landscape has been a case study in utter incompetence, in an areana that was already safe and responsible and clearly not in need of regulation. Unnecessary regulation is bad regulation that does not serve anyone. In my view the hobby should be mounting a much more robust response and pushing back against the need for regulation that seems cryptic, confusing, poorly implemented and demonstrably unnecessary based on the safety record.
Hey Tim! Robust response and accountability is vital. Especially now. We will be promoting any public consultation as much as possible to try and get as much engagement as possible. It is vital we use our voices.
I’m undertaking the A2 C of C even though I only have a DJI Mini2. I see it as an introduction course of good practice rather than being left to work it out myself and making it up as I go along. I think it’s just piece of mind for me knowing the basic’s and a very good solid start of the journey becoming a good drone pilot.
Thanks Ian. It has been really interesting to see just how many sub 250g users are still taking the A2 for the knowledge. It is excellent and makes an A1 CofC seem a sensible future product.
@@Geeksvana I also took the A2 CoC even though my drone is a mini 2, The course was well worth the discounted price of £40. I feel far more informed and confident with the knowledge the course gave me when I fly my drone.
I was about to buy the Mavic 3 classic and do my A2 cofc but held off the the CAA announcement. I've decided not to buy the M3 and can see no point in taking the A2 cofc.
Having flown UAV’s for 12 years (starting in the States and moving here to UK the last 5 years). And having gone through all the fcc and caa courses to gain permissions needed to fly in less restricted areas. All I can say is that it’s all complete nonsense now! I have zero respect for the CAA as they’ve treated us drone pilots like shite. They are all over the place and now have me feeling like fook it. I’ll just do whatever I please now with my drone. I’ve followed all the rules. Spent thousands doing it the correct way only to be treated like crap. 😡😡
Hi Sean, if it has any advantage or not in the future, I’m happy I had to do more studying for it than the basic flyer id. Thanks for another excellent analysis.
I feel the entire process has been a shambles from day 1. If it’s really about risk and keeping people safe then make it simple, make it cheap and make it easy to understand. If there’s a frame work in place that’s been worked on and adopted by the majority then use it, don’t just move the goal posts when ever the CAA and DFT feel like it because there incompetence is showing through. A lot of time and money will have been spent by many people, including myself, which is for nothing it seems. I feel strongly about flying drones safely, but I feel this will push a lot of people to fly as they see fit with no regards to made up rules which change at a moments notice for no reason, especially as the level of enforcement couldn’t really be lower.
Hi Sean, Great vid as usual. I'm currently studying the material for the A2CofC, not got around to taking the test yet. I've no (immediate) intention of flying bigger drones. The reason I'm taking it is two fold. Firstly, knowledge. I'd like to make sure I'm flying as safe as I can and secondly, competence. Should I ever have a 'meeting' with an over zealous pc whilst out and about and it ended up going down the legal route, I'd hope the certificate would demonstrate I've gone above what is required to fly the drone I own. That and my third party insurance.
I have a MIni 3 Pro and A2 C of C. For me the certificate is still of value, I can fly my Mini 3 with anti-collision strobes within the sub 500g rules. I agree, the course included a lot of useful info, worthwhile whatever category I fly in. Addition to comment: I think it likely the CAA's plans have been derailed by the Government, who in September announced, "all retained EU laws will be sunset on 31 December 2023". The Governments ideological position does not leave any room to add new EU rules, however sensible they are.
Hey Adrian! Thank you for joining the conversation! I have spoken to a lot of people flying sub 250g who took the A2, for the knowledge and flexibility, which is excellent.
Hey David! Article 16 is a different approach. As you can only fly from leisure locations like parks and beaches, (needing to stick to those locations whilst in flight as well), I find Article 16 very useful but more restrictive in some ways.
