FAQs

Welcome to our FAQ section! Here, we've compiled a list of frequently asked questions to provide you with a better understanding of hiring a professional drone pilot for your aerial needs. Whether you're considering aerial photography, surveying, inspections, or any other project, we're here to address your inquiries.

Take a look at FAQs below to learn more:

What is a drone pilot?

A drone pilot is an individual trained to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones for various purposes, such as aerial photography, surveying, mapping, inspections, and more.
Why would I need to hire a drone pilot?

Hiring a drone pilot can provide you with skilled expertise to operate drones for specific tasks that require aerial data collection, photography, videography, or inspections. They have the necessary training and knowledge to operate drones safely and effectively.
What qualifications should a drone pilot have?

As a minimum the pilot must have a flyer ID and an operator ID issued by the CAA. The 2 main qualifications that a drone pilot could have are the A2 CofC and a GVC License. To obtain these qualifications, a pilot will have went through specific training that takes 3-5 days to complete as well as a theory test. If the pilot has a GVC then they will also have completed a practical flight assessment. This tests the pilots ability to plan and conduct a safe drone flight.
What types of projects can a drone pilot assist with?

Drone pilots can assist with a wide range of projects, including photography, construction site monitoring, agricultural surveys, environmental monitoring, infrastructure inspections, search and rescue operations, and more. HawkAye mainly focus on photo and video content creation.
What questions should I ask a potential drone pilot?

Is the drone pilot qualified? Will their qualification allow them to complete the project you have? Does the drone pilot have insurance? What experience does the pilot have? Can you view their showreel? Do they have the correct equipment for your project?
Do drone pilots need insurance?

If you fly a drone for commercial purposes you must have third party liability insurance. Insurance must be fully compliant with EC 785/2004. This applies to all drones under 20KG.
How much does it cost to hire a drone pilot?

The cost can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the project, location, duration of the flight and content requirements. Generally, prices start around £450.
What kind of equipment does HawkAye use?

We have 3 drones that we use which all have slightly different specs. The DJI Mini 3 Pro, DJI Mavic 3 and the DJI Avata(FPV Drone). All shoot at least 4K video and can capture high resolution images. We will work with the client to select the most suitable drone for their project.