The CAA says we can now fly closer and higher!
This non-standard permission has so far been granted to only a small number of professional drone companies; commercial pilots have to prove to the CAA that they have exceptional skills and experience to fly safely in difficult environments.
This means there are more spaces, more places and more events where we can fly. Our new permission gives us and our clients more freedom to get video and photographs in built up and populated areas.
LUNAR can now launch their drones from a shorter distance from people, vehicles and buildings that aren't under their control - now 10 metres at take off (down from 30 metres) and 15 metres once in the air (down from 50 metres). Ideal for filming in city centres and built up areas.
And we can fly higher - up to 600 feet vs the standard of 400 feet.
More possibilities for drone footage at events and festivals: the standard rule means being 150 metres away from a gathering of over 1000 people. For Lunar this is now down to 75 metres. Without this new permission it was sometimes challenging to successfully capture an event using a drone, especially in regards to any close ups of the action.
To become a certified commercial drone operator the pilot is required to undertake theory and practical exams and to write and submit an operations manual to the CAA who will then grant or otherwise the PfCO. The operations manual needs to be updated and resubmitted to the CAA each year. Furthermore the pilot needs to carry public liability insurance.
The Operation Safety Case (OSC) required two additional volumes to our operations manual illustrating further procedures required to operate safely in the reduced distances. This might include the use of additional crew members and the use of the drone’s geo fencing features which create virtual safety barriers.
