Aerial photography and GA
Thread Starter
Aerial photography and GA
This has always been a grey area but with with the rapid expansion of drone operation it appears the days of GA aerial photography are in rapid decline.
When I learnt to fly in the early 1980's most pubs and big houses boasted an aerial picture on the wall taken by Sky Views and General.
The pilots were usually hour builders in a 152 getting paid on commision from picture sales.
However with most big estate agents using aerial site pictures from Bing etc plus the wide use of low level high resolution drones has GA aerial work had its day?
When I learnt to fly in the early 1980's most pubs and big houses boasted an aerial picture on the wall taken by Sky Views and General.
The pilots were usually hour builders in a 152 getting paid on commision from picture sales.
However with most big estate agents using aerial site pictures from Bing etc plus the wide use of low level high resolution drones has GA aerial work had its day?
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 7th Aug 2017 at 06:09.
I don't think that GA Aerial work has had its day, but aerial photography of that nature, probably - for exactly the reasons you give.
With any luck it might head off a few fatals, the nature of which we've seen in the past, so it's probably not a bad thing. The people who were routinely doing commercial single occupant aerial photography at low level on a PPL were a danger to themselves and those below them.
G
With any luck it might head off a few fatals, the nature of which we've seen in the past, so it's probably not a bad thing. The people who were routinely doing commercial single occupant aerial photography at low level on a PPL were a danger to themselves and those below them.
G
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There is aerial photography and aerial photography. The bottom end of the market are "Frog Kissers". It comprises of chancers with a camera and a 152 (or drone dummies). They take pictures of anything stationary that can be tracked down at a later date. Like the pikies "weez jus doowin a job for d' council like.." who try and flog you a tarmac drive, these muppets attempt to flog you a picture of your house for cash "No VAT like..." Then there's the like of what used to be Aerofilms. Virtually all of their work was commissioned. That included 3D pictures of holes in the grounds, pit heaps, coal stocks at power stations, building sites, lifeboat stations, prisons etc. And did I mention powerlines, pipelines and such like? Drones with the correct lenses can do some of the work but you really have to be above 1,000' - 2,000' to get most of the desired shots. Which is (legally) too high for drones in most instances. And did we mention OP's Manuals, licences etc...
PM
PM
Thread Starter
I thought all the old fashioned 152 drivers were no longer in business?
Norfolk police have just started using two drones. Are they subject to the normal drone regulations?
As a taxpayer I welcome the replacement of expensive air support by this technology. Plus there is no noise. 
Norfolk police have just started using two drones. Are they subject to the normal drone regulations?
Police in Norfolk will be using drones to help search for missing people, obtain crime scene photography and investigate rural crime, as a three-month trial of the technology begins.
The unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones, will be used as part of operational policing in line with the commitment from Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green, to use 21st Century technology to prevent and detect crime.
There are currently four trained drone operators within the force and this will be extended if the trial is successful.
Deputy Chief Constable Nick Dean said: "Drones offer many benefits that complement the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter. This technology offers a highly cost effective approach to help assist our officers. While the technology still has its limitations, the option of launching a drone in the air in a few minutes could help save lives and secure evidence if a crime was in progress.”
Police have two drone units which cost £1,500 (Inspire) and £850 (Mavic) and can fly in winds of up to 50mph. Both drones have a 4K downlink which means officers on the ground and in the Contact and Control Room (CCR) can see live footage captured by the drone in the air. It can stay in the air for up to 20 minutes at a time before returning to the operator to change batteries. Each drone has a number of batteries and therefore can be kept operational for a prolonged period of time if required. The technology has already been used during incidents within the county, including forensic photography at an industrial incident, firearms incidents and searches.
DCC Dean added: "The drones will now be available to assist officers across the county and while we're a long way off drones becoming standard kit in a police car, the early indications are they will be a positive contribution to the policing of Norfolk.”
PCC Lorne Green said: "For our police to be as efficient and effective as possible, it's vital they have the right tools. When it comes to tackling the crime affecting our communities in the 21st century, we need to be looking at the 21st century technology available to us.
"For some time now I've been calling for Norfolk Police to explore the potential that drones offer. It's early days but I'm pleased to see the trial is showing signs there are benefits for the Force in the use of drones. I'll be following the pilot with interest as it continues.”
The unmanned aerial systems (UAS), more commonly known as drones, will be used as part of operational policing in line with the commitment from Norfolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Lorne Green, to use 21st Century technology to prevent and detect crime.
There are currently four trained drone operators within the force and this will be extended if the trial is successful.
Deputy Chief Constable Nick Dean said: "Drones offer many benefits that complement the National Police Air Service (NPAS) helicopter. This technology offers a highly cost effective approach to help assist our officers. While the technology still has its limitations, the option of launching a drone in the air in a few minutes could help save lives and secure evidence if a crime was in progress.”
Police have two drone units which cost £1,500 (Inspire) and £850 (Mavic) and can fly in winds of up to 50mph. Both drones have a 4K downlink which means officers on the ground and in the Contact and Control Room (CCR) can see live footage captured by the drone in the air. It can stay in the air for up to 20 minutes at a time before returning to the operator to change batteries. Each drone has a number of batteries and therefore can be kept operational for a prolonged period of time if required. The technology has already been used during incidents within the county, including forensic photography at an industrial incident, firearms incidents and searches.
DCC Dean added: "The drones will now be available to assist officers across the county and while we're a long way off drones becoming standard kit in a police car, the early indications are they will be a positive contribution to the policing of Norfolk.”
PCC Lorne Green said: "For our police to be as efficient and effective as possible, it's vital they have the right tools. When it comes to tackling the crime affecting our communities in the 21st century, we need to be looking at the 21st century technology available to us.
"For some time now I've been calling for Norfolk Police to explore the potential that drones offer. It's early days but I'm pleased to see the trial is showing signs there are benefits for the Force in the use of drones. I'll be following the pilot with interest as it continues.”
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 7th Aug 2017 at 06:27.
Thanks for that. Never looked at myself that way before.
Lucky to survive to do another 30 years of flying.
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From a professional POV we do a significant amount of this as an organisation. We've not really seen it reducing over recent years as all the photographers say the flexibility and geographic 'coverage' they get from being airborne means they get much better value from hiring an aircraft and pilot.
Also, the 'on the spot' photographers 'eye' is very difficult to obtain through ROV methods.
Also, the 'on the spot' photographers 'eye' is very difficult to obtain through ROV methods.