Thanks for the video. I still feel my A2 CofC is of value as at least I can continue to fly my Mavic 2 Pro with a 50M separation as opposed to 150M if I hadn’t have completed the course. For closer work, my Mini 2 has proven what a great bit of kit it is also 👍😁 Interested to see what is gonna happen here in the UK with regards to C Marking etc
Hi. I have a mavic pro 2. Haven't used it in a while. Just redid my flyer and operator ID. Question is I'm thinking of doing A2cofc however even the company have said that after Dec 2025 even with A2 cofc will put me back into the A3 category 150 meters away from parks beaches etc whats tour thoughts?
Top video. For me every drone operator should do the course as always knowledge I king!! I’m a lot more confident flying my drones after passing the A2 cofc but very disappointed in the CAA that they have not delivered. Been waiting over a year to get a new drone become of the c mark as soon as the news broke I got the mini 3 pro!!! Keep up the good work mate 👍🏻
Having held the PFCO for two years prior to the A2CofC coming out. Then passing the A2CofC exam. I feel that it's at the right level to allow the same separation for a drone of 2kg and below as a novice has flying a below 250g drone. No Doubt the CAA will come out with another type of certificate but let's hope common sense prevails!
DJI SPARK,2017 300 Gram I Have and Will Be able To Fly This Drone in (A1 Airspace) for Total Of 9 Years, Thank You A2Cofc JAN 2021 for Allowing Me to Fly It until Jan 2026. Await Successor to DJI MINI 3 PRO, But Would Love to See MAVIC AIR 2/3S Under 500 Gram Weight Using Latest Tech. Sorry for People Who Hoped and Wished Mavic 3 Classic Would Be Allowed in A1 Airspace, Great Drone Quiet When Flying It Using Latest Cutting-Edge Technology In 2023. However, There Still May Be Some Adjustments Made in the Future Months Ahead, In These Rather Confusing Times. (2017-2020) Happier Times Flying Drones.
The course leading up to the A2 exam is really interesting. The modules are well worth doing . If you are serious about drones as a hobby or otherwise it’s worth doing the course .
I have given up with the dads army syndrome of stumbling thru this fiasco .got id and basic cert thats all i shall be getting.they can go swivel on anything else
I have been considering taking my A2 CofC and completed 75% of my training offered free by UAVHUB, my interest was potential commercial operations which needs insurance (although you can still get commercial insurance without A2 C ofC) and to assure clients of my competency. The rule changes have made me hesitate and I was hoping the "C" certification was going to clear things up. I hasn't so I will just carry on as I am until after 2026, this has made me decide not to get a Mavic 3, keep my Mavic zoom as a legacy drone and get daily commercial insurance if I need it as I already have recreational insurance.
Thanks for the Video. I just completed my A2 CFC and actualy found it useful for the extra knowledge and confidence that brings. With a Mavic 3 Classic on my shopping list it does give me the added benefit of only 50M separation instead of 150M which will certainly help. I rarely fly in congested areas anyway as I prefer to keep away from people for more relaxed flying situations. I'm still glad I did the course.
I’m hoping that people that have done the A2 CofC can have few restrictions than someone without it , I’ve just done mine so will be a waste of time and money 😢
i'm almost done studying the course and might book the exam next week. just to get that 50m distance really now the c1 means nothing on the mavic 3 classic i got.
Seems like yet another slap in the face for hobbyists like myself that have done the A2 and are trying to do everything right to stay within the rule's, I'm starting to think what's the point I'll go fly wherever I want as the CAA continuously knock us down
This is part of the issue at the moment. Confusion and too many changes breed non-compliance which hurts us all in the end. But when they move things too many times it is a natural response.
Another informative video. I have been flying a couple of years now. I initially did my online test with CAA as wanted to know the in's and out's as wanted to fly in a safe and legal manner. More recently I did my UK drone law certificate too and was looking at doing my A2 c of c this winter, whilst I have a little more time on my hands. I am now putting this on the backburner as I only fly sub 250g drones anyway currently. I agree that anyone with the A2 c of c should be allowed to fly heavier drones with a closer separation distance and I think the CAA have kind of shot themselves in the foot with this as there will be many more like me, who will hold back, instead of becoming even better pilots perhaps.
