There are some basic principles that apply to ANY drone pilot whether recreational or commercial. These are laid down by the CAA in their Drone Safe Guide. These principles also form the basis of any commercial drone pilot’s ‘licence’ (see point 1).
OK, so starting off… there are more than 10 here, but there are 10 really KEY principles (highlighted in bold / underlined below) that you need to bear in mind if you are thinking about commissioning drone-based aerial photography or filming. These principles relate to your drone provider specifically, but you need to be aware of them when you are thinking of a) choosing a provider & b) commissioning such work, & they are:
- To fly commercially (anything that involves ‘valuable consideration’—not just a fee but anything adding value such as photos used in marketing or social platforms), your pilot needs a Permission for Commercial Work (PfCW) which outlines what they are allowed to do, including possible exceptions (e.g., night flying).
- They need insurance for the type of work. Even recreational pilots should have insurance. When commissioning work, ask for the provider’s licence and insurance. Flying outside the PfCW terms voids insurance.
- You need express written permission from the landowner to take off/land. Public venues may require permissions from multiple parties.
- The drone must always be in sight to maintain control and avoid hazards. Pilots must follow their drone’s manufacturer instructions, especially emergency procedures like “Return to Home”.
- Stay below 400 feet / 120 metres to avoid manned aircraft.
- Maintain at least 50 metres / 150 feet from people and property not under the pilot’s control. Consider privacy and data protection.
- Recreational flying in gardens is limited unless you have full space and express permission from neighbours. Maintain distance from roads, paths, and avoid overhead flight of public areas.
- The pilot is always responsible for the drone. CAA handles aviation safety; police handle other infractions like trespassing or data protection violations.
- Stay away from aircraft, airports & airfields (minimum 1 km).
- No flying at night unless granted permission in the PfCW.
- Do not fly in Central London No Fly Zones (e.g., Hyde Park, City of London, Isle of Dogs). See noflydrones.co.uk and dronesafe.uk/safety-apps.
- Do not fly over crowds, events, or gatherings of 1000+ people.
Having one or more of these issues doesn’t automatically mean we can’t fly, but special provisions may be needed—Flight Plan, Method Statement, or Risk Assessment—or a specialist pilot. Talk to us; we can advise you.
Some licensed pilots may have permissions to fly at night or outside standard restrictions. These should be clearly noted in their PfCW and backed with valid insurance.
Additionally, Safety Cases and Non-Standard or Enhanced Safety Cases can be applied for through the CAA. These are project-specific, not guaranteed, time-consuming, and may be costly.
Using a drone commercially isn’t just about flying—it requires due diligence, choosing the right provider, and planning. But when done right, aerial photography and filming can add dramatic and impactful perspectives to your project!
See our guide on commissioning a drone-based aerial inspection or survey