Are all drones created equal…

Let’s just start by saying drones are fun – they are fun to own and they are fun to fly.

But do they have a practical use?

More and more, drones, or remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) are being utilised in myriad of industries for a variety of tasks.

Resource and agricultural business are using them for surveying, they are being used to spray fertiliser and other chemicals, emergency services are using them for surveillance and inspection of assets and photographers, well we use them to create unique and interesting images and videos.

The big question is, are all RPAs equal?

Of course not. Like most things, there is an RPA for just about every job, from small micro drones that let you fly in some restricted areas, to mid-sized drones preferred by photographers, to the massive craft used for intricate surveying, autonomous flights and heavy lifting.

So, just as a tradesman will have different tools for different jobs, so to do RPA pilots. And just like tradies, you wouldn’t hire a plumber to do your electrical work or a carpenter to tile the floor.

However, I often hear from clients, when I offer drone photography and videography, ‘that’s ok, our surveyor has a drone, he/she can do that’.

Now I have absolute confidence in the ability of their surveyor to do their job and do it well but, unless he/she has a side gig as a photographer/videographer, I’m not usually as confident in their photography skills.

It takes considerable skill to fly a drone efficiently and safely. It also takes some skill to be able to fly that drone and at the same time capture outstanding, well composed images and videos, not to mention the editing that goes on after the fact.

You engage a photographer because you know they have the skills to get the best possible shots for your project.

However, before you hire a photographer to do your aerial photography you need to check out a few things.

First, have you seen the sort of work they do? If you are satisfied with the quality of their work and are confident they understand your industry, are they qualified?

Yes they may be able to fly a drone, but do they have the required Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) accreditations and certificates that permit them to legally work as an RPA pilot?

Australia has some very strict rules and regulations on where and when RPAs can be flown and who can operate them under those conditions.

The big question you need to ask is do they have a CASA RPA Operator’s Certificate (ReOC) or are they operating under their company’s ReOC? If the answer is no then they are probably operating illegally and you may want to look elsewhere.

After all, you wouldn’t hire an unqualified electrician, plumber or even accountant.

So to recap… if you want aerial photography or videography done, pick a photographer whose work you have seen and like, check they have the appropriate credentials and ask them to give you a full assessment of the job, the risks involved and any approvals they may need to complete the task.