UAV aerial photography
Thread Starter
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 66
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From: Sussex
UAV aerial photography
Posted this in anther forum but on second thoughts maybe better off in here!?
Does anyone have any experiences in using / operating a civilian UAV company for aerial photography / survey work?
Im thinking of the small rotary, single camera VTOL type not so much the fixed wing, stay up for 24 hrs at altitude.
Ive started looking into operating a UAV for this and was wondering about the legalities / CAA stance on operating a UAV.
I have had bits of infomation including things like, you cannot operate them autonomously, so you cannot set waypoints and let them fly, you cannot use them in built up areas, and they cannot fly out of your sight.
Also what qualifications, if any, are needed for the "pilot"
If anyone can give me some guidance or experience on this I would be grateful.
Does anyone have any experiences in using / operating a civilian UAV company for aerial photography / survey work?
Im thinking of the small rotary, single camera VTOL type not so much the fixed wing, stay up for 24 hrs at altitude.
Ive started looking into operating a UAV for this and was wondering about the legalities / CAA stance on operating a UAV.
I have had bits of infomation including things like, you cannot operate them autonomously, so you cannot set waypoints and let them fly, you cannot use them in built up areas, and they cannot fly out of your sight.
Also what qualifications, if any, are needed for the "pilot"
If anyone can give me some guidance or experience on this I would be grateful.
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: Oslo
I have some experience i but no not in a company though. gas helis with cameras are common. You can certainly get lots of info on regulations in Rcgroups.com and go in aerial photography. There is tons of info on that site, maybe you can get help there too! good luck!
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 482
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From: 3nm SE of TNT, UK
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 898
Likes: 73
From: UK
I'm currently building an AP RC helicopter based around a Trex700e. If I prove to have any talent, I intend to try and make some money out of it, but for the time being it is just for fun. I intend to use a Canon 5D MkII.
You are correct that in the UK, you must be line of sight, and if you are flying first person view, you must also have a spotter. There are quite a few restrictions, but generally you need your A and B BMFA certificates for RC flight (without the use of automatics) if you are going to fly in built up areas.
You are correct that in the UK, you must be line of sight, and if you are flying first person view, you must also have a spotter. There are quite a few restrictions, but generally you need your A and B BMFA certificates for RC flight (without the use of automatics) if you are going to fly in built up areas.
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 852
Likes: 3
From: Brum
GS-Alpha
If you do you will need a 'Basic National UAS Certificate for Small Unmanned Aircraft (BNUC-STM)'
Some bedtime reading from the CAA, here and particularly here...
The days of strapping a camera to an R/C heli and earning a few bob are over...
If I prove to have any talent, I intend to try and make some money out of it
Some bedtime reading from the CAA, here and particularly here...
The days of strapping a camera to an R/C heli and earning a few bob are over...
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,407
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From: engineer at large
The CAP 722 referenced above is , well, your only point of reference...
Dont try even putting a kite into the air until the Olympics are over...
(there are many professional based platforms out there doing this already, check on LinkedIn UAV groups for real detailed answers to your quest..)
Dont try even putting a kite into the air until the Olympics are over...
(there are many professional based platforms out there doing this already, check on LinkedIn UAV groups for real detailed answers to your quest..)
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 898
Likes: 73
From: UK
Thanks for that Nige. I've already checked out the CAA stuff, but I think the requirement for the certificate is new since I last looked several months ago.
If I ever get around to doing any commercial work or flying in a built up area, I'll need to check the CAA requirements again properly because it seems to be an ever evolving field.
If I ever get around to doing any commercial work or flying in a built up area, I'll need to check the CAA requirements again properly because it seems to be an ever evolving field.
