Start a Drone Business with heliguy™

If you’re thinking about starting a drone business, there’s no better time to enter the market.

The UK drone industry is thriving, and with the right knowledge and tools, you can build a successful venture tailored to your sector. Leverage our advice to take full advantage of the diverse applications of drones across areas such as inspections, filming, surveying, farming, public safety, and beyond.

Follow These Steps to Establish Your Own Drone Business

Understand the Growing Market

Now is the time to get involved and be part of this rapidly expanding industry.

In March 2024, the UK Government, in collaboration with The Future of Flight Industry Group, launched the UK Future of Flight Action Plan. This strategic initiative aims to position the UK as a global leader in the drone industry by 2030. With plans to invest in drone businesses to achieve this goal, PwC estimates that these advancements could generate annual economic benefits of up to £2 billion by 2040. Now is the time to get involved and be part of this rapidly expanding industry.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is putting into motion plans to modernise UK airspace by allowing BVLOS drone missions to be an everyday practice across the industry.

The CAA are currently working with top industry players to collect crucial safety data on drone detection, avoidance, and communication with other aircraft and air traffic control. These projects include:

• Amazon Prime Air: Drone deliveries.

• Airspection: Offshore wind farm inspections.

• NPAS: Policing with uncrewed aircraft.

• NATS: BVLOS inspections over the North Sea.

• Project SATE: Flights to Orkney.

• Project Lifeline: Medical deliveries.

Additionally, the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) has introduced a new permit that enables farmers to apply for permission to conduct targeted pesticide spraying using spraying drones.

In June 2024, the first permit was issued for spreading slug pellets with drones, marking a significant step toward integrating drones as everyday tools for this industry. To ensure safe drone spraying practices, the HSE is collaborating with drone operators in the agriculture sector to develop a comprehensive understanding of the associated risks.

Utilise Your Knowledge of UK Drone Laws

Be Compliant & Well-Informed, and You'll Thrive

Understanding drone laws and staying informed about any changes is essential to avoid breaking regulations, preventing fines, upholding good practices, and maintaining a trustworthy reputation. While this may seem intimidating, it’s pretty straightforward: with the proper support and information, understanding drone laws mainly* involves knowing the flying categories, determining where your drone fits within this framework, and ensuring compliance.

One of the key advantages of starting a drone business in the UK is the supportive regulatory environment. For example, you can commercially fly the DJI Mini 4 without extensive drone training, making it easier for newcomers to enter the industry and start offering services immediately.

Check out our Drone Laws page for critical information in an easy-to-digest format to learn more about drone laws.

*But not limited to.

Take Advantage of New Technology

Streamline Data Capture with Mini Drones' Advanced Automated Flight Features

Save valuable time and reduce manual labour with mini drones. Mission planning is easier than ever; with enhanced camera quality, obstacle sensing, and intuitive flight capabilities, you can schedule stops and choose from a vast range of shooting modes.

This versatility allows you to capture content, inspect buildings, or monitor events easily - the possibilities are endless.

For example, rather than using a cherry picker for inspections, a drone can quickly fly up to gather data and maintain an accurate log to help track wear and tear over the years. This approach is not only more efficient but also more sustainable. Additionally, drones can shoot high-quality cinematography and capture perfect shots without bulky equipment.

Keep Your Start-Up Costs Low

Grow your fleet either through purchase or rental with heliguy™

Starting a drone business typically requires a smaller investment than many traditional ventures, with high-quality 4K camera drones, such as the DJI Mini 4, available for under £1000, enabling you to provide professional-grade services without a hefty initial investment.

Or use heliguy™'s rental service, significantly lowering the initial capital required to get started; this flexibility allows you to explore various markets and services without substantial financial risk.

Find the Sector Which Suits You Best

With so many sectors to explore, you can tailor your drone business to your interests and expertise.

One of the advantages of the drone industry is that there are multiple applications a wide range of sectors, including:

Photography and Videography:

One of the largest shares of the commercial drone industry, capture stunning aerial shots for cinematography, filming events, shooting content, real estate, and marketing campaigns.