I took the A2 C of C and agree was of value, for knowledge purposes only, with UAVHUB and does allow me to fly to 50 metres and even 30 metres if you join FPV UK (Article 16), with my Mavic 2 pro. I was however going to upgrade to the Mavic Classic but now that rug has been firmly pulled from under us in the UK! Can only see me upgrading from my other drone, mini 2 onto Mini 3 pro now!
Sean .. I sat my A2 CofC not long after buying my Air 2 and upgraded to an Air 2s. I was happy to pay my yearly CAA fee and the fee to sit my A2 course. With all this nonsense coming out constantly I have decided drone flying is now not worth all the hurdles and confusion being constantly thrown up , and have now sold all my drone equipment and am done with the hobby ... Right now I feel I just wasted money for nothing to sit my course and the CAA just don't have a clue.
Hi Sean. Great video. I never saw the A2CofC as anything other than a means of operating sub 500g at reduced clearances. The A2/C2 aspect was always going to be niche because of the 1:1 rule. Although this rule was in the shape of "guidance", I understand it will find its way into a firmer form of law through the Acceptable Means of Compliance document which the CAA will release soon. As ever, my views on this are probably too complex for a simple comment. This is clearly a developing situation with legs so it will be fascinating to see how it develops.
I have recently done my A2 CofC for 2 reasons. I like to learn and wanted to use the Plus Battery in my Mini 3 pro which would take it over 250g. Having the A2 allows me to do that and I can't see that changing anytime soon regardless of current speculation. I am now looking at the GVC course. All good stuff!!
Ah, that's exactly why I am considering the A2 CofC, I want to use the "Plus" battery on the Mini 4 Pro to take longer hyperlapses in congested areas, so the certificate allows you to do that for 5 years, or until 2026, or it doesn't at all? - it's so difficult to get a clear answer for this!
I did the A2CofC to be able to fly my Mavic Air similar to a sub 250g drone. I can now continue to do that for a few more years even though I own the Mini 3 Pro now too. Selling the Mavic Air is difficult so keeping it as a spare is ok for me now. Maybe dead for some but also handy for others.
On your Mini 3 Pro, does the A2CofC allow you to use the "Plus" battery that adds a bit of extra flight time but pushes it a little above 250g? - if so, is that until expiry, or just until 2026?
@@DigiDriftZone Yes I can use the larger battery on the Mini 3 Pro with the A2CofC as long as there’s no intentional flight over uninvolved people. I can do so until the legacy period ends on the 1st January 2026 or whenever my A2CofC expires which for me is just 3 days short of that anyway. I should really try to get the plus battery especially for a hyperlapse.
@@daz1969That's good to know, I think I'll do that for that purpose specifically. I did my first hyperlapse of a sunset yesterday and wished I had an extra 10 minutes of battery on my Mini 4 Pro :)
I've thrown myself in the deep end and bought a Mavic 3 pro as my first drone. Never flown a drone before except having a go at a friends mini 2 for 10 minutes and fell in love. I already have a A1 & A3 Open sub category flyer ID and Operator ID which I did even before buying my drone. Now it is sitting in on my table staring at me and asking "When are you going to fly me?" while I am researching to make sure that I fly it proper and responsibly. As an indie filmmaker I would like to use this drone for making films. Being able to fly in congested places and near people if possible. Any guidance will be very very very much appreciated. :)
It’s very disappointing really, but I am not surprised. I think the implementation of rules started as a knee jerk reaction to some bad press and never got far enough past that. When I think I flew model helicopters for years with only a BMFA certification which was very basic, those things weighed well over 2kg some of the scale ones above 10kg and were like a flying lawn mower, which makes my Mavic 3 look like a toy compared with the damage a heli could do. That said I have an A2 CofC as a stepping stone to a GVC which I’m working on, and would agree with Sean, that it’s a great way to educate people and give them the tools needed to fly safely. I personally feel that all drones could be registered at point of purchase and those buying them would need to do the DMARES before they could fly them and get their operator ID. I’ve met too many people who think it’s ok to fly with no regard or no knowledge of any of the regulations and can’t understand why they can’t go higher. I think if we’re going to regulate, start at the beginning of people’s drone journey and don’t penalise those who have studied hard to understand how to be better and safer drone pilots.
