RC Aircraft/UAV avoiding controlled/restricted airspace

thelikelylad

Hi guys,

I was wondering if any of you had guidance or tips for avoiding and staying well clear of controlled or restricted airspace while flying.

I have a basic Radian glider that I fly from time to time in west Cork, well clear of Cork airport and my nearest aerodrome EIBN. (Avoiding built up areas/people, under 400 feet, line of sight - all that good stuff)

Recently I've been looking into getting a quadcopter with the aim of shooting some landscape photos/video (non-commercial), so I'd like to hop in the car and get some shots in more exotic places than my local flying spot - without breaking the law/rules of course.

That has lead me to do some research on the IAA's 'rules of the sky' for RPAS and small aircraft. In the IAA Drones and Model Aircraft Q&A doc I see;

c) Where may I NOT operate my RPAS (except with the permission of IAA Flight Operations and
permission from Air Traffic Control):

Both the Q&A doc and Irish Aviation Authority (Rockets and Small Aircraft) Order, 2000 clearly state to avoid "controlled, segregated or restricted airspace;"

Makes sense of course, but bear in mind that I have limited experience with aviation charts, as would a lot of newbies who are buying drones now, how can I be sure I'm not flying in or close to 'controlled' airspace ? I've been looking at skyvector.com just to get an idea of possible controlled airspace. Looking over the Cork airspace I can see that this includes the Old Head of Kinsale, I know alot of people fly around here, is this against the 'rules'?

Similarly looking over Dublin, I see that Phoenix Park seems to be in controlled airspace right? Yet people fly here. I know there are clubs that may have special arrangements but is it against the rules for anyone to fly here without permission?

Apologies if this is a bit long-winded, I could be completely misinterpreting the guidelines from the IAA :P Would appreciate some feedback - I mean do people go out and buy VFR/aviation charts in order to ensure where they are flying is out of controlled airspace?


Thanks

civdef

That's actually a very good point. I have VFR charts personally, but it's not the easiest to find the info online.

This is the best I've found:
http://notaminfo.com/irelandmap
Shows NOTAMS, restricted, prohibited areas etc etc.



The IAA website has a fair bit of data, but most of it is tabular and difficult to visualise:

https://www.iaa.ie/Airspace-PBN-TA-ACP-FUA
EG this one is important to be aware of:
https://www.iaa.ie/media/ProhibitedandDangerAreasDirection1006041.pdf

Always worth keeping an eye on the TRA section, which is regularly updated and covers public events etc.

thelikelylad

This is the best I've found:
http://notaminfo.com/irelandmap
Shows NOTAMS, restricted, prohibited areas etc etc.

Nice, thanks! That's really handy. Yeah I came across info on TRA and that PDF on restricted areas seems to cover restricted airspace.

So I guess my main concern is 'controlled' airspace. Let's take Knock airport for example, so according to notaminfo.com: CONNAUGHT CTR HOURS OF OPS/SERVICE Connaught CTR which effectively is like an 18km radius around Knock airport is active. So according to the IAA rules, one couldn't fly an RPAS/RC aircraft in this area during these times as it is 'Controlled' airspace? Even if they are 10km+ from the airport boundary/flight path, below 400 feet, line of sight etc. ?

I found this on Reddit, someone made a 'No Fly zone' map for drone users in the US. Not sure how accurate it is but it would be cool to have something like it here.

civdef

For RPAS - the situation is that flight in controlled airspace needs permission from IAA.

The requirements for model aircraft are a bit different, and set out in the SI you mentioned - so this comes down to the use - and if it's purely recreational.

Firefox11

Just Listening to the News there. There was a guy from the IAA saying that drone regulations are changing. He was saying that any drone over 1Kg in weight will now need to be registered with the IAA. Or was this always the case?

https://www.iaa.ie/RPAS

tawnyowl

Firefox11 wrote: »

Just Listening to the News there. There was a guy from the IAA saying that drone regulations are changing. He was saying that any drone over 1Kg in weight will now need to be registered with the IAA. Or was this always the case?

https://www.iaa.ie/RPAS

The register is planned to be up and running from December 21st, according to this article:
http://www.irishtimes.com/business/technology/drone-register-features-app-detailing-permitted-flying-areas-1.2422081

Alexthegrater

There's an excellent Android app on Google play UAV forecast, give weather conditions and 'no-fly' zones.