Time now for the Third blog of the series. “Andrews Inspired Blog, it’s all about drones” Thanks for the feedback some of you have sent me, much appreciated.
IPROSURV NEWS
Iprosurv RAE status and new Iprosurv Academy
A couple of weeks ago Iprosurv were proud to announce that they had been approved by the CAA as a Recognised Assessment Entity (RAE). As one of the UK’s leading commercial drone providers this is a natural addition to our portfolio and endorses my commitment when I started Iprosurv to be able to provide first class training and development to our Operators and the wider drone community. I am really looking forward to delivering our courses with the team of experienced and qualified instructors I have supporting me. I foresee a busy year ahead.
With the RAE approval we are now delivering the following courses:
A2 C of C
GVC
Combined A2 C of C and GVC
PfCO (NQE) conversion to a GVC
I have also developed a number of other non CAA courses which include:
Flight skills and training
Operations Manual reviews
One to one consultations
OSC consultancy
Mapping and surveying techniques
Please visit our training page to see what courses we have available. If you can’t see what you are looking for, drop me an email and we can discuss what you need.
Iprosurv are offering some fantastic franchise opportunities to come and work for us. We are looking for people with various skills in areas such as forestry, agriculture, construction, engineering, infrastructure and security, so please come and visit our website for these and other opportunities.
NEW DRONES
As mentioned in my first blog I am not a drone tester or reviewer. I enjoy flying drones and see them as a tool to assist what I need to capture, whether that be data, video, images or locate someone or something. I also need to use them for training, so like to have a good selection of makes and models. All drones whatever make or model will have their own features suitable for the task. I love when new drones are released by manufacturers and go straight to You tube to find the latest reviews.
I am biased to DJI as have used different drones in many different roles and in my opinion the DJI drones do exactly what they say they will do in all the circumstances I have used them in. Yes, they are not perfect but then I use Apple products as well!
If you are a DJI fan like me, then their launch event on 21st March was spectacular and the new M30T is quite an amazing piece of kit for its size, weight and price. A game changer for the Emergency services and those involved in emergency services work, especially with its portability and being able to get it airborne in less than a minute.
DJI also released their new Flight Hub 2 software that helps you to plan precise flight routes, and manage your fleet, staff and media amongst other things.
Finally, and I must admit caught me by surprise was the launch of the DJI dock which houses the M30 and again that is an amazing piece of kit.
I would love to see a roof top box version of this for a Police car.
All I need to do now is amend my letter to Santa!
POSITIVE DRONE STORIES
Apart from the M30T being released there continues to be several positive drone stories. The emergency services continue to provide social media footage of their successes with drone (I will comment on the AAIB reports later in the blog). Using thermal imagery for searches and routine day time deployments to support operations I think most of the 43 forces are now using drones either as a standalone or in collaboration with other emergency service operators.
The CAA’s #ShotOnMyDrone competition was launched on 21st October last year and culminated in the awards ceremony at the Royal Aeronautical Society on 29th March 2022. I was lucky to be invited to the event and to see Sir Stephen Hillier, Chair of the CAA announce the winners of the four categories:
Countryside
Urban day
Urban night
Christmas
The competition was aimed at educating people on drone authorisations required to fly across towns, cities and the countryside. With over 800 entries it was a great success. I look forward to the next competition.
If you have any positive drone stories then please let me know as I would like to have this as a regular feature for each blog. Email
NEGATIVE DRONE STORIES
Not sure where this next article sits, whether it is positive or negative but the use of drones in the war between Ukraine and Russia as received massive publicity on all news outlets (except RT!)
Who would have thought that a President in a country at war uses social media to call for all drones and drone operators to assist. We are not talking the Reaper style drone here, drones of all shapes and sizes are being used to gather intelligence on the enemies’ positions, report damage and assist with life saving work. Both sides are using these small unmanned aircraft for reconnaissance purposes. There has been a huge amount of support with companies sending drones out there. A Dutch volunteer group company recently sent 187 mini 2 drones to Ukraine to help them.
One downside of using the drones especially DJI has highlighted the issue of counter drone technology, particularly the use of the DJI Aeroscope. I have used this equipment on many an occasion and for those that don’t know it can accurately pinpoint the exact location of the drone but more importantly the remote pilot. There have been numerous news articles showing a missile attack on a remote pilot in Ukraine that was identified by Aerioscope. I am sure DJI never expected to be embroiled in a war time situation. They are being accused of giving Russia preferential access to its Aeroscope platform while some units provided to Ukraine are not working correctly, although no evidence to show this.
Suffice to say it has been an interesting story watching how DJI has been dragged into this and the unintended use of Aeroscope. Perhaps some new policies will be developed over time.
NEGATIVE DRONE STORIES Cont…
Talking about Aeroscope, a story picking up pace on social media is about the Airspace restriction that has been put up over the Aintree Racecourse for the Grand National this year. There is a lot of talk that this is an abuse of the system as a large airspace restriction is disproportionate for the reason given to protect helicopters arriving at the racecourse. The conversation on social media suggests it has been put up to prevent the people using drones to bet on the race. Whereas the reason given is to protect the airspace around the arrival and departure of helicopters attending the race.
Whether you like the concept of using drones to bet on sporting events or not, it appears to be a difficult topic for some. From a CAA/Police perspective there appears to be two angles to this.
Are the drone operators flying in accordance with the ANO/UK(EU) Reg no 947/2019
Is the betting activity a criminal or civil offence
Whatever side of the fence you sit on, it is big business for the drone operators who can earn a small fortune from in play betting and taking advantage of being able to reduce the latency from the live footage to the TV screen. A lot hinges on broadcasting rights and transmission of the live data when someone else has the rights to do that, namely the TV companies.
No different to someone standing mid-way along the final straight with a laptop on a stand and sending images back to someone else to put the bets on, but using a drone is deemed worse.
With the power of the zoom on some of the drones such as the Z30 the drone can be 600-700 metres away, probably more to get the footage they need.
This has been going on long before drones were around. Cherry pickers were used from residential driveways overlooking the course to allow a video camera to capture the footage required.
If you haven’t seen it, Michael McCool did a very informative article on the issue
Of course, the betting industry could put a stop on it overnight, if they stopped the in play betting, but then they would lose money!
Some interesting developments on social media with FOI requests going in and legal action being threatened. Watch this space and I will update you on the next blog.
Again, If you have any negative drone stories then please let me know as I would like to have this as a regular feature for each blog Email
CAA UPDATES AND SAFETY NOTICES
I represent Iprosurv as a CAA RPAS stakeholder and attend several meetings so get an opportunity to hear from the CAA and any updates they have.
I attended the recent RPAS Stakeholders meeting a few weeks ago where they gave an update on the Drone registration figures:
250,000 Active Operator IDs
270,000 Active Flyer IDs of which 5,000 were issued to under 13 year olds.
7,000 Operational Authorisations have been issued for the PDRA-01, which is about the same as what PfCO numbers were.
30 active RAEs and don’t forget we are one of them!
Safety reporting project.
