Aerial Drone Operator

Aerial Drone Operator, Skylark Aerial Photography is a commercial drone service based in the English Lake District.

https://www.skylark-aerialphotography.co.uk

There has been much in the news recently about people getting into trouble for flying drones in airspace they shouldn’t be in. However, systems are in place for professionals to get permissions, under licence, to take to the skies safely and Simon Handley is one of the elite.

From his base near Kendal, Lake District, Simon is an expert when it comes to taking stunning videos and photos over the Lake District using the latest drone technology. Earlier this year, he turned his passion for flying Small Unmanned Aircraft (drones), into a full-time business, Skylark Aerial Photography.

“I left a well-paid job in engineering, which took me all over the world, so I decided to combine my love of flying and photography and started researching building my own drones,” he said.

As a fixed wing pilot, Simon understands more than anyone, the safety issues of operating a Small Unmanned Aircraft in the sky. He has been building and piloting drones for over 12 years and has developed a winning formula for getting remarkably steady, clear footage from a bird’s-eye perspective.

“Safety is paramount and before any filming I will do a detailed risk assessment survey of the area and talk to the client about what they want me to achieve,” Simon explained. “I have Permission for Aerial Work (PFAW) approval from the Civil Aviation Authority and I hold an aircraft radio operators licence, which allows communication with Air Traffic Control whilst flying the drones near or at airports.”

Simon has been a fixed wing pilot for the last 22 years, currently flying out of Carlisle airport. He is used to viewing the magnificent Lake District scenery from above, so it seemed the obvious innovative career development to put his piloting skills to use with a remote controlled drone, equipped with the latest technology.

Simon uses the latest drone technology, DJI Inspire 1 and DJI Inspire Pro with multiple lenses, providing outstanding image capture in 4K. “The cameras have exceptional high definition and are the same as used by some BBC crews for moving film footage,” said Simon. “And I can programme a drone to fly alongside a fast moving car, rise up above it, fly round it and catch it up again.”

While safety is paramount, Simon has a great sense of humour and he takes time to put his clients at ease about exactly what is involved during a day’s shoot.

“To date, commissions have included creating aerial films and stills of the Lake District and attractions like Brougham Castle, Lakeside and Haverthwaite Railway and Windermere Lake Cruises, BBC4 Inland Waterways, Beatrix Potter 150-year celebration shown three times on BBC 1 Breakfast TV, EHR Productions, English Tourism, YourFilm, Laura Ashley Hotels, The Black Horses Ltd, to name but a few.”

For a particular shoot it can take a long time to create a few seconds of film of a steam train chugging along the tracks. “For the railway shoot I had to be in place and ready for the first train coming, then wait an hour for the next timetabled train to come by to get a different angle,” Simon explained. “In total, it took me four hours waiting around to get the shots I wanted for a 30 second film!”

Simon, who enjoys a challenge and experimenting with the equipment, can programme the drone to almost fly itself. “This works well for shots where I know there will be a series of predictable sequences,” he said. “But for The Black Horses it was a lot more strain on my brain as I had to get the drone in the sky and follow where the animals wanted to go, which ended up being all over the place.”

The horses were not frightened, just curious of the buzzing sound above them and some came quite close to have a look at the airborne drone. However as flight animals, they were soon galloping off across the field as Simon piloted the drone to follow them.

“The horse shoot took the best part of a day and, although I could play back footage on the iPad screen (on the control unit), it won’t be until I start editing the shots back in my studio that I will know if I have captured those gold moments.”

Skylark Aerial Photography, has literally taken off to a flying start and Simon is getting more and more requests for aerial photographs and videos from Cumbrian tourist attractions and businesses. He is also travelling further afield to film in Lancashire, Yorkshire, Newcastle and the Scottish Borders.

“I can provide aerial pictures, video and imaging for all types of events and occasions, business or leisure,” said Simon. “And Estate Agents have been using me to do aerial inspections and surveys for selling houses, business premises and land.”

Simon has also provided aerial photography and video for Eden Valley District Council Tourism, Carlisle Airport, Bendrigg Trust, Davis & Bowring Estate Agents, Lakeland Trails and the North of England Civic Trust, Great North Swim.

“During the summer in the Lake District I’m usually carrying out three different shoots a week and most short notice; that’s the beauty of Skylark. Its ability to provide drones, organise permissions and have a operating brief ready within hours. As Skylark is based in the Lakes I know the area and can help advise on locations, cutting costs and time.

“I have also been doing workshops in schools and it’s great fun showing children how we go about getting a ‘bird’s eye view’ of the world,” said Simon.

Skylark Aerial Photography has rapidly gained a large following on Facebook.