- Do IDS Drone Pilot have a licence to carry out commercial UAV activity?
Yes -The Civil Aviation PfCO is mandatory for anyone flying drones for commercial use in the UK.
Mandian Ltd T/A IDS Drone Pilot has the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) “Permission for Commercial Operations” PfCO which means as a licensed commercial operator of UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicles) we are governed and regulated by the CAA.
- How high can you fly your UAV Drones?
As the CAA allows us to fly from ground level up to a maximum altitude of 400ft. and the airspace for manned aircraft is over 500ft this leaves a separation zone of 100 feet.
- Do you only operate in the UK?
No we do work in Southern Spain, but unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying rules and regulations vary from country to country. Please ring us to discuss you requirements.
- Are there restrictions on where you can operate?
CAA approval clearly defines where and how we can fly.
The main operational conditions for a small unmanned aircraft SUA are:
• Maintaining a distance of 50m from people and property not in control of the pilot.
• During take off and landing maintain a distance of 30m from people and property not in control of the pilot.
• Permission of the landowner to take off and land.
• Directly overhead or within a minimum distance of 150m from an open air assembly of over 1000 people.
• Maximum height of 400ft above ground level.
• Maintain visual line of sight of the SUA to a maximum distance of 500m.
• During daylight hours, so that you can clearly see the SUA and take avoiding action from other air users if required.
• Outside of controlled airspace.
• Restrictions apply to certain areas of Central London and additional permissions to fly in these areas need to be sought from the CAA.
• Restrictions and rules apply to flying near an airport and aerodrome.
Each location has its own demorgraphics and a site survey will be carried out to ensure compliance.
This allows us to do close survey work of building, roofs, building sites, hotels and golf courses with permissions.
- Are there set costs to using your services?
Our prices may vary depending on the complexity, associated risks and location of the drone aerial photography. Please call or email us to discuss your plans and requirements.
Each job is unique and because all aerial photography drone flights are covered by CAA regulations, we carry out a detailed online Pre-flight survey before we send you a final quote.
You will find quick guide to our UK prices here on the website.
- Can we see how it all works?
IDS Drone Pilot are happy to offer a short overview flight in conjunction with a site survey.
- Is a UAV better than using scaffolding, cheery pickers or even a helicopter
Drones can fly closer to the subject, they are quieter, can be deployed quicker as the project dictates, and they are a fraction of the cost of hiring scaffolding, an access vehicle or a helicopter and pilot. Overall under 120m the answer is probaly yes.
- How fast are they and how far can they reach?
The maximum airspeed of our drones is over 40 mph. The maximum range permitted by the CAA is 500m with the pilot maintaining a visible line of sight at all times to the UAV. Our maximum permitted altitude by the CAA is 120m (400 feet).
- What do all the abbreviations mean?
Here are a few that are commonly used.
UAV - unmanned aerial vehicle
UA - unmanned aircraft
SUA – small unmanned aircraft
SUSA - small unmanned surveillance aircraft
RPA – remotely piloted aircraft
RPAS - remotely piloted aircraft system
UAS – unmanned aircraft systems