The RPAS unit admitted that given the volume of flyers, the level of reporting is very low, especially when compared to GA. With 270,000 known flyer IDs, around 7,000 Operational Authorisations there are around 44 MORs per month.
The RPAS unit has set up a project to look at how this can be improved and understand why reports are not being done.
Don’t be afraid to report an incident, its not about apportioning blame but about learning from others and improving safety in the industry.
Work is being done to re-publish CAP 722 and make it more of a new easy access guide to the regulations, like the Skyway Code.
A new and updated version of the AMC/GM to the UAS IR will take the place of CAP 722.
The UK CAA will produce a UK specific SORA
We then discussed Article 11 and the rules around conducting an Operational Risk Assessment (ORA) which will replace the Operating Safety Case (OSC) in due course.
Of the 45 current CAA Safety Notice Publications (see link) there is only one applicable to Unmanned Aircraft Systems. SN-2020/010 Unmanned Aircraft – Responses to abnormal operations and in-flight failures. For those who have an Operational authorisation, you should have made reference to this safety notice and recorded when you have carried out your practise of your procedures. If you haven’t read this safety notice then please do so asap as it may help you recover from an emergency situation.
There were several Skywise publications flagged for the Drone alert. Mostly changes of airspace and NOTAMS being issued, latest CHIRP bulletins and the new scheme of charges.
Scheme of charges; The latest scheme of charges for UAS can be found at the following link I have copied the main table for UAS OAs and variation fees but you will need to visit the link above to get more details. Let’s just say there is a small price increase in all areas, but not as bad as my electricity and fuel bills!
If you haven’t heard of it or subscribed, the CAA’s Skywise is a fantastic tool to allow you to keep yourself up to date with the latest CAA publications. You can set alerts to receive emails on updates for drones such as legislation updates, airspace updates or safety notices. Please subscribe at the following link
AIRPROX ALERTS
A number of airprox reports involving a drone have been discussed at the February meeting and details can be found at the following link
An interesting read is the investigation into the Airprox for a DJI Matrice drone (they seem to be in the news a lot) and a Jabiru J430 fixed wing flying close to Lark Engine Farm airstrip. Worthy of a read, as highlights the need for planning and issues when working around an airstrip with no FRZ
AAIB REPORTS
The recent AAIB investigations into UAS incidents can be found at the following link
Since my last blog there have been 4 investigations, all relating to the DJI Matrice series of drones.
DJI M210 V1 – 19th November 2020, 1150 hours Poole Dorset – Fly away due to battery issue
DJI M300 – 21st November 2021, 2251 hours Blacon, Cheshire – UA arms not locked securely
DJI M300 – 17th August 2021, 0036 hours, Dursley, Gloucs – UA arms not locked securely
DJI M300 – 3rd August 2021,2337 hours, Old Trafford, Manchester – UA arms not locked securely
These are interesting incidents that have happened to quite a large and heavy drone. They all appear to have been operated by the emergency services at the time.
I am not attempting to be the nine o’clock jury when I talk about these incidents. I have been on the end of that type of jury before in my career. I wasn’t there at the time so can’t comment on what else is happening with the drone pilots, all I can go through is the AAIB reports which I believe would be the closest one could get to the facts as they would have carried out an in depth investigations looking at flight logs and dealing with the remote pilot and drone manufacturer.
The reports are full of facts and advice and there are some easy take aways to prevent these happening again, so I am hoping all the Emergency services Accountable managers are looking at their processes and procedures to prevent a repeat.
The M210 incident is very different from the other 3 and has its own areas to be addressed to prevent a reoccurrence. Seems technology has also played a part to prevent a repeat with a safety catch introduced to the M300 to prevent the battery popping out. But there are plenty of M210s still out there that this could happen again. Human factors appear to play a big part here and opportunities for an observer to double check battery fitment and voltage readings.
It is a good reminder to all, that if you take a wind speed reading using an anemometer than that is at handheld height and will be different to wind speed at 400 feet. Likewise using apps to help measure wind speed may be misleading especially when it is right on the limit of your drone.
The AAIB has raised 4 safety notices as a result of this investigation. 3 are for DJI and the 4th for the CAA.
The three for DJI relate to notifications for the Go App 4 to raise awareness to the remote pilot (or observer if 2 controllers used) of the wind speed and the effect on the drone and associated warnings.
The 4th safety notice was for the CAA to clarify the VLOS distances away from the remote pilot. CAP 722 states that ‘The CAA will normally accept that the VLOS requirement is met when a UA is flown out to a distance of 500 metres horizontally from the remote pilot but only if the aircraft can still be seen at that distance’
The remote pilot using the M210 stated they could see the UA but not its orientation which raised concerns with the AAIB that if they can’t see the orientation of the UA how could they be expected to avoid a collision if they didn’t know which way the UA was facing. The safety notice is requiring the CAA to clarify the meaning of VLOS especially where it is not just about being able to see the UA. As yet there has been no clarification from the CAA over this.
The three M300 crashes are very interesting and appear to have all been involved in a search operation. All occurred in hours of darkness 2251 hours, 0036 hours and 2337 hours. Lots of coincidences there that cannot be ignored. Has human factors played a part in the deployment of the drone, was their sufficient light in setting up, has the time of day been a cause, was there any pressure on locating the person they were looking for.
Like I have said I am not apportioning blame on anyone, I have been a Police drone pilot for several years but just looking to see what we can take from this and dovetail into training and CPD.
The emergency services need extra training on top of their basic CAA training as they operate drones differently to your average drone user.
When working with DJI the AAIB found that there may be an issue with the folding arms and lock collar:
When the arms are extended during preparation for flight, they are each locked in place by a ‘twist to lock’ collar. To prepare for flight the collar is slid along each arm towards the main body of the UAS to a position where it encloses the hinge mechanism. The collar is then rotated clockwise which engages and tightens on a threaded section and the collar ‘clicks’ into a locked position. This action ensures the arm is held rigidly. There is a small alignment placard on each arm to show that the collar is locked. However, the arm, hinge and collar assemblies on these commercial grade UAS are of high quality and are manufactured to close tolerances. As a result, when the collar is slid into its initial position to surround the hinge, it immediately holds the arm rigidly in the extended position even though the collar has not been rotated and locked. It is therefore possible to assume the arm is held correctly but the collar is not locked. If the UAS is launched in this condition the vibration in the arm caused by the motor and propeller, although slight, causes the collar to move outwards, releasing the hinge. A combination of procession and thrust from the rotating propeller then causes the arm to fold.
Don’t forget, if you are involved in an Aircraft accident or serious incident you must report this to the AAIB 24/7 on their 24 hour reporting line 01252 512299.
Further guidance about what to report can be found here
CHIRP REPORTS
Confidential Human –Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) is an Aviation and Maritime Confidential incident reporting forum whose aim is to contribute to the enhancement of aviation safety in the UK by providing a totally independent confidential (not anonymous) reporting system for all individuals employed in or associated with the aviation industry. https://www.chirp.co.uk/
If you didn’t catch it in my last blog the January Drone Feedback report can be found at the following link No other reports have been issued where drones have been mentioned, but the latest GA feedback report is a good read.