Hey Simon! Thank you for joining the conversation! I think part of the issue is trying to regulate for the use of drones by a much wider user group. Camera drones are so simple to fly these days that many owners are not experienced and that presents challenges.
@@Geeksvana Thanks Sean, I think you’re providing a very important perspective on RU-vid, outside of just drone reviews and tutorials, there are few who discuss these issues in any depth.
Hi Sean, as someone who has recently taken up the hobby of drone flying for recreational purposes, this can all be very overwhelming tying to understand all the different rules and regulations. I recently bought myself a DJI mini 3 pro because of it falls into the sub 249g category. I love the freedom I have with it. As much as I would love to get a Mavic 3 or and air 2s, I’m not too sure either of these would be of any benefit to me. Which recently got me thinking! Maybe, the CAA and DfT could bring in a sub 500g category. If you have a sub 500g drone and you take the A2 CofC then you have the same freedom as 249g currently have. As regards to the A2 CofC, I personally think this should be the new DMARES test and if you pass the A2 CofC, then you get your Operators ID and flyers ID as well. Currently, I’m not too sure the A2 CofC would be beneficial to me because there is still a 50m restriction, however, I think flying under article 16 would be beneficial for me and other recreational flyers.
I would have loved to have seen the A2 CofC include drones up the 4KG, so that I could use my Inspire, but it was worth the knowledge doing it anyway. It had a lot of info in the course similar to when I started training to become a pilot, which was very useful. That being said, I now have to rely on Article 16 to be able to get the Inspire in the air with any reasonable separation. It all seems so fractured and messy.
New drone flyer here having recently picked up a Mini 3 Pro, very glad i stumbled across your channel as the regulation seems to be a complete minefield that's ever changing. It was easy enough to work out I needed a Operator ID, and the associated Flyer ID while i was at it all before i purchased the drone. Otherwise information seems very scattered and hard to find unless you know where to look. I was considering the A2 CofC as much for the training as I don't plan on flying any drones above the sub 250g bracket anytime soon and will probably still do so. However other than being a training and competency resource it seems to be somewhat redundant without the new C classifications given the manufactures focus on either sub 250g drones or getting the EU C1 classification.
I also see with this confusion people will just start flying rogue due to the unclear rules and in your previous video with some councils making up rules for no drone flights (when perfectly safe), don't want them taking over. I hope UK doesn't go down route of remote ID like America but I do like their LANNC to get quick access to safe airspace this something needed in UK, EU and Canada.
I bought and paid for the course more than a year ago but never had the time to do it. I've finally had the chance, so I have been going through the UAVHUB course, and my conclusion was that it was almost entirely useless in terms of allowing me to do commercial work with it, I have the Mavic Air 2S. A complete waste of money in that regard. But I certainly do see the value in completing the course and will do so.
I thought with drones that fall in to the C2 class / A2 Category- could be flown as close as 5mtrs to uninvolved people (if in slow mode) so long as you hold an A2 CofC cert - So theoretically, certificate holders could still fly sub 4kg drones (such as the new Mavic 3 Pro) 5mtrs from uninvolved people is put in to low speed mode (which it can) - have i miss understood??
Not in the UK. The DfT/CAA decided to not accept C class drones in the UK. This means C1, C2 rated drones etc are legacy drones the same as any others sadly.
What if the CAA made the A2coc the new standard in terms of replacing the Demares? It might make more sense to ensure that all air users then had a qualification, especially with the changes in airspace use that is on the horizon.
Hi shaun. Been following this channel an a few others for a while now. I purchased a dji mini 2 then upgraded to the mini 3 Pro. I spoke to uav hub who confirmed that to use this for commercial work. The only things I would require is a risk assessment and public liability insurance. Then I'm good to go. Owing to the fact that mini 3 Pro is very capable an will do everything I require I don't feel the need to use larger or heavier drones at this time.
