Drones are fantastic tools to map large areas, conduct inspections and surveys, generate 3D models and impressive images and film, but they do bring their own risks. We've therefore put together a short checklist to ensure that you always work with a reputable and safe drone operator… Ensure they have a valid Civil Aviation Authority Permission for Commercial Operation, a legal requirement for all commercial drone work Make sure you see evidence of Public Liability insurance

The recent changes to regulations covering the flying of drones near airports has been in the works for some time, but the Gatwick incident before Christmas raised the profile and importance of the changes. From 13 March the present 1km exclusion zone from the boundary of a protected aerodrome (usually one with Air Traffic Control) will be expanded to the entire Aerodrome Traffic Zone (ATZ) (2nm or 2.5nm depending on runway length), and also the Runway Protection Zone, a bloc

Despite all the calls for regulation, drones already are regulated: it’s illegal to fly within 1km of an airport, higher than 400ft and beyond 500m from the pilot. The majority of drones now have built in geo-fencing which automatically stops them being flown near an airport. This is therefore a criminal act designed to disrupt, whether down to activism, an extortion attempt or just idiocy, that deliberately flouted the regulations and probably involved hacking automatic safe

An exciting array of technological developments were on view at this week's Commercial UAV Show in London, from airborne LIDAR systems to new GIS mapping systems and apps that can live-stream drone footage to anywhere in the world. What's clear is that drone technology is increasingly integral to a growing number of industries, from surveying to utilities, oil and gas and construction, where their unique data-collection capabilities deliver results quickly and safely. #aerial

Our drone roof measurement service received some great media coverage recently, with articles in both Roofing Today and Tomorrow’s FM. The pieces highlight how the service automatically identifies and measures different roof and edge types, including surface areas, valleys, flashing, ridges, parapets and eaves, quickly and safely delivering the data essential to roofing repairs, condition assessments, insurance claims and photo-voltaic installations. The potential of the serv

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced a revision to the Air Navigation Order 2016, elements of which will come into force from today (30 July 2018), including: 400ft operating height limitation for all small unmanned aircraft drones weighing 7kg or less must not fly within 1km of the boundary of specific types of aerodrome without Air Traffic Control (or CAA) permission In accordance with our CAA Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) Levitate already operates

Christmas drone gifts are set to become a bit more complicated following the release of the draft Drone Bill on 26 November, which plans to make safety tests compulsory in 2018. Once passed the legislation means all drone users must sit safety tests, flying over 400ft or near airports will be banned, and those operating drones weighing over 250 grams will have to be registered. According to Rennie Campbell, Director of drone operator Levitate Aerial Imaging: “The new safety m