Drones are RESTRICTED in UK!!
Windswept Robert
22,789 views
After my previous two videos about the UK's new 120m drone height limit (120m drone restriction) that aren't actually part of UK drone laws 2026 or CAA drone regulations, there were still a number of questions in the comments—many of them asking exactly the same thing.
So in this video I take a legacy drone out into the real world and demonstrate exactly what happens in practice.
You'll see why legacy drones are very different from newer drones that have a hard 120m height limit built into their firmware, and why that difference matters when flying over varying terrain.
With the latest UK drone laws 2024 now in effect, many pilots are finding their flights limited by the new 120m drone restriction. In this video, I head to Afton Reservoir to put these CAA drone regulations to the test and explain how the 120m height limit actually works in the field. We take a close look at drone telemetry and the height reset issue to see if you can still fly legally while navigating these Open Category drone rules. Whether you're flying a DJI Mavic 3 or a sub-250g drone, understanding the difference between AGL (Above Ground Level) and hard-coded firmware limits is essential for any drone pilot in the UK.
As always, this isn't legal advice—it's simply a practical demonstration to help drone pilots understand how these different systems behave.
What do you think?
Has this finally answered your questions, or is there still something you'd like me to cover? Let me know in the comments.
👍 If you found the video useful, please give it a thumbs up and consider subscribing. It really does help the channel continue producing practical drone content.
📺 I also have a second channel called The Angry Auditor, where I discuss filming in public, photographers' rights, drones, public interaction, critical thinking and other related topics. If that interests you, I'd love to see you there too. @theangryscot2
Thanks for watching.
The content on this channel includes: How to fly drones legally in the UK, what is the 120m drone rule, drone telemetry height reset explained, C0 drone category rules UK, flying drones at Afton reservoir. AGL (Above Ground Level), drone telemetry, firmware update restrictions, drone pilot license UK, Open Category drone rules. The entire coastline of Scotland - by drone; DJI Mavic 3 flights; DJI mini 3 Pro flights; DJI mini 2 flights; 360° tours; tutorials; how to guides, waypoints, special maneuvers, parallaxes, spiral orbits, settings, ND filters, etc also reviews of drone related products - all of this and more on the Windswept Robert YouTube channel!
🚗💨 Fuel the Next Adventure!
If you’ve enjoyed this journey through Scotland with me and my drone crew, you can help power the next one by tossing a bit of fuel in the tank:
👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Windswep...
Your support helps cover travel costs, gear upgrades, and time spent bringing these immersive experiences to life. Every bit is truly appreciated — and it means more content, more locations, and better sound with every upload!
⸻
🎬 Want exclusive perks & behind-the-scenes access?
Become a channel member for:
• Early previews of upcoming videos
• Outtakes & behind-the-scenes moments
• Direct creator updates
Join here 👉 @windsweptrobert
⸻
📩 Business inquiries or collaboration ideas?
Reach out: windsweptrobert@gmail.com
20 Comments
If we were to climb to the top of the hill (already above 120m over the reservoir) and then fly out, as some point if you don’t lower the altitude of the drone, the ground below is further than 120m making your flight illegal whilst still very possible.
Then should you have to land for some reason (the only extreme I can think of is weather or something like an air ambulance, military aircraft or any bird showing interest in the drone)
You may be able to re launch your drone, but as you are now above 120m higher than the new launch point you cannot fly it back to you. Just something to consider (and obviously the legal side of the height the drone as this is not from your launch point but the land below the drone)
So you have to constantly have to reduce your height
Drones are RESTRICTED in UK!!
Windswept Robert
22,789 views
After my previous two videos about the UK's new 120m drone height limit (120m drone restriction) that aren't actually part of UK drone laws 2026 or CAA drone regulations, there were still a number of questions in the comments—many of them asking exactly the same thing.
So in this video I take a legacy drone out into the real world and demonstrate exactly what happens in practice.
You'll see why legacy drones are very different from newer drones that have a hard 120m height limit built into their firmware, and why that difference matters when flying over varying terrain.
With the latest UK drone laws 2024 now in effect, many pilots are finding their flights limited by the new 120m drone restriction. In this video, I head to Afton Reservoir to put these CAA drone regulations to the test and explain how the 120m height limit actually works in the field. We take a close look at drone telemetry and the height reset issue to see if you can still fly legally while navigating these Open Category drone rules. Whether you're flying a DJI Mavic 3 or a sub-250g drone, understanding the difference between AGL (Above Ground Level) and hard-coded firmware limits is essential for any drone pilot in the UK.
As always, this isn't legal advice—it's simply a practical demonstration to help drone pilots understand how these different systems behave.
What do you think?
Has this finally answered your questions, or is there still something you'd like me to cover? Let me know in the comments.
👍 If you found the video useful, please give it a thumbs up and consider subscribing. It really does help the channel continue producing practical drone content.
📺 I also have a second channel called The Angry Auditor, where I discuss filming in public, photographers' rights, drones, public interaction, critical thinking and other related topics. If that interests you, I'd love to see you there too. @theangryscot2
Thanks for watching.
The content on this channel includes: How to fly drones legally in the UK, what is the 120m drone rule, drone telemetry height reset explained, C0 drone category rules UK, flying drones at Afton reservoir. AGL (Above Ground Level), drone telemetry, firmware update restrictions, drone pilot license UK, Open Category drone rules. The entire coastline of Scotland - by drone; DJI Mavic 3 flights; DJI mini 3 Pro flights; DJI mini 2 flights; 360° tours; tutorials; how to guides, waypoints, special maneuvers, parallaxes, spiral orbits, settings, ND filters, etc also reviews of drone related products - all of this and more on the Windswept Robert YouTube channel!
🚗💨 Fuel the Next Adventure!
If you’ve enjoyed this journey through Scotland with me and my drone crew, you can help power the next one by tossing a bit of fuel in the tank:
👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Windswep...
Your support helps cover travel costs, gear upgrades, and time spent bringing these immersive experiences to life. Every bit is truly appreciated — and it means more content, more locations, and better sound with every upload!
⸻
🎬 Want exclusive perks & behind-the-scenes access?
Become a channel member for:
• Early previews of upcoming videos
• Outtakes & behind-the-scenes moments
• Direct creator updates
Join here 👉 @windsweptrobert
⸻
📩 Business inquiries or collaboration ideas?
Reach out: windsweptrobert@gmail.com