F.A.Qs.
Are Cloud AeroDrones a registered limited UK company?
Yes
Are Cloud Aerodrones insured?
Yes. Fully compliant with EU regulation (EC) No 785/2004. Public Liability: GBP 1,000,000.00 (never less than 750,000 SDR’s).
What is a PDRA01?
A PDRA01 authorises you to fly Unmanned Aircraft (UA) between 250g and 25kg in residential, commercial, industrial and recreational areas.
Without a PDRA01, you must keep at least 150m away from residential, recreational, commercial and industrial areas. This includes remote buildings in rural areas.
To qualify for a PDRA01 Remote Pilots must be employed or contracted by a UAS Operator, hold a valid UK Flyer ID, hold a valid GVC, follow the requirements of UK Reg (EU) 2019/947, point UAS.SPEC.060, and be qualified as per the requirements of the Operations Manual.
What drone services to Cloud Aerodrones offer?
Drone filming and photography services that include roof inspections, indoor property videos, company showreels, estate agent works, land surveys, landscape garden overviews and construction timelapse projects. If you have a question, contact us.
Do you provide fixed quotes?
Yes, we will provide any quotes in writing once we have received a full brief, discussed requirements and agreed work expectations. Quotes will be valid for 30 days.
All quotes will include travel and accommodation costs if required.
For more details check our Terms & Conditions.
Do your Drones fly indoors?
Yes.
What happens if a project is postponed or cancelled due to the weather, or work no longer being required?
Drone work is naturally affected by flying conditions. If we are not able to shoot due to weather (Precipitation, Wind speed, Temperature etc.) clients will not incur any charges if we can make an alternative date for the work to be undertaken. Any booking fee / deposit (s) will be transferred to the new date.
If a shoot cannot be re-scheduled, we will discuss cancellation policy and potential fees with the Client and come to a fair and reasonable compromise.
If a job is cancelled due to other issues, and not re-scheduled due to the client no longer requiring our services, the booking fee / deposit will not be refunded unless by a pre-agreement.
For more details check our Terms & Conditions.
Is the Cloud AeroDrones name trademarked?
Yes. The Cloud Aerodrones name and logo are a registered National UK trademark with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO). Our trademark number is UK00004061532.
What is GVC?
The GVC is an industry-recognised mark of a pilot’s competence and safety in drone piloting. It is attained through CAA-approved training and assessment. To legally and safely fly drones up to 25 kg in built-up areas, obtaining a GVC qualification is essential for acquiring Operational Authorisation from the CAA.
Do Cloud Aerodrones belong to any professional drone organisations?
Yes, we are members of ARPAS-UK (The UK Drone Association).
Do you do Postproduction work?
Yes, in-house.
How high can you fly your drones?
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) stipulate an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flight ceiling of 400 feet (120 metres). This is to keep a safe separation zone from the airspace of manned aircraft, which must keep to a minimum in-flight altitude of 500 feet.
In special circumstances, applications can be made to the CAA to fly above the flight ceiling, even in built-up areas.
How can I pay?
Bank transfer or PayPal.
How close can you fly a drone to people or buildings?
Flights cannot be made overhead of members of the public without their prior knowledge and consent. Between the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and people, property or roads not under our control, a horizontal separation zone must be maintained of 30m while taking off and landing, and 50m during flight.
This separation zone does not apply to clients or staff on-site as they will have been briefed of the presence of the drone before flights take place, putting them under the control of the pilot.
If Cloud Aerodrones have notified and received consent from neighbouring residents or businesses, we can fly as close as is necessary.
Why Hiring a Cheap Drone Operator Could Cost You More in the Long Run
If you’re looking to hire a drone operator, it can be tempting to go for the cheapest option. When flying a drone cutting corners can lead to major problems including safety risks, legal issues, poor results and additional unexpected costs. Here is a definitive list why choosing the right operator (not just the cheapest) really matters and how Cloud Aerodrones make sure our services stand out for all the right reasons.
1. Safety Comes First
Flying a drone safely isn’t as simple as it looks. It takes skill, training and experience to avoid accidents. Our pilots are fully trained, GVC certified and have CAA PDRA01 Operational Authorisation and follow strict safety procedures every time they fly. Cheap operators often skip this, putting your project, and your reputation at risk.
2. We're Fully Insured – Are They?
Many low-cost operators aren’t insured which means you could be left responsible for any damage or injury. All our pilots have commercial insurance compliant with EU Regulation (EC) No 785/2004.
