The rise of the "Auditors" - could they affect drone flyers in the long term??.

[james60059]

Hi Folks,

Just putting the feelers out to see what others think.

I've been a drone flyer since May 2024, mainly using it to get different angles on old railway infrastructure, disused industries as well as filming the modern railway scene. I'm registered with a operator ID and have insurance as well so all legal and above plus I always consult Drone Assist prior to any flight (it's an app that shows any airspace restrictions). My drone is a DJI Mini 4 Pro.

Since then I've discovered several channels on YouTube of auditors, not sure if that's an official name for them or one that was made up and subsequently stuck, now whilst some do make good viewing there are some where the auditors in question try to antagonise people of businesses, now I appreciate that the airspace over the majority of places are public and as such a sub-250g drone is allowed to fly (unless it's an airport, prison and even nuclear power stations), but there is a way of dealing with those asking questions. I know there is no rule that you have to divulge information but replying with either one or 2 words, ignoring them or replying with a sarcastic reply surely isn't the way to go - just my opinion only of course .

The question I have is, if these antagonistic attitudes continue, and depending on how much negativity occurs, could the authorities eventually turn around and ban drones altogether or severely restrict where you can fly?. I know it's done for views, but usually I find if you respond with a pleasant manner then you get the same back, and after a brief chat you go on your merry way. I've been approached a couple of times when out flying but the encounter has always been pleasant and the person asking has always gone off with no issues.

I'm interested in your thoughts

 

[YouLostAStar]

Honestly i'm surprised there hasn't been more done to restrict drone flying.
I think it will definitely happen at some point I think the bigger question is what event or series of events will happen that causes a big enough public outrage to get public operated drone flights banned or severely restricted.

 

[Tetchytyke]

I think the bigger question is what event or series of events will happen that causes a big enough public outrage to get public operated drone flights banned

The issues at Gatwick Airport a few years ago didn't manage it.

 

[ainsworth74]

The issues at Gatwick Airport a few years ago didn't manage it.

I think it'll be a drip drip effect. I do think we're going to see more restrictions (and I think we should) but I think it'll be a cumulative thing. We had that incident at Gatwick Airport, we've had a Canadian water bomber taken out of action fighting the LA fires the other day as well, we've seen some antisocial behaviour (see the OP), and of course we've seen the outright weaponisation of small drones in Ukraine.

I'm not sure there will be one incident (other than in a straw that broke the camels back fashion) but I reckon a cumulative weight of issues will eventually lead to significant restrictions being placed on drone usage and ownership.

 

[Bevan Price]

I think it'll be a drip drip effect. I do think we're going to see more restrictions (and I think we should) but I think it'll be a cumulative thing. We had that incident at Gatwick Airport, we've had a Canadian water bomber taken out of action fighting the LA fires the other day as well, we've seen some antisocial behaviour (see the OP), and of course we've seen the outright weaponisation of small drones in Ukraine.

I'm not sure there will be one incident (other than in a straw that broke the camels back fashion) but I reckon a cumulative weight of issues will eventually lead to significant restrictions being placed on drone usage and ownership.

Today's news reports about use of drones to drop weapons & contraband into prisons may lead to more controls of drone use.

 

[JohnMcL7]

I wouldn't say there's been a rise in 'auditors' since they've been on the go a good while and they're not something I'd ever be concerned about given anyone can complain to you about drone use. I've been flying drones for eight years now and in that entire time I've only had one person complain, she claimed the drone had ruined her walk and been buzzing about her for the last hour which was a complete fabrication since the drone had been flying for around five minutes and directly above me. I pointed out that I was flying legally and was landing the drone now.

That said I'm still flying under the older restrictive rules where the drone needs to be kept 150m from buildings and people so I'm mostly using it away from anyone and anything. I do think the current sub-250g drone rules are completely absurd and assume they were written on the basis that drones of that weight would be much more basic, even with an A2 certification you're still far more restricted than someone untrained with a sub 250g drone. The CAA said they'd realised this last year and were looking into new rules but I've not seen any progress on that yet. With that in mind I'd say there's flights that were legal but I could understand people not being happy about (such as flying over gardens and similar) although either way I'd likely simply try to de-escalate the situation, get the drone down and get away from the person. I'd like to think these 'auditors' are very much a minority of people and I've never met one myself.