STORMS
Finally, I couldn’t end without mentioning the severe weather that hit us in February. In the space of one week, we had three severe weather warnings affecting the UK. Named storms Eunice, Dudley and Franklin caused havoc with the weather and sadly several people were killed.
Very rare to see a red ‘danger to life’’ weather warnings but to see two on the same day is even rarer. With top speeds of 122 mph recorded at the Needles, Isle of Wight, it was a good time to batten down the hatches and take the time to carry out some drone maintenance, update log books and postpone any jobs.
WRAP UP
That’s it for now for this report.
If you have any suggestions or ideas as to what you want me to mention in my next Blog then please let me know.
In the next blog I will be discussing maintenance issues and what you can do as an Operator to keep your drone safe when flying. I will be speaking with an authorised DJI repairer to find out the current trends in collisions and hopefully get an update from the CAA regarding MOR reports.
With us now moving to British Summer Time, it is great to see the evenings getting lighter to extend our operational flying time.
Established in 2014, Iprosurv provides companies with the in-house capability of drone and data/media delivery services. Our CAMERA system and optimum drone operator platform provides bespoke services be that an on-demand, fully managed service to independent data/media delivery services.
Iprosurv is a pioneer in the provision of drone technology across a range of industries. Its current network of pilots, covering the entirety of the UK, use a proprietary system to record, store and deliver drone data to clients in a fast and secure way. From building surveys to flood response to assisting emergency services, Iprosurv continues to push the boundaries of how drones can be used in business.
Time now for the second blog of the series. “Andrews Inspired Blog, it’s all about drones” Thanks for the feedback some of you have sent me, much appreciated.
IPROSURV NEWS
Storm Arwen and drones
This month Iprosurv were commissioned to produce vital data for the aftermath of storm Arwen flying in excess of 200 hectares of windblown damaged forestry, read the full case study here.
Operations manual review service
Iprosurv has launched it’s Operations Manual review service, the service will not only focus on reviewing your operations manual, but also a one to one online meeting explaining the changes that have taken place and ensuring that the operator understands the changes and why.
This is part of the Iprosurv consultancy service.
There is more info later in the blog.
NEW DRONES
No new drones on the market that have sparked my interest. You could say that the Mavic 3 is turning into a new drone with every software update that comes out. Rather than release all the features on launch, some owners have been frustrated with the drip feed of new features, the first time this has been done.
A lot of talk on various social media groups of the Inspire 2 being unavailable or limited in stock on certain websites. Increasing rumours suggest an Inspire 3 may be on the cards. Awaiting to hear any further news.
POSITIVE DRONE STORIES
The Emergency services continue to use their social media accounts to highlight the good work and results they are getting from the use of their drones. We continue to see the positive effect that drones are having on policing in finding missing persons, apprehending suspects at large as well as supporting various police departments and other emergency services such as fire and ambulance.
West Midlands Police
West Midlands Police are partnering with Urban-Air port in Coventry as part of the launch of the world’s first operational Urban-Air port for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) which takes place on 25th April 2022 to provide a public demonstration of unmanned aerial vehicles. This is a great development in the use of drones and how they are innovating the emergency services sector link
National Police Air Service
Moving on from that the National Police Air Service (NPAS) have announced that they are leading on a Home Office approved project to better understand the capabilities of beyond visual line of site flights for the emergency services. At the moment forces can only operate within visual line of sight (except under an OSC or Emergency Services Exemption). Other forces involved in this project are the Met Police, Norfolk constabulary, West Midlands Police and Thames Valley police. They are initially looking at a BVLOS range of up to 20 miles away. Could this mean a drone operating in the Certified Category? link
Sausage Rescue Drone
Rescuing dogs by drone has hit the headlines again! Did you see the report of the Denmead Drone search and rescue team rescuing Millie the Jack-Russell whippet cross by dangling a sausage from a drone to lure her away from the mudflats. link
If you have any positive drone stories then please let me know as I would like to have this as a regular feature for each blog. Email
NEGATIVE DRONE STORIES
Drone stops football game
Probably the most highly featured negative drone story was the drone flight that halted the Brentford v Wolves football match for about 20 minutes on 22nd January 2022. I was actually watching it live on TV at the time it happened.
From the footage of the drone captured by the TV cameras at the game it appears to have been a DJI Mini 2. The game was stopped for around 20 minutes while the drone flew over the pitch. The ref had no option but to take the players off the pitch as it would be difficult to know what the threat if any, was from the drone itself. With the Mini 2 weighing in at 249g it is unlikely to have carried a payload to threaten the spectators and players.
All premier league stadiums should have a DJI geofence around them known as Authorization Zones, coloured blue on the DJI Fly safe map. These zones can be unlocked by the user as they will be prompted with a warning and the flight limited in height. Authorised users using a DJI verified account can unlock the zone. However, when I was doing some research at the time, it appeared that the newly built Brentford Football stadium did not have the blue Authorisation zone around it allowing the Mini 2 pilot to take off with no restrictions.
DJI fly safe
As you can see from the snap shot of the DJI Fly Safe map the Authorization zone was added the following day on 23/01/2022, so someone must have realised an error had been made. One explanation could be that Brentford football club were promoted to the Premier league at the end of the season last year. Prior to promotion whilst they were in the Championship league they are not afforded a DJI Geozone around their stadium, so it would appear an error had been made which was quickly rectified the following day. Interestingly Brentford football stadium lies slap bang in the centre between the eastern end of the Heathrow RPZ and the western end of the London Heliport FRZ.
The authorisation zones do not prevent drones flying within them and it would be easy enough to set up a dodgy DJI user account if you wanted to.
Gatwick
Another interesting point raised on several social media platforms was that how come the small Mini 2 drone was picked up by numerous TV cameras, but the Gatwick drone reportedly to be a lot bigger was not picked up by anyone with a camera, or was it just too far away!
Drone Detection
Over the next couple of days there was a lot of activity on social media of Drone detection equipment companies offering their wares to help football stadiums detect these drones. It is down to each football stadium to provide that equipment as opposed to the local Police
Again, If you have any negative drone stories then please let me know as I would like to have this as a regular feature for each blog Email
CAA UPDATES AND SAFETY NOTICES
Of the 44 current CAA Safety Notice Publications (see link) there is still only one applicable to Unmanned Aircraft Systems. SN-2020/010 Unmanned Aircraft – Responses to abnormal operations and in-flight failures. Make sure you are familiar with this safety notice and carry out your emergency procedures regularly. Update them if they need updating.
If you didn’t catch it CAP 1789A was updated to version 5 dated 14th December 2021, make sure you have read it and updated your referenced documents table.
There have been no Skywise notifications that relate to drones since my last blog post (except the CHIRP drones feedback discussed below)
If you haven’t heard of it or subscribed, the CAA’s Skywise is a fantastic tool to allow you to keep yourself up to date with the latest CAA publications. You can set alerts to receive emails on updates for drones such as legislation updates, airspace updates or safety notices. Please subscribe at the following link
AIRPROX ALERTS
The Airprox website if you haven’t’ already seen it, is well worth a visit. There is a lot of analysis and reports and the Airprox reports of 2021 are an interesting read with a map showing locations of reports. No reports have been published as yet.
