Operations
- Lidar Mapping
- Thermal imaging
- Tree Planting
- Surveying
- Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR)
Drone operations
Our pilots are some of the most experienced in the world. We have extensive experience of operations in complex commercial environments, military test sites, film and TV sets – if you have an operational requirement we can help.
Operational Support
Whether you are using one of our aircraft or not, our highly experienced pilots can help. We have experience of everything from tiny FPV drones to 400 Kg payload military transport aircraft, used in a wide range circumstances and conditions, including BVLOS. When time is important, we can help you go from testing an experimental payload on the bench to getting meaningful data and results in the air in the shortest possible time by cutting out the learning curve and the risks of operating the aircraft yourself.
Training
We can offer help, advice and training for all operators, from complete novices to those who already have a good level of operational experience. Whether you are moving towards your own pilot certification, or just need help getting started with aircraft and systems you have not used before, we are here to help.
Some examples of our operations…
Lifting a total of 5900Kg of payload 130m to the top of 90 wind turbines in the North Sea as part of Skylift UAV’s project for Østed Laboratories. We provided pilot support and bad banter!
Shore to ship BVLOS delivery testing with the Malloy T400 – supporting Malloy and the Royal Navy with pilots.
Flying the TALON DT 300 for Rotron Aerospace and Exercise REPMUS 24.
Is this the scariest prototype aircraft we have ever flown? We think so! Helping Skybike operationally with pilot provision.
Unexploded ordinance detection – Dartmoor
Laser gas sensing – Chilbolton
Live coverage at the Rio Olympics 2016
Extreme Environment testing – Malloy T150
Navigation testing using the 5G cell network
On set at the filming of VIGIL II for the BBC
Project Theseus – last mile supply for the UK military
Testing the VELOS single rotor drone
Commercial Drones
Improve drone efficiency across logistics, agriculture, construction and more.
Experimental + Education
Custom solutions for development & education
Military Drones
Custom built advanced drones with capabilities for defence & security.
TV Prop Drones
On-screen 'prop' drones for TV & film
What industries can benefit from custom-built drones?
All and any industry that need drones can benefit. Anyone looking to push the limits of the technology, or requiring specific functionality that is difficult to achieve with ‘off the shelf’ aircraft can benefit from a custom solution. Our job is to ensure the aircraft will best meet the specific criteria of what you need to achieve, and we always take time to explain any limitations you may face, or any compromises that may need to be made, given the current state of drone technology. It is very important to us that anyone considering new or unusual projects enter them with their eyes wide open, ready for any issues they may face, and we are here to help every step of the way.
Are custom drones more expensive than off-the-shelf?
Not necessarily! As all our aircraft are specified for each application and then built to order, additional cost is often limited only to the cost of any specific additional equipment that needs to be included in the system. Inevitably, higher levels of customisation can incur higher costs, but this is not necessarily nearly as expensive as you might expect. We are happy to give cost estimates once we understand the requirements, and always supply detailed quotes once the details are agreed.
What types of sensors and payloads can be integrated?
There are a wide range of sensors and communications that can improve the functionality of your aircraft, and we will suggest the best options once we start to understand your project.
For payloads, given certain weight and size limits, we can normally carry just about anything! We have integrated almost all commercially available payload sensor packages, including Lidar, GPR, magnetometers, camera systems, lights, gas sensors, ranging equipment, water sampling, and more. We have also worked with customers to lift all sorts of experimental payloads, even sometimes flying equipment that was never designed to be used in the air. We can supply power from the aircraft, independent communications, shielding from magnetic and RF interference, extreme weather proofing, payload control, release mechanism, stabilisation and anti vibration systems, and much more.
Need an ‘outside the box’ solution? We’re the company to talk to.
