I am interested in starting a network in the UK for drone pilots to be service to farming. I am a county coordinator for FACE (Farming and Countryside Education). We bring farms and schools together for landscape education. Using a drone adds enormous value to the resources we produce for schools with the aerial photography and video of crops, livestock and machinery. Farmers have also benefited by seeing their crops from the air, watching livestock movement, even wildlife. They have been able to estimate yield levels and see the various soils, drainage and weed growth and so be able to manage fertilizer and spray regimes; all at very low cost to them.
There are many commercial businesses offering drone observation; some with spectrum cameras and other expensive equipment. These are no-doubt very useful but come at a cost. Often, farmers just want to see normal sky views and this is where the idea for a Farming Skyview comes in; where you come in.
I bought my Phantom 2 and the Gopro Black Hero 3 and discovered a whole new world of photographic possibilities and have really enjoyed flying the 'copter. I live in the country in Dorset, I do not want to film houses and invade privacy etc. and since we have beautiful landscapes, I have been flying and filming over farms. Well that is fun but I have realized that I can still have fun and also provide a service to farmers. I now fly with added value because my hobby is useful.
I have looked into the commercial side and have decided that this is not for me as I do not want to buy a commercial license and start a business as such so what I now do is ask a farmer to cover my travel to his farm at a given rate and while I am there, I film for free.
The trouble is that I have had requests to go to farms that are really too far away so I thought that if other drone pilots joined a network which I am happy to coordinate, then pilots local to a particular farm could be contacted through the network and thereby have a reason to fly and film.
I will set up a website for this and offer pilots the opportunity to post their farming skyview films as a useful resource for other pilots and farmers.
If you would like to be a part of the Farming Skyview Network and you think you would enjoy going to farms and flying your drones for good reason, then get in touch and I will add you to the list. I have not thought of rules and regulations as this is purely amateur although there should be a code of agreed conduct that we sign up to as I would not like to cause any offense. We would also have to consider a safety code thinking of overhead cables etc. and weather.
To be added to the database, just send me your contact details whatever they may be and also give information about your drone and the camera etc. The beauty of a forum of course is that we can pool ideas and may even be able to influence prices when it comes to purchasing upgrades and new equipment. First things first though; say what you think and we will go from there. I have been thinking of just England to begin with but this will no-doubt go where the wind takes it. You should not have to worry about farm contacts as these will be found through the NFU so essentially this will be a drone-dating agency; a farmer contacts Farming Skyview asking for pictures and we put them in touch with the local pilot.
Best wishes
Adrian
There are many commercial businesses offering drone observation; some with spectrum cameras and other expensive equipment. These are no-doubt very useful but come at a cost. Often, farmers just want to see normal sky views and this is where the idea for a Farming Skyview comes in; where you come in.
I bought my Phantom 2 and the Gopro Black Hero 3 and discovered a whole new world of photographic possibilities and have really enjoyed flying the 'copter. I live in the country in Dorset, I do not want to film houses and invade privacy etc. and since we have beautiful landscapes, I have been flying and filming over farms. Well that is fun but I have realized that I can still have fun and also provide a service to farmers. I now fly with added value because my hobby is useful.
I have looked into the commercial side and have decided that this is not for me as I do not want to buy a commercial license and start a business as such so what I now do is ask a farmer to cover my travel to his farm at a given rate and while I am there, I film for free.
The trouble is that I have had requests to go to farms that are really too far away so I thought that if other drone pilots joined a network which I am happy to coordinate, then pilots local to a particular farm could be contacted through the network and thereby have a reason to fly and film.
I will set up a website for this and offer pilots the opportunity to post their farming skyview films as a useful resource for other pilots and farmers.
If you would like to be a part of the Farming Skyview Network and you think you would enjoy going to farms and flying your drones for good reason, then get in touch and I will add you to the list. I have not thought of rules and regulations as this is purely amateur although there should be a code of agreed conduct that we sign up to as I would not like to cause any offense. We would also have to consider a safety code thinking of overhead cables etc. and weather.
To be added to the database, just send me your contact details whatever they may be and also give information about your drone and the camera etc. The beauty of a forum of course is that we can pool ideas and may even be able to influence prices when it comes to purchasing upgrades and new equipment. First things first though; say what you think and we will go from there. I have been thinking of just England to begin with but this will no-doubt go where the wind takes it. You should not have to worry about farm contacts as these will be found through the NFU so essentially this will be a drone-dating agency; a farmer contacts Farming Skyview asking for pictures and we put them in touch with the local pilot.
Best wishes
Adrian