Best Drones:

• DJI Mini 4 or DJI Mini 4 Pro;

• DJI Air 3S or DJI Air 3;

• DJI Mavic 3 Pro Cine;

• DJI Avata 2.

Surveying and Mapping:

Offer precise land surveys and topographic mapping using drones to create 2D maps, 3D models, and perform volume calculations. This technology supports industries like construction, forestry, mining, urban planning, and public safety.

Best Drones:

• DJI Mini 4 or DJI Mini 4 Pro;

• DJI Mavic 3 Enterprise;

• DJI Matrice 350 RTK.

Building Inspections:

Drones have become a great tool for building & infrastructure inspections, collecting highly-accurate data without needing to have people working at height - saving time and money in the process.

Best Drones:

• DJI Mini 4 or DJI Mini 4 Pro;

• DJI Mavic 3 Thermal.

Commercial Inspections:

Utilise drones and their sophisticated sensors to provide inspections of bridges, telecommunication towers, wind turbines, powerlines, pipelines, and even solar panels. Enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of your inspections whilst reducing manual labour and risk to workers.

Best Drones:

• DJI Mini 4;

• DJI Mini 4 Pro;

• DJI Matrice 350 RTK;

• DJI Dock 2.

Agriculture:

Drones have become an essential tool in agriculture, assisting with tasks like crop inspection, livestock management, and seed spreading. By providing advanced aerial data collection, drones help farmers efficiently monitor crops and manage livestock.

Best Drones:

• DJI Mavic 3 Multispectral;

• DJI Agras T25;

• DJI Agras T50.

Public Safety:

Drones are widely used in the Emergency Services sector, where they play a crucial role in saving lives. By assisting responders in search and rescue missions, drones help increase speed and accuracy, making operations more efficient and effective.

Best Drones:

• DJI Mavic 3 Thermal;

• DJI Matrice 350 RTK;

• DJI Dock 2.

Access heliguy™ End-to-End Support

Not just a sale, we offer advice, hardware, and training when you need it.

Starting and running a drone business isn't just about buying your drone. It's a multi-layered operation which can involve training, on-going support, repairs, and a trusted supplier.

This is where heliguy™ comes in, our value goes beyond a one-off quick sale. Our deeply-integrated ecosystem of services ensures we can support your drone business at every step, from start-up to scale.

heliguy™ Provides:

"I would like to thank everyone at heliguy™ for their support over the years. heliguy™ understands what most companies have failed to – that it’s not just about selling stuff, but a genuinely human and caring approach to every aspect of aftersales, service and support." Chris Boyes - 5kdigitalfilm.

Use the heliguy™ Four-step Action Plan

Lay the ground for your drone business, designed for starting small and growing over time.

Get your drone business off the ground with our four-step action plan to designed to help you build a solid foundation and scale gradually over time.

As your operations expand, you'll need to ensure your plan evolves accordingly. For more advanced use cases, consider options like larger drones, specialised training courses, and processing software to meet your growing needs.

"I wanted a drone provider that I could stick with throughout the lifecycle of my business and provide all the services I would need - and heliguy™ is exactly that supplier: The training was professional, they helped me pick the right kit, and guided me through set-up once the kit arrived." Quinton Quayle - Quayle Industries.

Key Considerations

Essential Factors to Keep in Mind.

• Start Small & Prepare to Scale Up: When starting your drone business, begin small and scale up gradually. Focus on mastering one use case before expanding. Having a plan in place early on will help you hit the ground running as you grow your equipment and team.

• Test, Train, And Learn: "Practice makes perfect" holds true for starting a drone business. Test, train, and learn your equipment, both hardware and software, to become efficient in your field. You may need an A2 or GVC certification, so use our training calculator to determine the right course. The more skilled you are, the easier it is to scale your business.

• Drone Insurance: This is essential for commercial operations, protecting both your business and equipment. Costs vary based on coverage, drone type, and contract length, with pay-as-you-fly options available. We've partnered with Coverdrone for competitive rates - get a quote today.

Summary

The drone industry offers immense potential for growth and innovation. With heliguy™'s support and the right strategies, you can launch a successful drone business that thrives in this dynamic market.

Contact us today to start your drone journey and be part of the exciting future of aerial technology.