It's also not a drone thing either there's just some people seem to have this confrontational attitude. I've been in photography for a while and used bigger cameras so I've had a few people over the years absolutely explode at me for taking out a camera even in places where I'd been requested or given permission to take photos. I really dislike confrontations like this but I usually explain my position and they calm down, if they don't I just away from there.

 

[Harpo]

The Gatwick incident and prisons issues highlight abuses needing better controls.

Hopefully, there’ll be no kneejerk reactions as drones have opened up so many new photography techniques and viewpoints.

 

[AlterEgo]

The Gatwick incident and prisons issues highlight abuses needing better controls.

Hopefully, there’ll be no kneejerk reactions as drones have opened up so many new photography techniques and viewpoints.

There never was a drone at Gatwick. Nobody ever saw one, nor was there even a picture of it. Fascinating incident.

 

[cb a1]

The cynic in me would say that one should approach the question of what future restrictions are imposed on drones, will depend on whether those restrictions (or lack of) will make people who are rich and powerful, richer and more powerful. This may vary by country.

For example, I've no idea whether drone deliveries will be the next sliced bread or dead duck (and that might in turn depend on whether the Deliveroo / Just Eat gig economy of deliveries is continued to be given free rein, whether a blind eye continues to be turned on modded e-bikes on footways, etc.). I think these issues will be more pertinent to the question of future restrictions than 'auditors'.

 

[JohnMcL7]

There never was a drone at Gatwick. Nobody ever saw one, nor was there even a picture of it. Fascinating incident.

Yes. it's a great example of the problem caused by drone hysteria not actual drones.

 

[gg1]

Yes. it's a great example of the problem caused by drone hysteria not actual drones.

If media reports at the time were accurate, the only two arrests were on the basis of the flimsiest of circumstantial evidence, they were drone enthusiasts who happened to live near the airport. They were both later released without charge, but not until their names were leaked and they faced trial by social media.

 

[Gloster]

I am afraid that everything that I have read makes me think that the first couple of sightings were genuine, but the others were probably hysteria. The non-existence of documentary evidence, particularly early on when everybody was unprepared, does not negate the possible existence of drones.

 

[james60059]

Some interesting responses, of note as well, I see that one of the best known auditors; DJ Audits, has been quiet since the beginning of December 2024 too.

 

[Cloud Strife]

Some interesting responses, of note as well, I see that one of the best known auditors; DJ Audits, has been quiet since the beginning of December 2024 too.

That's a shame, because he was actually eloquent and well spoken when dealing with people. Most of the "auditors" are dimwits, but DJ actually knew what he was talking about in terms of the law and what he could and couldn't do. He was also really good at showing when people reacted properly, and he has plenty of videos of people being friendly and inviting him to come have a look around. He also showed the police in a good light on many occasions, and he wasn't afraid to publish the whole interaction with them.

I suspect that he might have been harassed or threatened by someone, because he was being doxxed repeatedly.

In relation to the original question, I suspect that they might well cause restrictions. A lot of them are just looking for aggro and they provoke it, and while DJ's not adverse to telling someone to get stuffed, he's always clear about what he's actually doing and why.

 

[Discuss223]

Could they affect drone flying long term? Possibly. On the one hand, the government is rather quick to ban anything that poses a potential problem, on the other hand, we have had electric bikes zooming around pedestrian areas for around 2 years now and nothing has been done about it.

Auditors play a vital role that is in the interests of both you and I. You see, they test the laws regarding our freedom, they re-enforce to business that want to play bullies that we do have rights. There should be no reason why we shouldn't be free to walk around an industrial estate and there is no law against photography on public land.

That said, I don't think some of them do the cause any good by turning up in balaclavas etc, an instrument known to be used by thieves and thugs.

 

[james60059]

Just a follow up to this thread, I follow another drone flyer on YouTube and it seems that new legislation/restrictions COULD be on the horizon.

Funnily enough though, most of these "auditors" tend to use Go-Pro's and Zoom camera's mainly with just a drone flight forming a small part of the relevant video.

 

[102 fan]

Calling them auditors gives them a credence they neither have or deserve.