Training & Regulations
Published on 10 Oct 2024
Jamie Collier
Start a Drone Business with Heliguy
Join the multi-billion-pound UK drone industry using Heliguy's step-by-step guide.
If you’re thinking about starting a drone business, there’s no better time to enter the market.
The UK drone industry is thriving, and with the right knowledge and tools, you can build a successful venture tailored to your sector.
Use our advice to take full advantage of the diverse applications of drones across areas such as inspections, filming, surveying, farming, public safety, and beyond.
Follow these steps to establish your own drone business
Understand the growing market
In March 2024, the UK Government, in collaboration with The Future of Flight Industry Group, launched the UK Future of Flight Action Plan.
This strategic initiative aims to position the UK as a global leader in the drone industry by 2030. With plans to invest in drone businesses to achieve this goal, PwC estimates that these advancements could generate annual economic benefits of up to £2 billion by 2040.
Now is the time to get involved and be part of this rapidly expanding industry.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is putting into motion plans to modernise UK airspace by allowing BVLOS drone missions to be an everyday practice across the industry.
The CAA are currently working with top industry players to collect crucial safety data on drone detection, avoidance, and communication with other aircraft and air traffic control. These projects include:
Amazon Prime Air: Drone deliveries.
Airspection: Offshore wind farm inspections.
NPAS: Policing with uncrewed aircraft.
NATS: BVLOS inspections over the North Sea.
Project SATE: Flights to Orkney.
Project Lifeline: Medical deliveries.
Additionally, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has introduced a new permit that enables farmers to apply for permission to conduct targeted pesticide spraying using spraying drones.
In June 2024, the first permit was issued for spreading slug pellets with drones, marking a significant step toward integrating drones as everyday tools for this industry.
To ensure safe drone spraying practices, the HSE is collaborating with drone operators in the agriculture sector to develop a comprehensive understanding of the associated risks.
Utilise your knowledge of UK drone laws
Understanding drone laws and staying informed about any changes is essential to avoid breaking regulations, preventing fines, upholding good practices, and maintaining a trustworthy reputation.
While this may seem intimidating, it’s pretty straightforward: with the proper support and information, understanding drone laws mainly (but not limited to) involves knowing the flying categories, determining where your drone fits within this framework, and ensuring compliance.
One of the key advantages of starting a drone business in the UK is the supportive regulatory environment. For example, you can commercially fly the DJI Mini 4 without extensive drone training, making it easier for newcomers to enter the industry and start offering services immediately.
For more information on this topic, read our easy-to-follow Drone Laws blog to learn more about UK drone laws and regulations.
Take advantage of new technology to streamline your operations
Streamline data capture and save time with mini drones’ advanced automated flight features.
Mission planning is easier than ever; with improved camera quality, obstacle sensing, and intuitive flight capabilities, you can schedule stops and choose from a vast range of shooting modes.
Such versatility allows you to capture content, inspect buildings, or monitor events with ease – the possibilities are endless. For example, rather than using a cherry picker for inspections, a drone can quickly fly up to gather data and maintain an accurate log to help track wear and tear over the years.
This approach is not only more efficient but also more sustainable. Additionally, drones can shoot high-quality cinematography and capture perfect shots without bulky equipment.
Keep your start-up costs Low
Grow your fleet either through purchase or rental with heliguy™
Starting a drone business typically requires a smaller investment than many traditional ventures, with high-quality 4K camera drones, such as the DJI Mini 4, available for under £1000, enabling you to provide professional-grade services without a hefty initial investment.
Or use heliguy™'s rental service, significantly lowering the initial capital required to get started; this flexibility allows you to explore various markets and services without substantial financial risk.
Find the sector which suits you best
With so many sectors to explore, you can tailor your drone business to your interests and expertise.
One of the advantages of the drone industry is that there are multiple applications a wide range of sectors, including:
Photography & videography:
One of the largest shares of the commercial drone industry, capture stunning aerial shots for cinematography, filming events, shooting content, real estate, and marketing campaigns.
Best drones:
Surveying & mapping:
Drones offer precise land surveys and topographic mapping to create 2D maps, 3D models, and perform volume calculations. This technology supports industries such as construction, forestry, mining, urban planning, and public safety.
Most suitable drones:
Building inspections:
Drones have become a great tool for building & infrastructure inspections, collecting highly-accurate data without needing to have people working at height - saving time and money in the process.
Ideal drones:
Commercial inspections:
Utilise drones and their sophisticated sensors to provide inspections of bridges, telecommunication towers, wind turbines, powerlines, pipelines, and even solar panels. Enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of your inspections whilst reducing manual labour and risk to workers.
Recommended drones:
Agriculture:
Drones have become an essential tool in agriculture, assisting with tasks like crop inspection, livestock management, and seed spreading. By providing advanced aerial data collection, drones help farmers efficiently monitor crops and manage livestock.
Best drones:
Public safety:
Drones are widely used in the Emergency Services sector, where they play a crucial role in saving lives. By assisting responders in search and rescue missions, drones help increase speed and accuracy, making operations more efficient and effective.
