Flights & permissions

What Northframe holds

• CAA registration. Northframe is registered with the UK Civil Aviation Authority.
• Commercial drone insurance. Insurance for commercial drone work is held. Policy details are available on request.

These are the credentials Northframe holds. If a job would need a permission, authorisation or qualification that isn’t listed here, you’ll be told before booking and the job won’t be flown under those conditions.

Rules every flight follows

All flights follow the UK drone rules that apply to the aircraft and the operator, as set out by the Civil Aviation Authority. In practice that means, among other things:

• Keeping the drone in direct sight throughout the flight.
• Staying within the legal maximum height, normally 120 m (400 ft) above the ground.
• Not flying over crowds, and keeping a safe distance from people who aren’t involved.
• Respecting restricted airspace, including zones around airports and other protected sites.

You can read the CAA’s guidance at caa.co.uk/drones.

What can restrict or stop a flight

• Airspace. Some locations sit inside restricted zones, for example near airports and airfields, or under temporary restrictions. Some can’t be flown at all; others need permissions in advance.
• People and events. Busy places and gatherings limit where the drone can go. Event coverage is planned around this.
• Weather. Wind, rain and low cloud affect safety and image quality. Shoots are rescheduled when conditions aren’t suitable.
• Land and take-off. Permission is needed from the landowner or occupier for take-off and landing, and sometimes to film a property.
• Privacy. Flights are planned to avoid capturing people and private spaces that aren’t part of the job.

Before you book

When you request a quote, include the address or postcode. The location is checked before anything is confirmed, and you’ll be told plainly if it can’t be flown or needs adjustments.