Using a drone but where is OK

[7days1shower]

Originally Posted by Tony LEE

Perhaps you could narrow it down by giving us an itinerary first

Sorry, I completely missed this

It would mainly be in Mongolia and the Stans that I am concerned about

On one hand, there would be some great vast, open areas for stunning footage

On the other, a $2000 bit of kit being confiscated would sting

[arrius]

Well, there is a website called Find out where you can fly your drone - CanIflymydrone.com. If or when you have access to the internet, you can try checking it out the places you can or can't fly a drone.

[Aliprovidor]

I know for certain that you can't have a drone in Azerbidjan. Travelled across the Caspian from Kazakhstan with a Chinese television team and the customs seized their drones and told them they could have them back at the border when they leave.
Ali.

[maria41]

And what about southern African countries like South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique?


I am thinking about getting a drone to take photos, especially of wildlife, when we get there later next year. After all, photos are all we have left when a trip ends. I value them.


In another hand, might be more hassle than it is worth.... especially if we ship from Cape Town to the US... although I suppose I could post the drone back home from SA to the UK.

[wickychicky]

Hi Maria,

As far as i remember for South Africa and Uganda, you're supposed to have a little licence official, though i was never too sure with SA as to whether it was meant for pilots for commercial use only. I think the rest of the countries are ok.

I googled each country before we went and checked whatever came up, though the info is often outdated already. In the end, we tried to use ours in very quiet/remote places so as to minimise disruption to anyone and chances of being caught (just in case!).

BUT in all the countries you mention, you're not allowed to use a drone in the national parks (in some you are even supposed to declare them, hand them in and pick them back up when you leave...)

But for me, the regulations were less of an issue; it was more regarding the animals themselves and my own conscience.
It was after seeing a couple of drone videos on YouTube that I really started getting excited about our forthcoming trip and seeing how stunning the shots can be: especially the oh-so-graceful giraffes!

Then I watched the videos a bit more closely and I realised that the reason the animals are always moving is because they are trying to get away from the drone! The gadgets seem to emit some sound waves that we don't pick up as humans, but it is obviously really unpleasant for the animals.

Seeing as one of the main highlights of our Southern Africa tour is witnessing the animals and I certainly didn't want to interfere with their habitat and lives more than I am doing by being there in the first place.

From that moment on I swore we wouldn't use our drones for animal footage.

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not trying to be holier than thou, it just made such a huge impact on me!

But there are plenty of other opportunities for fabulous takes in the jaw-dropping countryside, apart from the animals.... as our trip is drawing to a close, I'm happy to sell you our DJI phantom 4 :-)

Helen

[maria41]

Thanks Helen for the answer. You raise some very valid good points.


I am quite undecided yet. I will see as we get closer to the departure date (later next year). I like to travel very light so not very keen on carrying extra electronic and potentially fragile stuff...

[Tony LEE]

Originally Posted by maria41

Thanks Helen for the answer. You raise some very valid good points.


I am quite undecided yet. I will see as we get closer to the departure date (later next year). I like to travel very light so not very keen on carrying extra electronic and potentially fragile stuff...

Good idea to get current information just before you leave because more and more prohibitions are being issued as the nuisance is being recognised.

If they produced a stealth unit it would help acceptance, but the combination of irritating noise and misuse by operators not considering peoples rights to peaceful enjoyment and privacy in tourist zones are only going to result in more and more restrictions - which is a pity for those who are responsible operators.

[JJay51]

For UK this is a good guide to use to ensure you are flying responsibly -

Drone code | Dronesafe

Bear in mind rules are about to change in July this year to tighten up a few things due to so many people buying them and flying them with no regard for following guidelines and laws.

I did see the videos for this years UK hubb having drone footage in, shame it was illegal being within 50 mtrs of people and probably uninsured for liability, did you know that the event organisers could in future also be liable to prosecution for any issues that may arise if something went wrong?

Also this app covers a lot of countries and gives you notice of no fly zones etc.and airspace restrictions so is a very useful resource for travellers -

https://www.uavforecast.com/#/