Most suitable drones:
Access heliguy™ end-to-end support
Not just a sale, we offer advice, hardware, and training when you need it.
Starting and running a drone business isn't just about buying your drone. It's a multi-layered operation which can involve training, on-going support, repairs, and a trusted supplier.
This is where Heliguy comes in, our value goes beyond a one-off quick sale. Our deeply-integrated ecosystem of services ensures we can support your drone business at every step, from start-up to scale.
Heliguy support table
Drone Supply & Logistics | Extensive inventory for immediate supply and scaling, along with a convenient drone rental service and flexible finance options. Global network of industry partners, ensuring reliable service level agreements and next-day delivery for urgent needs. IATA certified for the global air shipment of high-power batteries, facilitating efficient logistics. |
Consultancy and Lifetime Support | Free consultancy, our experienced team provides built-in consultancy to help you create the perfect drone package, sharing case studies and best practices tailored to your needs. Accessible support, receive over-the-phone assistance whenever you need it, even in the field, ensuring you always have the help you need. Ongoing lifetime support, we offer ongoing lifetime support beyond the initial transaction, our clients include major organisations like Balfour Beatty, and the BBC. |
Drone Training | Comprehensive CAA-approved training, we offer A2 CofC and GVC courses through a mix of online and in-person sessions, including closed and specific training in surveying, mapping, thermography, and photography. Industry-leading training which has benefited over 5,000 candidates, including pilots from organisations like Network Rail, National Grid, London Fire Brigade, and Phillips 66. Additional services, we also offer manual creation and renewal, along with OSC consultancy for operations that extend beyond Standard Permissions. |
Repair Services | In-house DJI-approved Repair Centre for quick crash support and efficient repair management to get your drone back in the air fast. Instant replacement & fault diagnosise, we offer immediate replacements for dead-on-arrival products, along with over-the-phone fault diagnosis from our technicians and free returns for faulty items. Warranty & support services, access our extensive UK repair infrastructure, firmware upgrade support, data analysis, and premium customer service for manufacturer resolutions. |
"I would like to thank everyone at heliguy™ for their support over the years. heliguy™ understands what most companies have failed to – that it’s not just about selling stuff, but a genuinely human and caring approach to every aspect of aftersales, service and support." Chris Boyes - 5kdigitalfilm.
Use the heliguy™ four-step action plan
Get your drone business off the ground with our four-step action plan to designed to help you build a solid foundation and scale gradually over time.
As your operations expand, you'll need to ensure your plan evolves accordingly. For more advanced use cases, consider options like larger drones, specialised training courses, and processing software to meet your growing needs.
Step 1: Start your business using a sub-250g drone such as the DJI Mini 4 Pro.
Start generating revenue immediately with no training required.
Enjoy the freedom to fly close to and over people.
Test the market and reduce upfront costs by utilising heliguy™ rentals.
Register with the CAA and obtain public liability insurance.
Step 2: Market your business and generate your first sale.
Leverage word-of-mouth referrals and social media communities to build leads.
Engage with local businesses to discuss your services.
Showcase examples of your drone footage to establish trust with potential clients.
Create a website, optimise for SEO keywords, and start driving traffic to it.
Step 3: Expand your drone programme.
Use your revenue to upgrade your drone or expand your fleet.
Opportunities include mapping/surveying, thermography, or industrial inspection.
Invest in software to maximise data collection and conduct in-depth analysis.
Step 4: Drone Training, the heliguy™ drone training ecosystem, enables you to grow your drone business.
Undertake A2 CofC or GVC drone training courses online.
Closed-course, industry-specific training.
OSC consultancy for more bespoke missions.
Use our drone licence calculator to see which training is best for you.
"I wanted a drone provider that I could stick with throughout the lifecycle of my business and provide all the services I would need - and heliguy™ is exactly that supplier: The training was professional, they helped me pick the right kit, and guided me through set-up once the kit arrived." Quinton Quayle - Quayle Industries.
Top three factors to keep in mind
Start Small & Prepare to Scale Up: When starting your drone business, begin small and scale up gradually. Focus on mastering one use case before expanding. Having a plan in place early on will help you hit the ground running as you grow your equipment and team.
Test, Train, And Learn: "Practice makes perfect" holds true for starting a drone business. Test, train, and learn your equipment, both hardware and software, to become efficient in your field. You may need an A2 or GVC certification, so use our training calculator to determine the right course. The more skilled you are, the easier it is to scale your business.
Drone Insurance: This is essential for commercial operations, protecting both your business and equipment. Costs vary based on coverage, drone type, and contract length, with pay-as-you-fly options available. We've partnered with Coverdrone for competitive rates - get a quote today.
Summary
The drone industry offers immense potential for growth and innovation. With heliguy™'s support and the right strategies, you can launch a successful drone business that thrives in this dynamic market.
Contact us today to start your drone journey and be part of the exciting future of aerial technology.