I’ve had my A2 CofC for 2 years and im glad I’ve done it for the knowledge. I find the qualification pretty pointless and even more so after watching your video. I’m glad I went down the mini 3 pro route as the UK Drone rules for anything over 250g are just ridiculous.
Wasn't the A2CoC supposed to be valid for 5 years? So if I was to take the course now it would effectively only be guaranteed for three? Is there not then currently some kind of breach of contract and (admittedly unintentional) mis-selling happenning here. Trainees should expect the knowledge they are given and tested on to be correct for the period the course orginally promises. With no new rules set out or likely to be in the near future how on earth can anyone be expected to trust the course content. I feel for training providers but kind of leaves new drone flyers in a state of limbo. Perhaps we'll see discounts for the current (now 3 year) A2CofC courses?
Yes think they need to sort some kind of platform out and fast to keep a bit stability or people will start to ignore the changes and that will only make issues worse. I passed my a2cofc there and enjoyed the learning and think the course holds something as for knowledge but not much more.My plan also was to buy the Dji air 2s but might change this to mini pro now.
Im kind of glad I haven't taken it yet, what a burden this is though. Hopefully anyone with the A2CofC can be grandfathered and transition to the new certification.
I have had a PfCO for four years and mainly use a couple of Yuneec drones weighing about 1.95kg. The A2CofC which I obtained last year gives me nothing useful under the current situation except a pretty badge to show people.
Tbh Sean, I’m getting more and more jaded about the whole hobby. I did my A2CofC about 2 years ago, but now feel it’s pretty worthless. The rules and regs become more and more complicated for anything over 250g, the hobby seems to get more and more of a bad name, and the number of idiots flying dangerously or just breaking rules for fun seems to grow and grow. And the aggression shown should you make comment about those broken rules is becoming more and more horrible. Maybe I’m just feeling a bit low ‘cos the Cornish weather has been so shit recently and I haven’t got out to fly in weeks. Personally. I think a lot of the problems have been caused by the lack of regulation for sub 250g bringing too many idiots into the hobby. But then I suppose that’s a whole separate subject.
I feel your pain Jeremy and you make some very good points. The decline in requirement for training that the sub 250g boom has caused is a real concern. I have a feeling however that once this current wave of change and confusion settles down, we will have a much stronger base to work from in six months time. Or perhaps I am being too optimistic.
Views of Cornwall? You mean you manage to find somewhere in Cornwall to legally fly?! I too am down in the pointy bit of the country and am similarly jaded by the number of idiots I come across ... even one flying down into Godrevy and the seals beached there ... but also jaded by how much land down here is owned by those that blanket prohibit even those of us that fly responsibly. I'm rather tired of going up and down in my back garden! 😅
@@CMP-zt5jl I’m lucky in that I have a friend with a decent sized boat that I regularly use for TOAL that helps with loads of the Nat Trust areas. Lands End ATC and Culdrose ATC have always been very helpful with permissions to fly too
People are forgetting that we already had the rights to fly to start with and they were taken away the moment regulation was allowed to be put in place without a risk assessment demonstrating the need for it. Hobbyists warned this would happen but commercial operators were only to happy to throw hobbyists under the bus if it meant their "Investment" in DJI Inspire's and PfCO courses was protected - they became gatekeepers to the right to fly and anyone flying not in accordance with some silly certificate but AS THEY HAD BEEN DOING FOR YEARS was now labelled a danger and threatened with action. Do some reading into the past - forums are full of predictions that this would happen and it has. The fault lies with the hypocrites who suddenly smelled a business opportunity with their newly purchased drones and were happy to shaft their peers to make a bit of money. Don't act surprised.
IF DJI Could Release Mavic Air 2/3S Weight Just Under 500 Grams Using the Very Latest Technology, Having or Getting A2Cofc Would Bring This Mid-Size Drone Into (A1 Category) For UK Flying, Now We Know What Is Ahead Till 2026.