AAIB REPORTS
Since my last blog, the AAIB have published the following two reports involving a drone.
AAIB Investigation into Evolve Dynamics Sky Mantis drone crash which occurred in Skegness, Lincoln on 14th January 2021. The final report was published on 13th January 2022 and can be found here
In summary the crash was caused by stress corrosion cracking a screw which attached the propeller blade of the UA to the motor hub adaptor which subsequently failed during a training flight causing the drone to crash to the ground. Evolve dynamics are understood to have introduced several design changes to prevent a repeat.
AAIB investigation into a DJI Inspire 2 crash caused by an unexplained loss of control whereby it crashed into the top of a tower structure in Brighton on 20th July 2021. The final report was published on 13th January and can be found here in summary an unexplained loss of C2 link caused the I2 to descend out of line of site of the remote pilot and land on top of the tower causing extensive damage but no injuries.
Again if you have not read the AAIB reports then they are a must read. They are not there to apportion blame but to have the incident investigated and highlight any safety issues that could prevent a similar incident in the future.
Don’t forget, if you are involved in an Aircraft accident or serious incident you must report this to the AAIB 24/7 on their 24 hour reporting line 01252 512299.
Further guidance about what to report can be found here
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA)
This is an interesting report released by the FAA which I think is worthy of a mention. It involves a crash between a helicopter and a Mavic 2 Zoom in California on 6th February 2020, with the final report recently released.
Both the helicopter and Mavic 2 were filming at the same event, an off road race involving cars. The Mavic 2 was operating under the Part 107 so we assume had a good amount of training. Both pilots knew of each other’s presence at the event but there was no communication of separation plans between them. At some stage the two collided whilst filming the same car. What is interesting is the damage they suffered. The helicopter suffered small scratches on the right hand side of the windscreen, whereas the rear right motor arm was separated from the Mavic.
The FAA concluded that the probable cause and findings was:
‘the failure of the small UAS remote pilot to give way to the helicopter, resulting in an inflight collision’
‘Contributing to the incident was the sUAS remote pilot’s failure to assess and mitigate the risks of operations in close proximity to other aircraft. Also contributing to the incident was the lack of inclusion of the sUAS operations as a part of the aviation activity and risk mitigation’
Several comments on social media have picked up on the minor damage suffered to the helicopter and how we have often heard that any helicopter crash with a drone could bring the helicopter down. There are lots of talking points here and variables such as point of impact, speed of drone, and weight of drone in this incident before one can conclude anything especially with the new 249g class of drone.
Confidential Human –Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) is an Aviation and Maritime Confidential incident reporting forum whose aim is to contribute to the enhancement of aviation safety in the UK by providing a totally independent confidential (not anonymous) reporting system for all individuals employed in or associated with the aviation industry. https://www.chirp.co.uk/
Their latest Aviation feedback report for drones, edition 3 dated January 2022 can be found here
I would thoroughly recommend reading all the CHIRP reports, but this is a good one to read as it reports on four separate crashes involving a drone. There is some good advice in each of the reports as to what happened and ways to prevent them happening in the future. Be interesting to know if the operator in report 1 amended any of their procedures to prevent a repeat.
Their latest Air Transport report edition 141 dated January 2022 has a very informative article on Fatigue and refers to it as an ‘insidious issue’. Some useful advice and links in the report to help you understand how to recognise and combat fatigue link
As I have mentioned earlier in this blog, now the days are starting to get longer with more daylight to carry out drone flights, we must consider fatigue. The vast majority of drone operators have a day job so have probably already been working 8-10 hours in various roles. If you now add in a drone flight after work you can see how factors like fatigue can affect your concentration levels and loss of alertness. The lighter evenings are most welcome and a sure sign summer is coming, but make sure you factor in the hours you have already worked when planning an evening or early morning drone flight. A good way to remind you of this is to add something into your operations manual if you have an Operational Authorisation.
MOR REPORTS
I am still waiting for an update from the CAA regarding the number of MORs that are being submitted. I would guess a large number of MOR eligible reports are not being submitted, especially in the Open Category.
Points 10 to 19 of the Drone and Model Aircraft Code talks about ‘Making every flight safe’ It highlights how to report near misses and dangerous incidents and gives the appropriate Eccairs2 link. So everyone with a Flyer ID should know the process to follow. Prior to the Flyer ID requirement the hobby drone user was never really aware of the MOR reporting system unless they were members of a club.
OPERATIONS MANUAL RENEWAL
When I completed by course with Euro USC back in 2014 to obtain my PFAW (if you know you know!) I was UAV number 534. I was very new to Ops manuals so asked around on the various social media sites for some help and was quoted £1200 to review my completed ops manual!!!
As you know when operating in the Specific Category you will need to submit an Operations manual to the CAA to apply for your Operational Authorisation. If you are a newly qualified General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) holder you will have had your Operations manual assessed and approved by your Recognised Assessment Entity. This could be either a new Operations Manual you have developed yourself or one from a company you will be working for.
This could be either a new Operations Manual you have developed yourself or one from a company you will be working for. Once you have been issued your OA, you will need to keep your operations manual updated to reflect any changes to your organisation or operations and any regulatory changes. You should submit your updated OM to the CAA so they can update their records. This is not part of a variation as they do not assess the new OM but merely update their records should they carry out an audit on you.
You only have to google the phrase Operations Manual Renewal to find a large number of companies who will offer a service to create or update your operations manual for submission to the CAA when renewing your Operational Authorisation (OA). With the CAA now potentially charging a £124 rejection fee if your OA renewal application doesn’t meet their criteria, some operators are turning to these services to ensure they get through the assessment.
Whilst these companies are providing a service it is essential that you understand the changes they are suggesting or making to your operations manuals especially where there have been changes to the regulations or new referenced documents. Some companies are offering a fast turnaround which may imply that it can be submitted quickly without you having to check or read it.
Using consultancy services is very common in all industries. It not only helps people keep abreast of changes, but it can provide new ideas, ways of working, procedures and safer practises. If you are paying for a service make sure you get your money’s worth and get everything explained to you. The content and accuracy of your Operations Manual and associated checklist, procedures and emergency procedures are the responsibility of the Accountable Manager/Operator, they must know its content and ensure all remote pilot who work under that Operations Manual are aware of any new content.
BATTERY CARE
I have recently seen lots of moans on some Facebook groups about battery chargers only charging one battery at a time, especially the Mavic series and Mini 2. I think you would all agree that your drone battery is essential in maintaining flight and it is vitally important to ensure it is looked after and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for charging, maintenance, storage and disposal.
I have recently seen lots of moans on some Facebook groups about battery chargers only charging one battery at a time, especially the Mavic series and Mini 2. I think you would all agree that your drone battery is essential in maintaining flight and it is vitally important to ensure it is looked after and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions for charging, maintenance, storage and disposal.
