Flying at Dusk - Before Nightime

[Droider]

The clouds blew away, the wind dropped and for the first time in three weeks I went flying.. 6 packs later I was really having fun as the evening drew on. My Leatherman S3 100 lumen torch replacing the camera it was so easy to orientate the ADX3 and really enjoy the evening.. I did stop a few cars, scare a couple of pigeons and one passing mallard went into hawk evasive manoeuvres!

Best fun I have had in ages.

 

[CopterCam]

The additional navigational lights brings a whole new dimension to night flying............... what about giving us some AV of Southport at night. There's a challenge for you........?

Sid

 

[Macsgrafs]

Nice led's Dave, but I'm with Sid on this one...how about a night time shot of somewhere near you?

Ross

 

[Droider]

Its booked.. I am sacrificing my friday night magners and ice!

I am off tonight with my photographer mate to Crosby to film and take some shots of the big iron statues on the beach and in the sea..

Dave

 

[Droider]

Found this site last night.. Its a weird one but he has some really interesting lighting and he will custom make stuff.. Ill be ringing him today for some 5mm landing lights to go in my landing gear

http://www.lightingforaeromodellers.co.uk/

 

[Jake Bullit]

I predict another article in Lancashire Life:

http://forum.quadcopters.co.uk/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1305545917/3#3

and defo all the nutters on SouthportGB,maybe a few military conspiracy theories,and abductions.

 

[Macsgrafs]

Its booked.. I am sacrificing my friday night magners and ice!

I am off tonight with my photographer mate to Crosby to film and take some shots of the big iron statues on the beach and in the sea..

Dave

A small sacrifice Dave, think of the good of mankind (or us the small selfish lot who want photos)

Ross

 

[CopterCam]

There will be plenty other opportunities for Booze.............. think of the good light, it's not to be wasted. I was on a Golf Course at 7am this morning, aah! Summer.

Looking forward to your imaging and I commend your self denial.........

Sid

 

[Droider]

Just a quick heads up.. my topic title is a bit misleading. It has been pointed out to me now that night flying is illegal. The thread should have been called dusk flying.

UK - NIGHT is classified as starting 1/2 an hour before sunset to 1/2 an hour after sun rise.

This has been pointed out to me by two people now, one shall remain anonymous but the other one was the lovely gentleman who makes up the led lighting systems. Ross has worked for the CAA for over 35 years and the first thing he asked me when I enquired about his lighting systems was " now before I sell them to you you arent thinking of using them at night are you"
Lovely chap to talk to and very very helpful. His web site may not be the most advanced but his personal service is what it used to be like.. good on him.

So please everyone check the regulations in your neck of the woods before venturing out and ensure your packed up and on your way home before you cause issues.

Dave

 

[Gary Mortimer]

Night flying has never been legal for RC aircraft. If you think about it you need to be able to detect sense and avoid. Its another thing that is gaining ground amongst newcomers that is causing the CAA to get nervous.

As you have found out the CAA are really pro model aircraft, and I think thats reflected in the regs we have. Other countries are not as fortunate.

Its the other way round for the timings

you can take off 30 minutes before sunrise and must land by 30 minutes after sunset if that makes any sense. Hang on let me find the official.

Heres a take on it from Blackpool Heli people http://www.heliblackpool.co.uk/night-qualification.htm

Oh by hanging the camera off, you are a sUAS and that by definition makes you an aircraft and subject to the ANO

Lets not let this degenerate into a legality thread though, Im looking forward to seeing the Gormly stuff at dusk.

 

[Gary Mortimer]

I am cursing you for mentioning Magners and ice though.

Coming from Somerset that's just not on, but I do fancy some cider for sunset so am off to the shops.

 

[Droider]

So I flew before nightime...but as it happened circumstances made me have to retire well before official nightime.

This is was half an hour before disaster! .. who said lugworms were endangered.. check out the casts!

 

[CopterCam]

Nice !
Did you fly out to that Ship for a close up shot ?

Sid

 

[Jake Bullit]

They must have different rules for night flying in Korea.........

Looks great though