BOOKING A DRONE PILOT
HOW TO BOOK DRONE FILMING IN SOUTH WALES
Send the location first. We can work out the flight from there.
Booking commercial drone filming or aerial photography starts with a postcode, preferred date and a short description of what you need. We then check the site, confirm what is practical and plan the flight around the project.
WHAT TO SEND FIRST
Four details are enough to start
01 Shoot location and postcode
02 Preferred date or date options
03 Photography, video or both
04 What the aerial coverage needs to show
| BOOKING AND FLIGHT PLANNING | FROM POSTCODE TO FLIGHT PLAN |
A booking is easier when we know the site before the date is reserved
Send the exact location
A postcode or precise site location lets us check the surrounding airspace, nearby buildings, roads, people and possible operating positions before quoting or confirming the booking.
Tell us what the aerial view needs to achieve
Property, construction, inspection and production work all need different coverage. A short brief helps us judge the time, angles and equipment needed.
Give us date options when possible
Flexible dates make weather planning easier. If the job has to happen on one fixed date, tell us at the start so the booking can be planned accordingly.
We check feasibility before attendance
Most sites can be assessed online. Larger, more complicated or access-sensitive projects may need further discussion or a site visit before the filming day.
THE BOOKING PROCEDURE
Four steps from enquiry to filming day
The aim is to confirm the site, date and practical flight requirements before anyone turns up with an aircraft.
01 — Tell us about the project
Send the postcode, preferred date or dates and a short brief explaining whether you need photographs, video or both.
03 — Reserve the date
Once the scope is agreed, a booking deposit secures the filming slot in the calendar.
02 — Site and flight check
We review the location and practical operating conditions. A larger or more involved project may require additional site information or a visit.
04 — Weather review
The forecast is monitored from five days before the job. If conditions look unsuitable, the options are discussed around 48 hours ahead.
WEATHER FLEXIBILITY
What happens if the forecast is poor?
Drones cannot be flown safely in unsuitable rain or wind conditions, so the forecast forms part of the booking process rather than being left until arrival.
Flexible-date projects
If the shoot needs to move because of weather, the booking deposit moves with it to the rearranged date.
Fixed-date events and one-off access
If the date cannot move — for example a live event — and weather prevents flying, the booking deposit is non-refundable.
On the filming day
Where practical, the pilot remains on site to make use of a safe flying window if conditions are changing during the booked attendance.
BEFORE WE FLY
What is checked before the aircraft leaves the ground?
The location determines the flight plan. The useful operating position, people, access and intended shot all matter as much as the aircraft itself.
Airspace and local restrictions
The site is reviewed for airspace and other restrictions that may affect the proposed flight or require additional planning.
Take-off position and access
We consider where the pilot can operate, site access, parking or equipment movement and whether a suitable position is available for the required views.
People and site activity
Busy sites, public areas, moving vehicles and working operations can change the practical flight plan, timing or coordination needed on the day.
Weather and the required shot
The same weather can affect different shots in different ways. Wind, rain, light and visibility are considered against the actual coverage required.
GVC / A2 CofC qualified
Commercial work is planned around the site and operating conditions, with £1m public liability insurance as standard and higher cover available where required.
COMMERCIAL DRONE OPERATION
Planning is part of the booking
The booking is not simply a diary slot. The location, intended coverage and operating conditions are considered before attendance so the available flight time has a clear purpose.
For a price guide before sending the location, see drone filming and aerial photography pricing.
WHERE WE WORK
Regular drone coverage across South Wales and the border counties
Send the postcode even if the project is outside the locations below. Work extends across Wales and the UK where the brief and travel make sense.
Cardiff, Newport and the M4 corridor
Monmouthshire, Abergavenny and the borders
Property, land, construction, tourism and business filming around Abergavenny, Monmouth, Usk and the border counties. Abergavenny · Monmouthshire · Herefordshire.
Swansea, West Wales and coastal locations
Commercial, property, tourism and location work across Swansea and further west. Swansea · Aerial filming across Wales.
BOOKING FAQ
Questions to settle before the filming date
How far ahead should I book?
Send the location as soon as the project is likely to go ahead. Short-notice work can sometimes be accommodated, but additional planning or permissions may limit what is possible.
Do you need the postcode before quoting?
Ideally, yes. A precise location allows the proposed flight to be assessed properly rather than quoting on assumptions about the site.
Can I book photographs and video together?
Yes. Tell us the intended use so stills and moving footage can be planned around the same attendance where practical.
What if my date cannot move?
Tell us when enquiring. Fixed-date work is treated differently from a flexible shoot because poor weather may leave no opportunity to reschedule.
Will you visit the site before filming?
Most initial checks can be completed remotely. A larger project or a site with more complicated access or operating conditions may benefit from a separate visit.
What should I put in the initial brief?
Include the postcode, preferred date, whether you need photos or video, what needs to be visible and where the finished material will be used.
START WITH THE POSTCODE
Ready to check a location and reserve a filming date?
Send the site, preferred date and the aerial coverage you need. We can assess the project and confirm the next step.