Storing your battery during the winter months when you are not flying must be done correctly and stored at the correct charge level to prolong their battery life and performance.
There are numerous third party chargers out there that will charge all your batteries at once but they are not recommended. Some chargers may charger at a greater rate than 1C, which might charge your batteries quicker but will reduce the life of the battery and potentially damage the cells due to high temperatures.
Always use the charger provider by the manufacturer as this will ensure the battery is charged correctly without causing it any damage.
WRAP UP
That’s it from me for this blog. Remember, these are my thoughts, comments and research so don’t be offended if they differ from what you think.
Established in 2014, Iprosurv provides companies with the in-house capability of drone and data/media delivery services. Our CAMERA system and optimum drone operator platform provides bespoke services be that an on-demand, fully managed service to independent data/media delivery services.
Iprosurv is a pioneer in the provision of drone technology across a range of industries. Its current network of pilots, covering the entirety of the UK, use a proprietary system to record, store and deliver drone data to clients in a fast and secure way. From building surveys to flood response to assisting emergency services, Iprosurv continues to push the boundaries of how drones can be used in business.
Following on from my announcement as the new Director of training and development, I have decided to start 2022 with a regular blog to keep you updated with my pick of the latest developments and safety information in the drone industry as well as what we are doing in Iprosurv. Carry on reading, “Andrews Inspired Blog, it’s about all drones”.
I know there are lots of blogs out there but hopefully, you will find this one as informative with some ‘standing agenda’ items covered each time. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like me to research and cover. I am working on a few ideas to keep the blogs interesting and topical and will be looking for some engagement from you with any good news stories about drones or things you have done that others could learn from.
IPROSURV NEWS
Iprosurv recently advertised for a new franchise opportunity to come and work with us. If you haven’t seen the full advert then please visit our LinkedIn account at the following link to find out more about this exciting opportunity and the support you will receive.
I have created a couple of online courses which I will be presenting in person. Like some others, I have been very frustrated at some of the questions on various social media accounts where it is clear some remote pilots and operators are not understanding the new regulations. Some of these questions are coming from people who have passed their A2 or GVC qualifications so they either didn’t ask their RAE during their training or were given the wrong advice.
The first course is entitled ‘Drone regulations – Simplifying the jargon’ and is a 2-hour presentation where I use simple language to break down the jargon which seems to be confusing people. These include subjects such as Article 16, flying in Europe, Class of Drone and should I bother renewing my PfCO. The courses are limited to 10 people at a time to allow for some interaction and engagement to maximise the opportunity to learn about the new regs and ask questions. You can find this course at the following link ‘Drone regulations – simplifying the jargon’
The second course is entitled: ‘Learn how to fly your drone safely and within the regulations and is aimed at newcomers to the drone world, maybe those who got a drone as a Christmas present or just starting out. Again a two-hour presentation in person where topics such as airspace, battery care, basic maintenance and so on will be covered. This fills the gap for the Mini 2 and other subs 250g drones where the remote pilot does not legally need to learn the drone code and obtain a Flyer ID, so won’t know what an FRZ is or restricted airspace. You can find this course at the following link ‘Learn how to fly your drone safely and within the regulations’
Finally, I am also giving the opportunity of a one to one session with me to discuss anything drone-related, whether it is about new regulations, business models, initial OSC consultancy to Ops manual content. I have been asked several times to hold these one to one sessions so pleased to be able to announce them. You can find how to apply for the one to one session at the following link insert link to the course
NEW DRONES
I have been flying drones since 2014 and started off with the (at the time) highly capable DJI Phantom 1 with a GoPro 3 Hero black hung underneath, as well as a couple of fixed-wing drones and other DJI models. I don’t confess to being a drone test pilot so will leave that skill to the numerous bloggers, reviewers and youtube accounts where new drones are tested, compared and reported upon. The comparisons are really interesting and can often help with the decision on what drone to purchase. I have flown in a wide variety of scenarios, as a hobbyist, a commercial operator and a Police remote pilot in very demanding situations and using the Emergency Services Exemption.
A number of new drones have recently been released, non so eagerly awaited as the DJI Mavic 3 and what a capable (and expensive) drone it appears to be. Reading through some of the reviews it is a game-changer for some and a long-awaited upgrade to the Mavic 2. I also noticed Sony have now released their Airpeak S1 after initially teasing us with a preview in January 2021.
The sub 250g drones has never been so important since the new EU regs (UK (EU) Reg No 947/2019) that came into force on 31st December 2020. This weight category allows flights in the A1 subcategory with no training requirement. In fact, all you need to do is read the manufacturer’s instruction manual and register as an Operator (unless under 18 and someone else who is 18 has to register as an operator).
There is not even a requirement for the Flyer ID element of the CAA’s Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service. I think this may be an oversight and missed opportunity as to how will the new remote pilot know the rules and regulations. When the C class (UK class in the UK) of drones is introduced on 1st January 2023 then all new drones should have a card inside the box to tell you exactly what you can and can’t do, but no requirement if you buy a second hand from eBay!
POSITIVE DRONE STORIES
The Emergency services continue to deliver excellent results with the use of their drones to support aviation assets. My old force Devon and Cornwall Police, have been finding missing people as well as Lincolnshire Police and West Midlands Police. Some of the Police forces have some really good drone Twitter accounts so I would advise checking them out for any updates and see how they are using their drones.
A nice story you may have missed was the Search and Rescue dog Juno that went missing while out walking and was found by a Norfolk Search and Rescue drone after being missing for 5 days https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-59803073
Both at home and abroad we are seeing drones starting to make an impact on delivering vital supplies. In the UK we have seen hybrid and fixed-wing drones delivering essential items such as medical supplies, samples and post to remote islands or hard to reach surgeries and hospitals. Whilst at the CAA, I was involved in authorising the Operating Safety Cases allowing BVLOS flights to enable these vital deliveries. There was a huge amount of collaboration between stakeholders involved in getting temporary airspace restrictions to enable these operations to be carried out safely.
If you have any positive drone stories then please let me know as I would like to have this as a regular feature for each blog.
NEGATIVE DRONE STORIES
I am not sure if it is me but as drones are becoming more and more popular and talked about, I am seeing less reports of drone misuse being reported in the press. Are they now becoming more acceptable to the public so they are not reporting any misuse? The press seem to be reporting more good use of drones than bad. The anniversary of Gatwick drone incident of December 2019 passed by without incident but it is still be talked about as to whether a drone was sighted or not. The press ran a number of articles with different theories. However, we have not seen a repeat of this incident that has closed an airport for so long.
The only negative story I saw in the press in my local area was a drone being used to scare sea lions that were resting on a rock down off the Cornish coast
Interestingly I have not seen any articles relating to drone crashes, mid-air collisions, or accidents. So are we saying drones are inherently safe, the remote pilots are safe as it can’t be just down to luck that the drone industry has not had any reported fatalities since they started? Actually, should this be a positive drone story?
