Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) – UAS 8344
Drone flight planning and commercial operations
Drone Imagery Ltd have the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) “Permission for Commercial Operations” PfCO which means as a licensed commercial operator of UAV’s (unmanned aerial vehicles), we are governed and regulated by the CAA.
The PfCO is mandatory for anyone flying drones for commercial use in the UK along with drone public liability insurance. It is the basis of the drone photography laws in the U.K.
Drone Imagery Ltd are fully insured against injury and damage with £5 million public liability to fly at altitudes of up to 400 feet.
This page originally described Drone Imagery’s Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO). That was the terminology used under an earlier UK framework; it should not be read as a statement of today’s requirements.
Safety for aerial drone flights is our number one priority. All of our pilots have passed the CAA-approved exams, flight assessments, and hold the established industry Remote Pilot Qualification (RPQ-s) for multi-rotor aircraft under 7kg.
The CAA approval regulations are very detailed but we are able to help you through the process of making an aerial shoot both legal and safe.
We do a detailed on-line preflight survey with location check that includes airspace restrictions, nearby airports and no fly zones to see if there are any flight restrictions we need to be aware of.
Each aerial photography job is risk assessed on an individual basis in accordance with our CAA approved operations manual. We include cordons, clearly marked landing area, and ground safety personnel. All aircraft are fitted with “return to home” safety features.
An operations plan for each job is written and checked before any flights are undertaken.
On the day the pilot has final say when determining if flying conditions and the location can be “deemed safe to proceed”.
Check the requirements for the proposed flight
The CAA withdrew PfCO when the UK changed its drone regulations at the end of 2020. Current requirements depend on the operation. See the CAA guidance on flying drones for work for the current framework.
Planning a photography or inspection visit
We discuss the address, access, surrounding activity and intended imagery before confirming a project. Ask us for the current insurance and operational documentation relevant to your brief.
Conditions on the day
Weather, the site and any required permissions affect whether a flight can proceed. The pilot assesses conditions and the planned work before take-off.
Discuss your project
Send the site address, preferred dates and the images or data you need through our project enquiry form. We will confirm the scope, availability, deliverables and price before you book.