Choosing the Right Drone Operator

“Protecting Your Brand, Your People, and the Public”

At Infinite by Skyfarer, we’ve seen it happen too many times: reputable companies unintentionally putting their trust, and their brand, into the hands of drone operators who don’t follow the rules.

Over the weekend, during one of our scheduled traffic management operations, we encountered yet another instance of this. A well-known television provider had hired a drone operator to capture footage at a local event. While the intention was harmless, the execution raised serious concerns.

This operator entered an active event space, where emergency services were already operating, without notifying any stakeholders, including us or those emergency teams. They didn’t follow standard procedures like coordinating the required volume Take-Off and Landing (TOL), nor did they adhere to the safety requirements outlined for such an environment.

This wasn’t just a miscommunication. It was a lapse in safety, professionalism, and protocol.

The Importance of Vetting Your Drone Operator

Drone operations may seem simple from the outside, just fly and film, right? But the reality is far more complex. Every flight involves airspace management, risk mitigation, and multi-agency coordination. And when companies hire operators without the proper checks, they open themselves up to liability, brand damage, and safety risks.

Before you hire a drone operator, ask for the following:

• Operational Authorisation (OA)

  • Ensure the operator has valid and appropriate authorisation from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for the type of operation being conducted.

• Public Liability Insurance

  • Check that they have up-to-date insurance covering drone-specific liabilities. This protects not just them, but you.

• Risk Assessments & Method Statements

  • Professional operators should provide a detailed assessment of potential hazards, along with mitigation strategies tailored to your specific event or site.

• Mission Plans & TOL Procedures

  • Look for clear documentation that outlines the flight path, TOL areas, and how they’ve coordinated with other stakeholders, especially emergency services and security teams.

• Aircraft Maintenance Logs

  • Operators should maintain regular records of their drone maintenance and pre-flight checks, essential for ensuring mechanical reliability.

• Stakeholder Communication Plan

  • They should be able to show how and when they’ve informed all relevant authorities, including local law enforcement, event organisers, and emergency services.

Your Reputation Deserves More

This isn’t about blaming companies or bad-mouthing operators. It’s about elevating the standards of drone operations to match the professional expectations of the industries they serve.

Your drone operator is an extension of your brand. Their actions, good or bad, reflect on your organisation. And in today’s world of instant media and public scrutiny, one misstep in the air can lead to a major reputational crisis on the ground.

Get It Right the First Time

At Infinite by Skyfarer, we pride ourselves on being a partner you can trust. Our team operates with precision, transparency, and a commitment to safety that never wavers. We don’t cut corners, and we don’t compromise.

If you’re planning an event, filming a project, or managing a site that needs eyes in the sky, get in touch with us. We’ll help you do it the right way, the first time.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can support your operations with safe, compliant, and professional drone services.