Again, If you have any negative drone stories then please let me know as I would like to have this as a regular feature for each blog.
CAA UPDATES AND SAFETY NOTICES
Of the 48 current CAA Safety Notice Publications (see link) there is only one applicable to Unmanned Aircraft Systems. SN-2020/010 Unmanned Aircraft – Responses to abnormal operations and in-flight failures. For those who have an Operational authorisation, you should have made reference to this safety notice and recorded when you have carried out your practice of your procedures. If you haven’t read this safety notice then please do so asap as it may help you recover from an emergency situation.
Have you seen the latest CAA makeover? Their website has had an update. I quite like the new look, a lot easier to find the pages you are looking for and some great info about drones. You will see they are using the term Remotely Piloted Aircraft now instead if Unmanned aircraft (one to remember for your Ops manuals!) I can see where they are coming from but they still use both terms so need to be more consistent.
Click on the following link and have a look at the latest pages on drones.
The following link provides a lot of detail for the public who do not fly drones, some good info but again uses the term UAS where they could have used RPA if that is what it is changing to. There are some useful fact sheets there to help explain the regs. They were launched when the new regs came out last year so are not new, but a new webpage gives a good opportunity to launch them again.
The latest sky wise publication relevant to UAS was the information that the restricted airspace over Windsor Castle was being made permanent from 27th January 2022. Prior to that, the next UAS relevant Skywise alert was for the publication of the latest version of CAP 1789A, version 5, dated 14th December 2021 link (make sure you update your ops manual reference table). This document provides readers with a consolidated version of the text within the UAS Implementing Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2019/947 as retained (and amended in UK domestic law) under the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018).
AIRPROX ALERTS
Airprox reports can be contentious for some, as they believe that the vague description, lack of detail and corroboration by the reporting person is providing unreliable information in some cases. We are now seeing more unknown objects being classified. The Airprox website if you haven’t already seen it, is well worth a visit. There is a lot of analysis and reports and the Airprox reports of 2021 are an interesting read. Please be aware of the criteria for submitting an Airprox report
AAIB REPORTS
Another good source of information is the AAIB reports where a UAS has been involved. The latest report involved a Prion Mk 3 fixed-wing UAS which crashed due to loss of power on Salisbury Plain in February 2021. The report highlighted some issues with the spark plug cap not being fitted securely which resulted in the UAS manufacturer modifying the fleet of Prion Mk3s and the operator changing their training and operational procedures.
Prior to that the AAIB investigated the crash of a Parrot Anafi USA which was being used in support of a police search operation. The remote pilot took off without acquiring sufficient GPS satellites to enable a ‘Home point’ to be acquired. This resulted in a loss of control and subsequent fly away when the RTH function did not operate as the pilot expected. The operator amended their inflight checklist to ensure a home location is recorded before take off.
These reports are not there to apportion blame, but to investigate what happened and try to prevent a repeat. In some cases the AAIB can recommend a Safety recommendation to the CAA. The safety notice 2020/010 mentioned above is a good example of a safety notice issued by the CAA after an AAIB investigation.
CHIRP REPORTS
Confidential Human –Factors Incident Reporting Programme (CHIRP) is an Aviation and Maritime Confidential incident reporting forum whose aim is to contribute to the enhancement of aviation safety in the UK by providing a totally independent confidential (not anonymous) reporting system for all individuals employed in or associated with the aviation industry. https://www.chirp.co.uk/
MOR REPORTS
I am trying to work with the CAA to get an idea of the number and type of MOR reports that are being submitted. Obviously anonymised but it would be good to know how many MOR reports are being submitted and for what reason and what drone.
Remember, even when operating in the Open Category or Article 16 you have to report incidents under ECCAIRS. The Drone an Model Aircraft Code states:
WRAP UP
So that’s for my first blog, I hope you found it informative and interesting. I would like to hear more about some of your drone jobs, experiences, crashes, tips, or tricks that you are willing to share with others through this blog. I see it as information sharing to help others learn from your knowledge and experiences so we can work together as an industry. My next blog will be coming in early March.
I am in the process if setting up a twitter and Instagram account to share further safety information and drone topics so please look out for them and give me a follow when you see them.
Established in 2014, Iprosurv provides companies with the in-house capability of drone and data/media delivery services. Our CAMERA system and optimum drone operator platform provides bespoke services be that an on-demand, fully managed service to independent data/media delivery services.
Iprosurv is a pioneer in the provision of drone technology across a range of industries. Its current network of pilots, covering the entirety of the UK, use a proprietary system to record, store and deliver drone data to clients in a fast and secure way. From building surveys to flood response to assisting emergency services, Iprosurv continues to push the boundaries of how drones can be used in business.
Rebecca Jones is the CEO and Co-founder of Iprosurv: When we started Iprosurv, we knew we didn’t just have to build a business. In many ways we, along with all the other commercial drone providers, had to build a whole new sector from scratch and that is no easy task.
And when you are targeting the insurance sector, not necessarily known for its ability to embrace change, that task becomes much harder. But in the last seven or so years, we have made good progress in insurance and our pilots are regularly instructed on a range of insurance projects from building inspections to flood damage assessment and everything in between.
Slow progress
If I’m honest though, the progress has been slower than we imagined. We have spent an inordinate amount of time with individual businesses across the insurance spectrum, showing them what drones can do and how they can make a range of insurance processes much more efficient, safe and cost effective.
That hands-on approach works but it takes time, time that I’m not sure the insurance industry has if it is to digitise its processes in the way it says it wants to. But according to some recent research conducted by Research in Insurance in conjunction with Iprosurv, we could be about to reach a tipping point in the adoption of drones in insurance.
Open door?
When asked if they would use drones if they reduced the claims life cycle (which we have proven they do), not one insurer said that they wouldn’t use them with only 6% of brokers ruling the idea out. That sounds like an open door for Iprosurv but if this is the case, why isn’t every insurer and broker using them?
When asked why they hadn’t yet adopted drones, 54% of respondents said it was because they didn’t have the influence to introduce them to the business and around a third said there was a lack of appetite higher up in the organisation.
This research shows that appetite for using drones was highest among employees at support levels which suggests that we have some work to do to convince the decision makers (who aren’t necessarily at the front line) of the benefits of drones. Their people appear to want to use them so why aren’t management responding?
Education and understanding is key
It seems clear that this challenge is on us, the drone providers. Nearly a third of insurers (32%) and 28% of brokers admitted that they just don’t understand the tech with 11% of insurers and 30% of brokers saying they don’t see a need.
It’s clear there is an education job here for all commercial drone providers. While those on the front line may see the potential benefit, they are not the ones whose necks are on the line when it comes to making the decision to use them.
So it’s on us as providers to ensure that the decision makers ‘get it’ and can see for themselves that drones offer a completely new way of managing not just claims but also conducting surveys for risk management.
Cost benefits?
We need to show them not just the tech, but the practical cost benefits that they can bring to almost any organisation. And we need to show them that drones are set to play a key role in the industry-wide drive towards digitisation.
