12 Tips For Using UAVS

Broadcast  - Drones Directory 2015

http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/features/12-tips-for-using-drones/5097064.article?blocktitle=Production-Feature&contentID=1169

Vet suppliers: Common sense, maybe, but with around 1000 CAA-licensed UAV services in a fledging industry which do you trust to undertake your project? Showreels should be a guide only, word of mouth often a better bet. One differentiator is to ask for certification to fly 20kg payloads. This should mean the outfit will have wider experience with dual pilot and gimbal control.

Two better than one: You can get great results with a single person flying the system, but the more dynamic moves happen with a dedicated gimbal operator moving the camera in accordance to a DP's instruction.

Pick the team, not the hardware: Sure, rigs and cameras are important but not as important as the crew you'll be working with. Competent UAV teams will understand professional broadcast, meaning an appreciation of the workflow, the language of pans and tracking shots, and the format you need to walk away with.

Understand the law: Each country has a different approach, and regulations are playing catch-up with the explosive trend. Key UK parameters include staying more than 500 meters away from people and buildings and to a maximum altitude of 400 ft.

Look for CAOSC: Staying under the 7kg limit was mandatory for all UAVs in heavily populated areas often to the detriment of onboard acquisition quality. Operators can now obtain a year-long CAA regulated Congested Areas Operating Safety Case to fly rigs up to 20kg anywhere, increasing your options and speeding up planning for jobs.

Speed: How fast do you want to fly/track? Drones are good for about 35 mph. Any faster and you will probably need a conventional helicopter.

Camera package: Check that the camera package proposed suits your purpose and does not require great amounts of post stabilisation. Note that most drones cannot fly a larger cinema sensor camera and zoom lens.

Plan ahead: Shooting views of a presenter walking up a hill is straightforward but only if your UAV operator has worked the logistics of access and securing permissions. While staying below the magic 7kg can speed the process, note that some air traffic permissions can take up to 10 days to secure.

Force 10: Weather can play havoc with any location shoot but excessive wind will ground flights, so have a contingency plan.

Storyboard it: A drama director may have a specific aerial vision in mind. Bring the UAV team in at pre-production to fully understand the requirements which will have a baring on hardware choices, safety concerns for stunts and complex camera moves.

Do you need one? When a jib, balloon, helicopter, kite or Russian Arm is best? The latter is a remotely operated vehicle-mounted gyro-stabilized crane. If you need to track a car at 70 mph and keep the camera consistently within 6ft of the bonnet, you'll want this.

Think space: The bigger the open space, the more you will get out of the drone. Large controlled areas mean you can place the camera wherever you want. Drones unlock aerial shots in confined spaces like caves, tunnels, hangars. Beware the noise of the rotors though.

Don’t fly uninsured: If you engage an operator to fly something with mass and moving parts, you should think about what happens if there's an accident. An insurer will require CAA permission to fly.

For your budget: Rates vary between £800 to £2000 per day with the more experienced pilots commanding a better rate. The average fee is around £1000 and usually includes pre-planning, site recces and permissions as well as the camera and rig.