Why you should hire a CAA-registered drone pilot
From London to Dorset, Aerial photography and videography services are increasingly in demand. To avoid any possible lawsuit, most companies will want to do things by the book. They must therefore hire a CAA-registered drone pilot for commercial work who has the right public liability insurance (CAA stands for Civil Aviation Authority).
Available throughout the UK I am based in the South West of England and travel regularly to London for shoots. I am used to working with demanding clients, they include Land Securities, Adidas, Heineken and McLaren F1.
As a drone operator since 2014, I have been flying drones for more than a thousand hours. I understand the importance of responsible drone usage and what the implications could be for me, my business and others if I’m careless.
I am a registered drone operator and my DJI Mini 3 Pro drone is labelled as such. In addition to this, I have passed the CAA’s Flyer ID online test meaning I understand the safety requirements to fly a drone. This test isn’t compulsory but I completed it for good measure.
What exactly are the commercial applications of drones?
The commercial applications of drones range far and wide.
Drones can be used for marketing. As long as it can be photographed or filmed from above then it’ll benefit from the unique point of view drones offer and help with engagement.
Farming and crop monitoring. Drones can monitor irrigation in a field as well as spot issues with the crop from above which the farmer may not otherwise see at ground level.
Engineering projects and construction. For example, I own a drone with a camera that can tilt upwards which is fairly unusual amongst drones, this allows it to be used to survey areas that may be hard to reach like under tall bridges or roofs of tall cathedrals or other historic buildings.
Aerial timelapse of activities such as a house being built, shop fronts being decorated for Christmas, crop harvests,... documents and speeds up a long process which can be either for your own records or for marketing purposes.
Real estate drone photography is very popular. Aerial photography and aerial videography help sell houses and property by offering a completely different perspective which often shows a much bigger picture of not only the property but where it sits in relation to its neighbourhood. Certain drones can even be used for indoor video “tours” which is far smoother than anything handheld and that reflects in the end footage.
Some drones can be equipped with thermal imaging cameras to monitor the insulation efficiency of a home or building and spot problem areas.
Perhaps not so commercial, drones can be used for search and rescue as they are able to reach difficult areas faster and more easily as well as being used for environmental surveys from above.
How much does a drone pilot charge?
So how much does a drone pilot charge? It depends really on the work to be carried out, but generally speaking, £100 to £250 per hour. This is based on whether you require drone photos taken or more involved drone video production.
Please feel free to contact me with specific details relating to your needs and I will happily send you a quote.