Drone advice

[Stuart_Walker]

We run an inspection company and need to add drone surveys to our line up.

I don't have any knowledge at all about the best brand to buy etc.

I need something that is going to give me excellent images/video and as I will have to train my guys to use them it needs to be pretty user friendly.

Does anyone have any advice, suggestions for brands or ideas about features I should look for?

 

[fisicx]

Pay someone to do the surveys for you. A far simpler solution that absolves you of any licensing and flight limitations.

 

[Newchodge]

Drone piloting is going to be further regulated soon. I agree with fisicx - unless you have someone on your staff who knows what they are doing sub-contract it.

 

[Frank the Insurance guy]

You also need to consider insurance - you need to notify your insurer as some will not provide Public Liability cover for drones.

Insurers will usually need the user to hold relevant qualifications and flyer ID

They would also usually ask for:
- Class of operation (eg. Open A1/A2/A3)
- Purpose
- UAS Class

If your insurer will not provide cover, there are specialist insurers that exclusively cover use of Drones.

 

[Stuart_Walker]

You also need to consider insurance - you need to notify your insurer as some will not provide Public Liability cover for drones.

Insurers will usually need the user to hold relevant qualifications and flyer ID

They would also usually ask for:
- Class of operation (eg. Open A1/A2/A3)
- Purpose
- UAS Class

If your insurer will not provide cover, there are specialist insurers that exclusively cover use of Drones.

Thanks Frank that is very helpful

 

[fisicx]

We had a roof survey done recently. The drone operator worked on commission and said it’s getting more restrictive, not something you would want to do ad hoc.

 

[paulears]

With the very latest rule changes - I no longer even want to fly mine - and unless I give it away, nobody wants to buy them either! I just renewed the CAA documents - but I'll never have the thing up again.

 

[Stuart_Walker]

We had a roof survey done recently. The drone operator worked on commission and said it’s getting more restrictive, not something you would want to do ad hoc.

Why do you make the assumption that I want to do this ad hoc? That's quite a leap from my original post.

I run a professional, busy inspection company. I have already obtained my flyer ID and registered as a drone operator. I have checked out the 2026 regulations and spoken with a couple of training organisations about the limits for drone classes and what training we need if we choose to go bigger.

I have conducted market research with local surveyors, solicitors and my current clients to ensure this is a viable added service as it forms part of a package that we will be offering.

My original post was regarding brands as the only one that I am really conversant with is DJI.

I've also read, listened to and watched a lot of people who are convinced that the latest regulations will totally kill the drone industry. Usually though, they have something to sell or appear to have a need to look cleverer than the next guy.

 

[T.Donovan]

We run an inspection company and need to add drone surveys to our line up.

I don't have any knowledge at all about the best brand to buy etc.

I need something that is going to give me excellent images/video and as I will have to train my guys to use them it needs to be pretty user friendly.

Does anyone have any advice, suggestions for brands or ideas about features I should look for?

Regulation is changing soon I believe but look, any drone under 250grams can be flown pretty much anywhere at the moment by a licenced pilot with a user ID on the drone. Its really not that terrifying and very easy. The DJI mini 4 pro has a 4k camara, very lightweight (249g) easy to fly.

 

[paulears]

Easy it is not! I do not fly mine any longer. The constant updates and risk make it not a pleasant activity any longer. A friend owns one of those aerial display companies - hundreds of drones under computer control. He gets less grief flying 100 drones or more than I get with one. I renewed my documentation earlier this year, but the constant changes in the rules make it tiresome. Insurance cover relies on correct documentation - yet completing it is always a best guess. The recent changes to bring in the lightweight drones that previously subject to some much scrutiny make it a continually evolving activity. Using them for business use is a risk. For some, perfectly workable - others find it a constant concern. The popular hobby drones oddly, would do what you want - but remember that to be compliant, what you want to do also needs two people. The popular first person view with the headset is what you would want the roof specialist to be looking at. However, the rules clearly make the use of real eye to drone contact required - at the same time?? In practice - one person would fly, the second person is the observer - that's two people to do it correctly. If, as loads of people do, you have a single pilot who uses the technology to fly the drone - and you crash into a neighbours property and do damage, your insurers might discover your transgression and duck out. The number of times I have looked from the drone in the sky, down to the controller and then been unable to find the damn thing again is not a rare thing.

 

[Gecko001]

I went to a seminar on new technology in the bulding design sector, about five or six years ago. One of the speakers had a drone company. He called himself a pilot and wore a shirt with pilot epaulettes! It was not a stunt and many in the room perhaps thought he was like that guy in the film who flew around the world for years pretending to be a pilot. But, I suppose he was not a sandwich short of a picnic after all. There are a lot of people out there it would appear flying drones who do not realise the damage they can do with them. Fortunately, the regulation of drones are being tightened.

 

[YasmeenLondon]

I recommend the Dji Mini 5 Pro with the fly more combo, it's rated as sub 250g (when in reality its actually 251g) and has a great camera and a 1 inch sensor, and the sub 250g rating means you have more flexibility in the city.

I'm also sure you're well aware that you are required by law to have public liability insurance if you use drone for any commercial activity, and there are many specialised drone cover websites, google drone cover and click the first result.

Finally, find a designated drone area and practice to get the hang of flying, a youth spent playing playstation definitely helped me get to grips quickly with flying, but I still needed an hour or two to feel comfortable enough to fly in a professional setting.

Good luck.