It is possible to use remote control aircraft with cameras on board to take aerial photographs of subjects on the ground.
The law changed on the 1st January 2010 and now all remote control aircraft used for aerial photography are subject to Civil Aviation Authority Regulations (CAP722) and the operator should have a permit to operate remote control aircraft for commercial aerial photography purposes.
Failure to comply with the new rules is likely to result in prosecution, even the police are not immune.
Advantages
1. They can operate below the CAA height restrictions for full size aircraft (up to 400 feet)
2. Since they fly lower than conventional aircraft the pictures can include views as well as buildings
3. Can be deployed from almost any safe location providing a suitable take off and landing area is available
4. Not normally affected by haze like full size aircraft aerial photography is.
5. On some systems the image the camera is seeing can be viewed live at ground level, which allows the exact image to be composed prior to the photograph being taken. Ideal for clients who have already have a mental picture of the type of shot they want.
6. Eco friendly – especially the electric aircraft
Disadvantages
1. Can not be used in windy conditions.
2. A permit from the CAA is required by the operator to fly remote control aircraft:
- Over or within 150 meters of congested areas for the purpose taking aerial photographs.
- Within 50 metres of any person, vessel, vehicle or structure not under the control
of the aircraft operator. - During take-off or landing however, the aircraft must not be flown within 30 metres of any person, unless that person is under the control of the aircraft operator.
3. Area covered is limited to the operator maintaining eye contact with the aircraft (maximum distance 500m), unless a UAV is used.
4. With electric aircraft, the time in the air is limited by the life of the batteries. So several battery changes may be required during an assignment.
5. Non-eletric model aircraft suffer from vibration caused by the engine – if the plane does not have a suitable camera mount, the photos may be blurry.