The truth is @Hercules is going to have an uphill battle to convince current CFAVs that anything will be simple when it comes to drone operations. Not their fault; comms have been poor on this topic up until now, and the suggestions have been for ridiculous rules that mean whilst the subject could technically be delivered, the rules around such delivery would essentially prevent it. As a side note, those people who have been around RAFAC for a while know that this is not exactly limited to drones.
Hercules - for your part, some of your comments here read as though they’re intended to be snarky. I understand you’ll be frustrated by reading things you feel are incorrect and that affect your area of responsibility, but do bear in mind that 99% of the people on this forum will be the people to deliver your area for you. That perceived snarkiness is currently directed as such people, who will ultimately determine how successful your programme is or isn’t.
The above said, it’s nice to have someone with some knowledge in the area actually come on here and share their insights - it’s better comms than any of us have received through official channels in a very long time. Perhaps that poor prior standard of official comms is what may have led to what you’ve described as the “conflation” of issues?
You’ve mentioned you’re new to the organisation and don’t know what’s happened before, which is understandable. For context, HQAC are generally utterly abysmal at communicating to the front-line CFAV body and any comms you undertake, especially through official channels, should start with this in mind - it’ll help you drive engagement.
Having seen some of the recent comms about huge issues. I’m frankly flabbergasted. But that’s changing here and hopefully some news soon.
If you could PM me any links of this, it would greatly help some challenges I’m having at the moment. Thanks.
Whilst none of you know me, you’ll probably be able to guess who I am in the next few weeks. I’m a straight talker who doesn’t waste time on rubbish or promises that are undeliverable. If that comes across as being “snarky” then it is what it is. I believe in taking everyone on the project journey and good comms is the only way to do that. Hence I’m using every avenue available, including here. So standby for written comms, explainer videos, and a Teams forum all in the next month or so.
I also have broad shoulders and the ability to listen. So if you think we’ve taken a wrong turn, call it out and tell us why. It’s best through official means but if you want to remain anonymous, on here does. I need to know what, and the details as to why, not just…”I don’t like that” or “we’ve never done it that way”. I promise you, everything gets discussed and reviewed.
We are trying to deliver a bold vision and the major barrier of funding has now been removed. The progress now is only limited by our capacity, so when regional support is needed, step up and let’s get on with it.
It was advertised as the first course to be delivered to cadets after a successful trail phase. It covered the Drone Code, programming and hand flying the drones.
Thanks. Their media team is one of the exemptions I discussed. They have a small team trained to do this within their media cohort. It’s not broad organisational use.
I am still really struggling to see how we are expected to manage third party RPAS operators at events we attend. If I’ve got cadets at some sort of show, and they have a fully qualified, competent and insured drone operator in to film the event, that will likely involved over flying crowds. I see no problem with this though? And why would I need to report it?
Interestingly (or entertainingly) . . . The drone we’ve been using at events like Cosford Airshow, RIAT and the Muster is “now” not allowed to be used by RAFAC . . . That’s good value for money then . . .
As part of our CAA approval, we must list the makes and models of drones that we are going to utilise.
Would love to see the look on the faces of police drone operators if a CFAV comes out with ‘L’m not permitting you to fly your drones above my cadets’. I wonder if the CFAV would be at risk of a charge of obstructing a police officer in the execution of their duty.
If a 3rd party is operating a drone with the relevant approvals then it is outside our jurisdiction. All we can do is remove our personnel from the activity. Likely if it is an event such as a county fayre, then use of the drone will be in the t&cs for admission and/or volunteering there.
And it will be risk assessed by the organisers.
From direct experience outside of cadets there is also almost nothing the authorities can do about unauthorised drone use in any case (see the Gatwick drone incident - if there was even a drone there at all)
Your responsibility is for the safety of the cadets. RAFAC doesn’t allow direct overflight of staff. If you can’t mitigate this in some way. Then you remove yourself from the risk by leaving that area.
You report the mitigation or removal, this captured how often we are exposed to this and whether it is proportionate. No data, no lever for change.
Remove the cadets from that situation. The risks of direct overflight are not acceptable to RAFAC. It’s as simple as that. This isn’t difficult or rocket science.
It could be incredibly difficult. If I’m at the local fate running a PR stand with a group of cadets, the likelihood of someone being there doing some arial photography is quite high. I can’t just up sticks and leave on a seconds notice because someone’s put a drone in the air. That is actually a difficult thing to do on a moments notice.
Does every activity now need to have drone overflight as part of the RA, with a plan of what to do and where to go should a drone be spotted in the air?
