New Member from West Sussex UK

hugh4g

hugh4g

Member
Hello, My name is Hugh and I am a full time photographer working in the field of cultural history and architecture. I also specialise in immersive VR photography and panoramas.

I've been drawn to this forum as I try to learn about the varieties of different ways of flying a camera. Clients have recently been asking for aerial footage and stills.

To start the ball rolling I've bought a small contra rotating helicopter which I am struggling with, as it throws itself against anything it can, but gradually less. I am in awe of the flying skills of some copter wranglers.

My plan is to buy a small camera ship (less than £1000) to prove to myself and clients that we have a working prospect of getting useable imagery before making any larger investment.

My questions at the moment are to try and understand the merits and demerits of the various open systems, what for instance is the difference between Open Pilot and Arducopter Mega?

Aesthetically my tendencies are towards the Y6 but that may well change.

Best to all


Hugh
 



Droider

Droider

Drone Enthusiast

quadcopters

quadcopters

Quadcopters.co.uk Drone Specialists
Hi Gary have you taken the BNUC-S Ground and Flight Exam required for flying multi rotors for Hire or reward ?
If you have it would be great to hear from you and if you could give any tips or pointers for the exams .
Myself and Droider aka Dave are trying to get a group booking together for the exams , and although i dont do photography or video for £££ I still think it would be a handy thing to have as I get many customers asking about this.
Geoff


Gary Mortimer said:
Welcome Hugh, if you are in the UK and flying for hire and reward you will have to get conversant with this I am afraid

http://www.caa.co.uk/application.aspx?catid=33&pagetype=65&appid=11&mode=detail&id=415

Its not too difficult and well worth it.
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Macsgrafs

Macsgrafs

Active Member
quadcopters said:
Hi Gary have you taken the BNUC-S Ground and Flight Exam required for flying multi rotors for Hire or reward ?
If you have it would be great to hear from you and if you could give any tips or pointers for the exams .
Myself and Droider aka Dave are trying to get a group booking together for the exams , and although i dont do photography or video for £££ I still think it would be a handy thing to have as I get many customers asking about this.
Geoff
Click to expand...

Geoff, I've just read CAP722 & it seems so much doesnt apply to us. They mention having a BMFA a cert for less than 7Kg weight. I did read some where that the test for UAS commercial use if about £1100!!!! Complete rip off.

Ross
 

Droider

Droider

Drone Enthusiast
Ross it may be a rip off but if its a hoop I have to jump through then I will. I spend thousands on different certs for this an that in my work.. Its going to cost me several thousand next year to re certify for my gas work that I have been doing for 30 years but if I dont do it I'm stuffed cant work.. I just see this as the next step to getting out of gas... if we can get a few together we can get a discount.. for me its tax deductible so may as well give it them than the tax man.

Dave
 

hugh4g

hugh4g

Member
Keep me posted... I'm gathering a series of clients that have things to be photographed... latest is a photovoltaic farm...!

best

Hugh
 

Macsgrafs

Macsgrafs

Active Member
Droider said:
Ross it may be a rip off but if its a hoop I have to jump through then I will. I spend thousands on different certs for this an that in my work.. Its going to cost me several thousand next year to re certify for my gas work that I have been doing for 30 years but if I dont do it I'm stuffed cant work.. I just see this as the next step to getting out of gas... if we can get a few together we can get a discount.. for me its tax deductible so may as well give it them than the tax man.

Dave
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Dave I think it's about time people in this country woke up to the difference between legal & lawful!!! Legal is a statute & only given the force of law with our consent, for more info please check out "John Harris", It's an illusion on youtube....be prepaired to be shocked.

Ross
 

G

Gary Mortimer

Member
I have a real flying licence so that helps with these hoops, as such I did'nt do that course and am considering creating my own for people if there is enough interest.

The BMFA route will be closed completely soon so if I were you folks instead of whinging I would get on and get the BMFA ticket and make your application with the CAA. You don't have to do the BNUC thats just bull on their part.

In a couple of years time its going to be CPL(U) and that will be taken only at Gatwick I expect.
 

Macsgrafs

Macsgrafs

Active Member
Hi Gary,

Good points. Is it the BMFA A we need? Im concerned as the BMFA tests ask for manouvers tht I'm sure a MR aircraft can't do!!!!

Ross
 

G

Gary Mortimer

Member
I would go and get a standard BMFA A rotary ticket with a standard helicopter and don't tell anyone you are going for commercial AP in the end. I have heard of several places upping the price as soon as they know what you need it for!

Especially those near Salisbury Plain.

Once you have your ticket and insurance get the form filled with the CAA.
 

Droider

Droider

Drone Enthusiast
You don't have to do the BNUC thats just bull on their part.
Click to expand...

For me that aint really an option or relevant coz I dont have the time to learn how to fly my Blade 400 which bares no resemblace to flying my ADX3.

Just to clarify Gary we dont need this BNUC? Could we then just elect to take their flying test?

Dave
 

Macsgrafs

Macsgrafs

Active Member
Gary Mortimer said:
I would go and get a standard BMFA A rotary ticket with a standard helicopter and don't tell anyone you are going for commercial AP in the end. I have heard of several places upping the price as soon as they know what you need it for!

Especially those near Salisbury Plain.

Once you have your ticket and insurance get the form filled with the CAA.
Click to expand...

Nice one Gary, will have a word with my mate who is a local examiner & see what he can do.

http://www.bmfa.org/achievement/files/Hel-A-2011.pdf

Ross
 
Last edited by a moderator:

hugh4g

hugh4g

Member
putting that toe in the water!

Ok, you fellows are way beyond me... I'm just getting control of my first RC helicopter...

However I hear what you say and know that you are right about the BMFA licence. To help get me there, Dave has suggested I get myself a Gaui. I'm inclined to one of Flying Wing's tricopters. The reason being that I suspect it might be upgradable to open pilot.... Or should I be worrying about that now?

I've just uploaded a few pics to my album to show the kind of stuff I do.

Best

Hugh
 



G

Gary Mortimer

Member
@Droider if you don't have time to learn to fly your Blade and get a BMFA ticket then the CAA will expect you to turn up with something else. The only show in town is the full BNUC at the minute I don't think they will let you do flight test only.
 

Droider

Droider

Drone Enthusiast
Gary Mortimer said:
@Droider if you don't have time to learn to fly your Blade and get a BMFA ticket then the CAA will expect you to turn up with something else. The only show in town is the full BNUC at the minute I don't think they will let you do flight test only.
Click to expand...

Yeh... looking in to it and its easier for me to take the bitter pill and get it over with down the BNUC route

Dave
 

Macsgrafs

Macsgrafs

Active Member
Dave, spend a few hours on a sim, then borrow/steal a 600 size heli & do the A test, its FREE!!!! I'm hoping to do mine on Saturday as my mate who I fly with is area examiner for helis ;)

Ross
 

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