Flight Level Drones

Flight Level Drones has a CAA Operational Authorisation 20211015  UAS7904.

This means that as a licensed commercial operator of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV’s) we are governed and regulated by the CAA. We are happy to show you our approvals.

We are insured with £1M full public liability insurance.

We do not fly in high winds and rain. We can fly in winds gusting up to 22mph. Our advanced camera gimbal system gives very smooth shots in winds of up to about 15 mph.

Our drones are capable of flying in light rain but rainwater on the camera lenses can spoil any shots.

Our drones will fly in temperatures from -10°c to 40°c.  In very cold weather we make sure the battery packs are warmed and kept warm before flying.  The maximum drone flight times on one battery of 24 minutes can be reduced by up to 50% in very cold temperatures.

We monitor the weather forecast 5 days in advance of any shoot. If the signs are not good we talk to the client 48 hours prior to the shoot.

If we both decide to stay with the day and we have bad weather, our pilots will wait on site as long as possible in the hope of a break in the weather.

If we have to re-schedule a date because of weather the booking deposit is transferred to the new date.

Weather is known business risk in the UK so we are as flexible as possible to ensure that bookings can be rearranged.

We can train up to 2 people at a time using our own drones and providing maximum transfer of flying skills to students.

The maximum flight time on a single battery in normal conditions is up to 30 minutes. On average we fly up to 22 minutes before landing and changing the battery. We carry spare pre-charged batteries for each flying seassion. It only takes a few minutes to change the battery and get back in air. So we are able to fly all day with very little disruption.

Anyone responsible for a drone or unmanned aircraft (including model aircraft) weighing between 250g and 20kg needs to register as an operator.  The cost for this is £9 renewable annually.  More information and registration is via the CAA website.  Anyone flying a drone over 250g will need to pass an online test and register to obtain a Flyer ID.  We can only train people who have a Flyer ID issued by the UK CAA.

Drones weighing less than 250g do not need to be registered. However if they have a camera fitted then the drone will need to be registered and a Flyer ID obtained.

You are welcome to bring your own drone to any of our training sessions.

We provide 0ne-hour, two- hour and half-day sessions.  More information about our flying programmes can be found here.

You will find our quick guide to the tyical aerial photo/videography services we offer here.

Our prices may vary depending on the complexity, associated risks and location of the drone aerial photography.  Some indicative prices for typical photo or videography drone work are here.

Please call or email us to discuss your plans and requirements.

We can fly indoors but we need space. We have flown in warehouses, studios and for safety we can install propeller guards for indoor flights.

Our drones are battery powered with electric motors so there is no worry about polluting the environment. The dynamics of flying indoors are different. The construction and materials in the building can affect how the drone flies.

95% of the time there are no issues with flying indoors but safety is our number one priority. Only a short flight test can give us the final answer.

Yes – We stream the aerial drone footage in real time to the pilot’s remote controller which allows the client on the ground to see what the aerial camera is capturing.

This lets us to adjust the camera pan, tilt, framing and drone flight path as we fly to get the best shots.

Yes we do.  However unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flying rules and regulations vary from country to country.  Please contact us to discuss you requirements. 

Our CAA approval clearly defines where and how we can fly.

The main operational conditions that we have to adhere to are:
• Maintaining a distance of 50m from people and property not under control of the pilot.
• During take off and landing maintain a distance of 30m from people and property not under control of the pilot.
• Permission of the landowner to take off and land.
• Directly overhead or within a minimum distance of 150m from an open air assembly of over 1000 people.
• Maximum height of 400ft above ground level.
• Maintain visual line of sight of the drone to a maximum distance of 500m.
• During daylight hours, so that you can clearly see the SUA and take avoiding action from other air users if required.
• Outside of controlled airspace.
• Restrictions apply to certain areas of Central London and additional permissions to fly in these areas need to be sought from the CAA.
• Restrictions and rules apply to flying near an airport and aerodrome.

We can fly close to buildings and people when we have consent of the owner and the people in close proximity have been briefed and are under the control of the pilot.

This allows us to do close survey work of building, roofs, building sites, hotels, boats, golf courses etc.

They get different aerial footage and results.  Drones can fly closer to the subject, they are quieter, can be deployed quicker as weather and filming dictates, and they are a fraction of the cost of hiring a helicopter and pilot.

We are happy to offer a short demonstration flight in conjunction with a site visit.