I have not completed my A2CofC .Is there any point in doing so now? I did it for the knowledge and safety aspect as I fly a Mini3 and dont intend to fly anything else
So there is no point taking it then if it’s not recognised. I have a Mavic Pro, a few years old now. It’s technology is more up to date that CAA drone legislation.
Thanks for the informative video . In the situation, that at times I'd like to recreationally fly a 700g (C1) air 3 drone instead of operate it commercially, I was considering doing the C of C simply to avoid the arduous flight planning I have to do if flying it under the GVC rules, I'm put off doing that now hearing this. It's already very confusing, and seems more so by the day What's best ? Join FPVUk and fly recreationally under article 16 or just fly the DJI air 3 under A3 of the open category with it's distance limitations ? It's a year on from this video date, has the likelihood of getting C certified drones got any better ? I do hope so 🙏
Thank for the video. I was in the process of going through the A2 C of C because I wanted to fly with less restriction and gain some extra knowledge, but if the CAA are changing the rules again, what do I need? I fly mainly FPV (under 500g) after the category rules made me sell my Mavic Pro. I'm flying as a hobbyist looking to sell footage
If you are flying mainly sub 500g FPV, the A2 CofC would actually be of decent use to you. There is an allowance meaning anything sub 500g can be flown in the A1 airspace, so congested areas and without any separation of uninvolved people, just no intentional flight over people. It is expected to stay in place until 2026, so it could be a decent move for you to open up airspace. The hardest hit by this are camera drone flyers as there are so few sub 500g drones.
@@Geeksvana Many thanks. I just didn't want to go through all the hassle I had when I first got into drones. Atm, I'm flying on my own private field, so I don't have the issue with uninvolved people atm. 👍
Hi, I'm about to buy the mavic 3 classic to take pictures of building sites that im working on. Which licence would let me do this? I know I'll need public liability insurance. I'm currently using a mini 2 se but want something beefier
Hi, just came across your channel. I'm a bit confused with it all, regulations etc....I'm an established photographer here in South Wales, and used the Mavic Mini 1 and 2 for overhead shots and footage for my photography page, and the FB community page I run within our community. All the footage of local history etc is restricted and owned by Cadw, who won't let you drone over Castles and points of interests, which then cannot be brought back for community interest viewing, with a topic of conversation and nostalgia. I want better footage so will need to go up to an Air2s or Mavic 3 pro, but don't really want to fork out for the A2 CofC as then restricted of the footage I want to film. If you are paying out £100 for a licence, I feel I should be able to fly over anything in a safe and professional manner. If you are restricted on Welsh culture, with no drones allowed to cover it, I'm not forking out £££ due to needing the camera/lens upgrade, not the overall drone weight. If only they could cram a 1in lens with manual depth of field options in a 249g drone, which would be pure bliss. Yes, I got an OP id and licenced for 249g. Where can I go from here? ( or just fork out on a used £1000 wildlife lens).