When asked what kind of technology they would like to see used more in the industry, drones proved to be the fifth most popular behind automated claims processing, claims portals, greater us of videos and cameras and the introduction of claims apps, out of a total of 20 choices.
Everything appears to be in place. Frontline employees get it. Organisations see drones playing a key role in digitisation. And not one insurer said that they wouldn’t use drones if they reduced the claims life cycle.
Keeping the faith
These are really solid foundations to build upon and if we can educate and convince decision makers that drones are safe, the data they produce is handled compliantly and that they can streamline processes that have remained largely unchanged for decades, we may finally get to that tipping point.
Everything everyone in the commercial drone sector has done to date is having an impact. The research shows that. Now we just need to keep the faith.
The appetite is there but it is being dampened by lingering suspicions about drone technology. That is the bit we need to crack, I think. That is the bit that is preventing us from reaching tipping point. And it is that bit that we all now need to focus on.
From this point on, it has to be all about education, education, education. Once we deliver that, there’s no telling how integral drones may become in insurance.
Established in 2014, Iprosurv is a pioneer in the provision of drone technology in the insurance industry and beyond. Its current network of pilots, covering the entirety of the UK, use a proprietary system to record, store and deliver drone data to clients in a fast and secure manner. From building surveys to flood response to assisting emergency services, Iprosurv continues to push the boundaries of how drones can be used in business.
With proud thanksgiving, a mother for her children, England mourns for her dead across the sea. Flesh of her flesh they were, spirit of her spirit, Fallen in the cause of the free.
Solemn the drums thrill: Death august and royal, Sings sorrow up into immortal spheres. There is music in the midst of desolation, And a glory that shines upon her tears.
They went with songs to the battle, they were young. Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
They mingle not with their laughing comrades again; They sit no more at familiar tables at home; They have no lot in our labour of the daytime; They sleep beyond England’s foam.
But where our desires are and our hopes profound, Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight, To the innermost heart of their own land they are known, As the stars are known to the night.
As the stars will be bright when we are dust, Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain; As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness, To the end, to the end, they remain.
Andrew Hamilton, Iprosurv’s new Director of Training and Development, talks about how he believes training and practical experience are the only way the commercial drone sector will secure the public trust that it needs to thrive.
It’s always exciting to start out on a new part of your career but joining Iprosurv as Director of Training and Development is particularly exciting as it feels we are on the cusp of something big.
Rebecca, the CEO of Iprosurv, will tell you that getting industry switched on to the potential of drones wasn’t an overnight thing and she and co-founder Shane have spent the last seven years convincing the world of business, one sector and one organisation at a time, that drones can revolutionise their operations.
And of course, they’ve not been alone in that – there are a growing number of commercial drone operators up and down the country doing the same and it is great to see them turning more and more organisations on to drones.
But that growth comes with a risk. There is still a general wariness of drones and while some organisations have plunged in, the majority are still dipping their toe to see what happens.
What every company experiences when they try drones for the first time, will have an impact on their perception of the drone sector and that one experience with one pilot can have serious consequences for all of us. Our collective reputation is at risk with every flight undertaken which is why it is so important that every flight is performed to the highest standards.
While it is a concern, it is also a huge opportunity for everyone in the sector which is why I’m so excited to have joined Iprosurv and to get started on the training.
My introduction to drones
I got into training by accident really. In 2013, I bought my first Phantom 1 with GoPro Hero 3 camera attached and after completing my drone training I was awarded my first PfCO in October 2014.
At the time, I was a serving Police Officer on the Roads Policing Unit where I was involved in investigating fatal road traffic collisions. At the time, we relied on the police helicopter to provide the aerial footage for our investigations but during one investigation the police helicopter was redeployed to a life-threatening incident and I was unable to get the aerial footage I needed.
So I decided to bring my drone out on patrol with me. Looking at the data the drone had collected was a big moment as we could all see in that one deployment how much more efficient and effective they could be.
I retired from the Police in 2016 but returned in 2017 to set up the first dedicated Police drone unit in the UK with up to 40 pilots and 15 drones. After their initial PfCO courses the drone unit would then teach the officers to fly drones in policing situations which is when my passion for teaching and training revealed itself.
That passion took to me to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as their UAS Sector lead, where I led a team dealing with OSC applications, auditing, oversight and enforcement of drone operators.
From there I became the Lead Instructor for an RAE delivering drone training on behalf of the CAA. The role of an RAE is to assist the CAA in assuring the competence of remote pilots that require an Operational Authorisation through the General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC).
The competency of UA pilots involved in the operation of an unmanned aircraft is one of the main factors in ensuring UA operations remain tolerably safe and give confidence for this industry.
And that was me – hooked on training new drone pilots and providing real flight time experience to them.
It’s all about professionalism
One of the key things that attracted me to Iprosurv was Rebecca and Shane’s commitment to high standards of training for all their pilots and their insistence that the sector had to become more professional if it was ever to fully realise its potential.
The training and development of all pilots in the Iprosurv network, supporting them as they take the step in flight ability and safety, is my number one priority and the more training we provide in new technology, techniques and regulatory requirements, the more professional our pilots will become.
As that professionalism starts to act as a differentiator for Iprosurv, others will hopefully be galvanised to similarly invest in best practice and training. Everyone operating in the commercial drone sector needs to continually challenge themselves and their peers to achieve ever higher standards.
If we do that for ourselves and for each other, I am convinced that we will all secure the trust from the public and from business that we need to ensure that commercial drones secure their rightful place as an intrinsic part of the economy.
Established in 2014, Iprosurv is a pioneer in the provision of drone technology in the insurance industry and beyond. Its current network of pilots, covering the entirety of the UK, use a proprietary system to record, store and deliver drone data to clients in a fast and secure manner. From building surveys to flood response to assisting emergency services, Iprosurv continues to push the boundaries of how drones can be used in business.
Andrew Hamilton, former Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) sector lead for the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), has joined one of the UK’s leading drone services providers, Iprosurv as Training and Development Director.
Ongoing Training and Mentoring
In his new role, Hamilton will be responsible for providing practical and theoretical training in the use of commercial drones to members of Pilot Partnerships, Iprosurv’s growing drone pilot network.
With nearly a decade’s experience in commercial drone flight, Hamilton brings a huge amount of training experience to Iprosurv having set up the UK’s first dedicated police drone unit with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary and having acted as lead instructor for a Recognised Assessment Entity on behalf of the CAA.
As all Iprosurv pilots are fully trained and licensed, Hamilton’s role will focus on providing ongoing training and mentoring in new technology and deployment techniques, education on developing regulation and providing practical training for new pilots.
Pilot Partners Highest Industry Standards
Commenting on the appointment, Rebecca Jones, CEO and co-founder of Iprosurv, said: “Andy brings a huge amount of personal flight experience and, most importantly, in training other pilots so we are delighted to have him on board.
“Iprosurv has always had a clear mission to hold ourselves and our pilots to the highest professional and technical standards and with Andy joining us, we can take that to the next level.”
While Hamilton will start work with members of Pilot Partnerships with immediate effect, he has begun the approval process of securing CAA approved training entity status for Iprosurv.
