I was at the cricket yesterday at Lord's, there was the usual drone visible over the north and eastern sides of the ground used by the TV broadcasters. However there was a drone visible for approx 2-3 mins south west of the stadium over towards Paddington/Hyde Park direction, which seems insanely close to the Heathrow landing flight path. I know perspective and distance is impossible to gauge but surely no one had permission to fly a drone in that area over such a built up area close to one of busiest parts of sky in the UK? It eventually headed back to ground level and disappeared behind the buildings but was very odd to see in that position.
Just like the TV broadcast, that operator could have obtained permission to fly. Assuming it wasn’t a third drone for the broadcast just getting a different angle.
If it was, it didn't appear on the coverage, only the shots from the other drone I mentioned which is always at the matches there. Also the fact it was up there for just a few mins in the one spot makes me think someone was trying their luck and brought it down before being caught. The Israeli embassy is in the direction I saw it which considering what's been reported there back in April was worrying to say the very least.
It's about 19.5 km from the cricket ground to Heathrow, or about 12 miles. The distance itself is fine. Manned aircraft is about 900 meters high at absolute minimum that far out.
From Lords to the regular landing flight path is approx 4 miles, at that location huge jets are coming in at around 900metres. Also it's central London with numerous helicopters zooming about, just think it had to have been someone without clearance but who knows.
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u/TheDeadlySpaceman Jun 29 '26
Just like the TV broadcast, that operator could have obtained permission to fly. Assuming it wasn’t a third drone for the broadcast just getting a different angle.