Hello I have just watched your video. Very good thanks. Could you please clarify where we can fly. There are many sites like DJI and Drone Angle that have maps showing no flight zones, nottems, but they show different areas. Which ones are correct? Thanks for your time and please keep us informed. Philip
Hi Shaun, I'd have to agree with Tim Long and perhaps go further. The current rules are written to appease the ignorant with little if any basis in science, restricting things that are generally safe but allowing things that aren't. No drone of any size should be closer than say 10 meters of uninvolved people (bubble, not horizontal) unless landing at the take off point. I certainly wouldn't like an unknown drone flying closer to me than that. Flying over people is 100% safe, flying towards within 50 horizontal meters could be dangerous in the event of a drone failure. I would therefore suggest a basic set of rules rules:- up to 250g max, minimum distance 10m, less than 1kg - 20 metres, 2kg - 30m, 25kg - 100m. No flight towards uninvolved people within 50m horizontally (or 100m for large craft). A2 CofC holders can also fly 1 level nearer beyond 20M so 20M>2kg, 30 meters large craft etc up to a max speed of say 10m/sec. No hovering over uninvolved people or within 10m horizontally. No flight over crowds, built up residential areas and occupied commercial buildings apart from your own by anyone apart from A2 CofC holders and max 250g drone. No hovering or slow flying by any pilot over any crowd or building other than your own or with the owners/occupiers permission. Line of site defined as a direct un-interupted line from the pilot up to the drone and at a max distance where a drones location can be determined in relation to the ground and other craft for any drone with accurate GPS and return to home function (regularly tested to be working by the pilot) and an overall maximum of say 750m but this could be much less if the pilot does not know the flight area. 300m max for drones without a functioning GPS RTH. (note you don't need to actually see a drone to know where it is if you know the area well and just being able to see it only tells you the bearing, not the distance hence knowing its location is what matters so the limit is more in relation to being able to judge the proximity of another craft as you should know where the drone is in 3 dimensions, if you don;t, it is too far away) Flights not allowed within the above limits need further qualifications. Perhaps some more odds and sods or tweaking needed and some will probably tear me to bits but whatever we end up with it must be actually safety based, reasonable and attainable. The should be qualifications such as A2 CofC or similar and also above and these must also show real value to those that have taken them and incentivise others to take them in the future. The above is aimed at copters, fixed wing should probably follow the existing and way more sensible article 16 regs having been designed in consultation with clubs.
Hey Mick! I like the thought of using separation as a safety measure and interestingly many people have commented who purchased the Mavic 3 Classic that they feel uncomfortable flying very close to people. There are always issues in terms of enforcement with separation distances but I would have no issue with it being the base of a system.
As a happy(ish) holder of a UK CofC living in the South West although I am certainly glad to have done it, it quickly became apparent with the National Trust owning half of the countryside and coastline around me, English Heritage or National Parkland and attractions most of what's left, the opportunities to fly are almost non-existent anyway outside of my own property without travelling considerable distances! I'm afraid I've rather given up on the UK as a place to fly, taken an EASA CofC (via Ireland) and the EU is where I shall be following my hobby in future. Mavic3 Classic on order! It is still irritating however when you're out and about just how many people buy a drone, throw it in the air and are either oblivious to the regulations or stick two fingers up at the whole regulation thing anyway ... with seemingly little to challenge them. If you try to politely educate you just get a load of abuse and told where to shove your advice! 🙂
Hey CM P! Thanks for taking the time to comment, it is a frustration when trying to help others as they rarely see we are all just trying to protect our rights over drone use.
Jesus .... my mind is blown .. I have a mini 2 .. I was about to buy an air2s now I have experienced smaller drone, do I still take the A2 course or not bother ??!?! I'm sponsored lost with this ...
I've been flying for two years and on my second drone Mini3 Pro. Just purchased the Mavic 3 Classic, it's arrived and I have started course study intending to take my A2 Cofc test before the month's end (if I can). Am I right to assume that even if I take the test in January it's the drone that meets the legacy requirement and not the test?
I dont seen any videos on what it means for someone with a 249g drone and purchase accessories for it which tips it over the 249g mark. Does it suddenly fit into the next category with restrictions just because someone chooses to be safe and add strobe lights or landing gear? If this is the case its not a good incentive to be safe when you can fly closer just due to a few grams difference, in reality does a drone with landing gear on make it that more dangerous that you have to be 100 meters further away?
No but I guess like with all things in life when it comes to safety they have to set a line somewhere. It does seem a little silly only being a few grams over but I guess they have to draw the line somewhere.
hi shaun i am new to your channel well only subscribed tonight and i am a bit confused and would like some help. i will be buying a dji mavic 2 pro on tuesday and during the weekend i will be taking the caa theory test for my operator and flyer id is there anything else that i have to do to be legal to fly this drone in a normal everyday situation please help!!!!. many thanks i have watched and liked alot of your videos now and i am learning alot. peter from birmingham uk
Having just bought a DJI Avata in the last couple of days, I was preparing to set up and take the A2CoC. Now seeing this I'm not so sure. Do I have to take it or not now? I agree it can only benefit me with the knowledge to fly responsibly but I'm highly unlikely to ever want to fly over of near people/built up areas so where do I stand with the law? Great vids by the way!