“After gaining your CAA Operational Authorisation, technically, a pilot is eligible to operate a drone in a very congested area like central London,” said Hamilton.
“The standards set by the CAA are high but the opportunity to gain the skills and experience after qualification is missing at the moment and that is the gap I hope to help Iprosurv fill. In much the same way that the Pass Plus is often used by new drivers, we want to introduce the Pass Plus for drone flight.
Training Consistency
“There are many thousands of commercial drone pilots operating in the UK but there is still a huge variation in quality and flight experience. We have to tackle that lack of consistency if we are going to earn the necessary trust of the public and the private sectors.”
Pilot Partnerships was set up earlier this year to provide a professional home for the thousands of independent pilots across the country, delivering consistent training and flight management processes and embedding strong professional standards.
“We are just one of many commercial drone providers in the UK, but what makes Iprosurv pilots stand out is the level of experience they have and the rigorous and continuous training they undertake,” said Jones.
“With Andy joining us, our pilots now have access to one of the most experienced individuals in the market in training and development and we look forward to introducing his expertise to more and more pilots across the country.”
Established in 2014, Iprosurv is a pioneer in the provision of drone technology in the insurance industry and beyond. Its current network of pilots, covering the entirety of the UK, use a proprietary system to record, store and deliver drone data to clients in a fast and secure manner. From building surveys to flood response to assisting emergency services, Iprosurv continues to push the boundaries of how drones can be used in business.
Iprosurv, one of the UK’s leading commercial drone providers, has today launched Pilot Partnerships, an ambitious new proposition to bring together the nation’s independent operators and drive greater levels of professionalism across the sector.
Co Operative Approach
Billed as a co-operative for commercial drone pilots, Pilot Partnerships aims to bring together the huge number of independent operators to provide mutual support, share best practice and work together to drive greater levels of professionalism and public trust in the sector.
Using Iprosurv’s proprietary software platform, members of Pilot Partnerships will have access to case management and flight planning software, data security, safety and environmental compliance support, tailored training, bespoke websites and a host of marketing and client prospecting support.
Commenting on the new initiative, Rebecca Jones, CEO and co-founder of Iprosurv, said: “The commercial drone industry is growing fast as more and more businesses look to new technology to solve old problems.
Fragmented Market
“But the commercial drone market is fragmented and made up of sole traders and micro-SMEs and the introduction of new regulations has made life tough for many. If we are to become the mature, professional industry that more and more sectors expect us to be, we have to come together, work together and grow together to create that.”
Iprosurv has a well-established network of drone pilots and has made a significant investment in ensuring that Iprosurv and its partners have the latest, safest technology available to help establish drones as a permanent feature of doing business.
Professional Operators
“We have huge ambitions for our sector, but we know we can’t do it on our own and we don’t think the hundreds of independent, professional operators we want to work with across the country can do it on their own either,” said Jones.
“Which is why we have set up Pilot Partnerships. We hope that, in time and with the right partners, Pilot Partnerships will become the gold standard in the industry and a guarantee of quality and professionalism to clients of all shapes and sizes.”
Mutually supporting
Pilot Partnerships is the first mutually supportive, network proposition in the commercial drone sector in the UK. The target profile for potential members is sole operators and organisations that have a specific sector or technical expertise.
“As Iprosurv, we have made great inroads into our chosen sectors but as our profile has grown, the huge potential in other markets is becoming apparent and we want to bring all our compliance, operational and customer service expertise to as many sectors as possible,” said Jones.
Partners
“We are looking to partner with drone operators who have technical and operational experience but require the support of a larger organisation to exploit the opportunities they see or sector experts who can help introduce us, and our partners, to new markets.
“Together, we can make a mark on the economy and ensure that drones have an integral role to play.”
Entry into the Pilot Partnerships community requires a small one-off fee and small percentage share of fees.
Iprosurv, one of the UK’s leading commercial drone providers, has bolstered its portfolio of drone services with the announcement that it has entered into a strategic partnership with thermal imaging specialists, iRed.
Established in 2002, iRed is the UK’s leader in thermal imaging, remote sensing and enterprise drone solutions and is certified by the Civil Aviation Authority for commercial drone pilots.
Under the partnership, iRed will provide Iprosurv with the latest, most accurate infrared imaging services on the market, expanding the drone operator’s existing broad range of services even further.
Best in Business Partners
Commenting on the deal, Rebecca Jones, co-founder and CEO of Iprosurv, said: “From the day we launched in 2014, we have always placed a huge amount of emphasis upon professionalism and setting the highest standards in training and technology use.
“We know where our specialisms lie and we will continue to build on them but where we don’t have the necessary level of expertise or experience, we will look to partner with the best in the business which led us to explore partnership possibilities with iRed.”
While thermal cameras are relatively commonplace in the commercial drone market, standard cameras lack the accuracy and sophistication required to provide businesses and individuals with the necessary insight.
“By partnering with iRed, we know that we are giving our clients the most up to date, accurate and detailed thermal capability on the market. We can’t reproduce that level of expertise, so we decided to partner with the best instead and make that expertise available to all of our client base.”
Commitment and Quality
Commenting on the deal, Jack Bloomfield, Marketing Manager for iRed, said: “All of our best clients come from long term partnerships. We always look to build sustained, long-term partnerships with the firms who have the same commitment to quality and professionalism that we do – and Iprosurv ticked all the boxes.
“The drone industry is still young but by sharing best practice, technology and expertise, we are working together to create the professional sector that we all want, and our clients deserve.”
The iRed is Iprosurv’s latest strategic partnership following the deals with agricultural specialist Sentera and UTM provider Altitude Angel
https://iprosurv.com/2022/04/14/andrews-inspired-blog-its-all-about-drones-2/Andrews Inspired Blog, it’s all about drones
https://iprosurv.com/2022/02/11/andrews-inspired-blog-its-all-about-drones/Andrews Inspired Blog, it’s all about drones
https://iprosurv.com/2022/01/07/andrews-inspired-blog-its-about-all-drones/Andrews Inspired Blog, it’s all about drones
https://iprosurv.com/2021/11/23/are-we-nearing-the-drone-tipping-point/Are we nearing the drone tipping point?
https://iprosurv.com/2021/11/11/ode-of-remembrance/We Will Remember Them 11/11/2021
https://iprosurv.com/2021/10/18/iprosurv-leading-the-way-to-a-more-professional-sector/Iprosurv: Leading the way to a more professional sector
https://iprosurv.com/2021/10/06/training-and-professionalism-come-to-the-fore-as-iprosurv-hires-former-caa-drone-sector-lead/Training and professionalism come to the fore as Iprosurv hires former CAA drone sector lead
https://iprosurv.com/2021/09/28/pilot-partnerships/Iprosurv “Pilot Partners” now adding new professional drone pilots.
https://iprosurv.com/2021/06/01/iprosurv-takes-another-stride-forward-with-new-thermal-imaging-partnership/Iprosurv takes another stride forward with new thermal imaging partnership