3. Every Flight Is Properly Planned
We don’t just turn up and fly. We carry out and document method statements, operational notes, surveys, airspace user checks, establish local emergency contacts, check weather forecasts, check NOTAMs, build site plans, conduct risk assessments and more.
Effective planning results in fewer delays and better results. Bargain operators may skip this step increasing the risk of problems or legal trouble.
4. We Follow the Law — Always
There are strict UK laws around drone flying especially for commercial work. We’re fully licensed and stay up to date with the latest regulations. Many cheap drone operators work without the right permissions or training, which could lead to fines or cancelled flights.
What’s the difference between Videography and Cinematography?
Their jobs are both to capture footage. Cinematography generally differs from videography as it typically involves more strategic planning, artistic direction and requires a large crew or production team.
What is GNSS?
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GPSS) allow drones to calculate positions. There are four GPSS systems – GPS (USA), GLONASS (Russia), Galileo (European) & BeiDou (China).
What are potential sources of Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) that could affect a drone?
Power lines (causing compass errors), Telephone masts (causing loss of GNSS) and High Intensity Radio Transmission Areas (causing loss of video). Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GPSS) allow drones to calculate positions.
What is a LiDAR equipped drone?
A LiDAR drone is equipped with LiDAR sensors. LiDAR technology uses laser light to accurately measure distances allowing the drone to create detailed 3D maps of the terrain below. These drones can be used in various environments, including industrial sites, underwater areas and more making them incredibly versatile tools for inspection and surveying tasks.
What is an Ortho mosaic image?
An Ortho mosaic image, also sometimes known as an orthoimage, orthophoto, or orthophotograph, is a high-resolution aerial image taken by a UAV. When stitched together with specialised software using a process called orthorectification, these images can be used to create a highly detailed, distortion-free map and enhance the visibility of details that may not be visible using more common photogrammetry techniques. Orthorectification removes perspective from each individual image to create consistency across the entire map while keeping the same level of detail from the original image.
What is DJI AirSense?
DJI AirSense is an alert system that uses ADS-B technology to give drone pilots enhanced situational awareness and help them make responsible decisions while flying. This feature gathers flight data sent automatically from nearby aircraft with ADS-B transmitters, analysing it to detect potential collision risks and alert users well in advance through the DJI mobile app.
What sort of batteries do Drones generally use?
Intelligent Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries containing standard Lithium Polymer cells & built in circuitry to manage charging, discharging, condition and temperature.
What is RTK?
Real-time kinematic positioning (RTK) is one method of correcting the GNSS signal inaccuracies of a drone. RTK corrections are essentially derived by calculating the positional discrepancy between a nearby base station and the drone, resulting in centimetre-level accuracy positioning.
What is PPK?
Post Processed Kinematic (PPK) is a GPS correction technology technique that corrects location data after it is collected and uploaded. The data can be uploaded to the cloud for processing or processed using specialised software on your desktop after the flight has been concluded.
What is a Cinewoop?
A Cinewhoop is a unique type of micro FPV drone featuring propeller guards (also known as ducts). They can carry action cameras, like GoPros, for capturing smooth aerial footage. Cinewhoop drones prioritise safety and stability allowing pilots to safely fly close to their subjects indoor and outdoor.
Cinewhoops come in 5 sizes: 16, 20, 25, 30 and 35. These numbers refer to the propeller sizes, with 16 being 1.6-inch, 20 being 2-inch, 25 being 2.5-inch, 30 being 3-inch and 35 being 3.5-inch.
What is an IP43 Ingress Protection Rating?
An IP43 rating indicates a drone is protected against solid objects greater than 1mm and against sprays of water up to 60 degrees from the vertical. It does not mean a drone is waterproof. An example drone with this rating is the DJI Matrice 200 V2 series.
What are DJI D-Log and D-Log M?
D-Log – D-Log allows the camera sensor to pull more dynamic information from a scene, getting the maximum dynamic range compared with other colour modes whilst allowing more flexibility in post-production as the photo is not processed. It will however require more time post-processing as LUTs (Look Up Tables) should be used to colour grade D-Log footage before post-processing. For more details, refer to DJI’s D-Log D-Gamut Whitepaper.
D-Log M – D-Log M allows the camera sensor to record enough dynamic range. As the photo has been processed, it leaves less room for grading in post-production compared with D-Log, but you can more easily colour grade during post-processing.