Hey! Thanks for the kind words. The A2 CofC is actually very useful with the Avata. As the Avata is under 500g, with an A2 cert you can fly it within the A1 category - so pretty much same as sub 250g just without intentional flight over people. Otherwise, the Avata is banished to the A3 category. So for your use case with that drone, I would 100% recommend getting an A2 CofC.
I was thinking of doing the course but don't see any point with what is going on with the rules I can fly using article 16 while it has it benefits it also has its restrictions. I personally would love to see bvlos and even doing a course for more advanced flyers. And be certified, but we have to remember a lot of us are just hobbiest and enjoy a quick flight. And if drone users are getting confused, what's the general public and maybe local police are going to be even more confused.
wow i am just starting on my journey of drone flying and only have a drone in the under 250g . but have an eye on professional training . but it looks a mine field and expansive and will it be worth it ? . can you make a decent living from this in the uk . would love your thoughts especially as the regulations seem to be fluid and changing for the worse .
A2 CofC is ideal for the Avata. It gives you access to the A1 airspace with sub 500g drones. You have one of the few use cases to benefit from holding the certificate.
I'm confused, if I get A2 CofC now (March 2024), will I be able to fly A1 with my Mini 4 using the "Plus" battery (above 250g but below 500g) until 2026 and then I'll only be able to fly A2, is that correct?
@DigiDriftZone No... the great news is that the CAA are expected to allow C1 drones in the UK A1 category. DJI provide a C1 sticker for the Mini if flying with the larger battery. We will also be able to fly drones like the Air 3 in the A1 sub cat as well. So at least they are giving us another option.
@@Geeksvana Oh brilliant! - So today if I wanted to fly my Mini 4 Pro with a larger battery, I would need to do A2 CofC, but once C1 is recognised (hopefully in 2026), that becomes redundant, got you, thank you!
The CAA do love messing us Drone Operators about, what a joke. The amount of time we spend learning the ever changing parameters allowing us to fly is beyond belief. I spent a lot of money gaining a PFCO only to have to change it all to continue doing what i was already doing . There should be a law in place that stops such actions . Now potentially dropping the C rating and making the A2 a worthless qualification is another blow to operators. utter madness.
There is only one reasonable rule for drone pilots right now. Go into a field, far away from people and only fly there. Even then, expect to be harassed by the police and other members of the public who "don't like drones". Beware of local councils making up their own rules for what you can and cannot do, and then publicize the hell out of it, so members of the public can act as a free extension to council "policing". There is no one in the UK who stands up as a supporter and protector for drone enthusiasts and their right to pursue their hobby. My A2 CofC has been rendered worthless and I would have been better off not bothering and joining the masses of sub 250g Mavic Mini Pro users.
What I think? The CAA haven't a clue what they want to do or what they're doing, other than differ from the EU for the sake of it and make it as difficult for hobbyists with something >250g to use their drones outside of open, deserted countryside. Which means non-pros won't register and wont use their drones safely. and who's going to do anything about it anyway?
@@Geeksvana You know what I find even more annoying Sean? It's that, say last year, It sounded to me that the CAA were on our side, they were listening and trying to make a system that worked for users. Now...? No! Pull the rug out from under us and leave us hanging. I don't know how we got from there to here!
I think we are closer than it seems at the moment. I have a strong hope that after a few more weeks of confusion ahead we will actually end up in a stronger position. To me it is all about communication. This was all known many months ago but they waited for C1 drones to be released to announced the changes.
teaches you about weather...... "Should you fly your drone if the wind is knocking trees down and frightening the Met Office?" A:F*ck No B:No Flying Cows, I'm Good! C:Hurt me plenty! ......................... These COC courses were just a grift, who certified them to do any training? And with no practical training involved it was all comically stupid! The ones that offered the course with a free hi-vis vest, some cones and a landing pad were the funniest.
