Question - What's this? Nr. Gilcrux, Cumbria.

[d17]

Anyone have any idea what this structure is? I've noticed something unusual on the horizon for a while and finally took the drone to have a closer look today. It can be seen on Google Maps - https://goo.gl/maps/osfUW1gnTW32

First post also so helloooo!!! I've been browsing for longer than I care to admit.

 

[The Lone Ranger]

It's some sort of navigational device for Aircraft, owned and managed by NATS (National Air Traffic Services).

 

[d17]

Fantastic! Found something I can read about. From http://nats.aero/blog/2015/05/has-gps-killed-off-the-vor/ its a ground based VOR (VHF Omni Directional Radio Range) beacon,

Each beacon is part of a post-World War II ground-based navigation network used for defining airway routes or providing instrument approaches at airports. They’ve been part of the commercial aviation and instrument training world for decades.

 

[horrgakx]

Yep, you can see it from the north end of the Moota road on the horizon, it's the Dean Cross VOR station. This is an aircraft navigation aid and as such I wouldn't fly a drone near there because although it's not marked on an exclusion zone on the no-fly zones it is still a high priority asset (along with things like the radio transmitter at Anthorn and various underground reservoirs dotted around - I used to be a police officer and I'm an aircraft enthusiast).

When you see aircraft flying over you'll notice they sometimes turn at this point - they follow the radial of the VOR station. You can see what I mean in my photo of Buttermere at night (CLICK FOR THE PICTURE) - those trails are aircraft and the trails converge over this VOR.