Installing drone defence at Gatwick Airport, winning a place on a £2.6 million Network Rail framework, presented with a DJI Enterprise award, and launching in the USA - 2019 has been a busy year for heliguy™.
There's also been the launch of several products from DJI, including the groundbreaking Mavic Mini drone, the Osmo Action camera, and the M200 Series V2.
And the drone industry has had to contend with new regulations and the introduction of a UK registration scheme.
In this special blog, heliguy™ Insider reviews some of the highlights, key talking points and new releases of 2019.
January
DJI Launched Smart Controller
DJI announced the release of the Smart Controller, to maximise the outdoor flying experience.
This portable device has a 5.5-inch built-in screen which displays clear, bright images, even under challenging conditions. Intuitive controls and pre-installed features like SkyTalk and the DJI GO 4 app get you up in the air quicker, clearer, and more conveniently than ever before.
The DJI Smart Controller is compatible with the Mavic 2 Zoom, Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Enterprise Series.
The Smart Controller is available to buy from heliguy™, priced £579. Or purchase it in a combo with the Mavic 2 Pro, Mavic 2 Zoom or Mavic 2 Enterprise Series.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Assisted UK Airports With Drone Detection
heliguy™ assisted major UK airports with their drone-detection systems, as well as showcasing other options to enhance defences.
Working with these airports – which cannot be identified for security reasons – heliguy™ used its experience to test existing drone-detection systems in place, as well as demonstrating DJI AeroScope – a state-of-the-art UAV monitor.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Added Elistair Tethering Solutions To Our Books
heliguy™ announced that it was to sell Elistair’s state-of-the-art tethering systems – which can keep drones airborne 24/7 and are ideal for persistent intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and high-bandwidth communications.
heliguy™ stocks the Safe-T Tether and the Ligh-T Tether solutions.
Read the full story here.
February
DJI Launched M200 Series V2
Building on the success of the popular M200 Series, DJI unveiled the new Matrice 200 Series V2 - a rugged and reliable tool for a range of enterprise missions.
Improvements to the M200 Series V2 included enhanced intelligent control systems, and added flight safety and data security features. The X7 was also added to the range of compatible payloads.
The M200 V2, M210 V2 and the M210 RTK V2 are all on sale at Heliguy. Click here for details.
Read the full story here.
DJI Unveiled Ronin-S Essentials Kit
DJI revealed the Ronin-S Essentials Kit, to help even more photographers and filmmakers capture smooth, sharp footage.
The Essentials Kits includes the Ronin-S Gimbal, as well as a BG37 Grip, Camera Mounting Plate and a Camera Riser, among other things.
The DJI Ronin-S Essentials Kit is available to buy from Heliguy. Click here to buy yours.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Launched HECTIC
heliguy™ announced the launch of its new research and development department, to create bespoke and tailor-made items, offer custom-built solutions for commercial and enterprise drone missions, and provide hardware and software integrations.
HECTIC – which stands for heliguy™ Electronics and Custom Technology Integration Centre – is based at our North East England HQ and will turn people’s exciting ideas into reality.
Read the full story here.
March
DJI FlightHub Enterprise Introduced
DJI launched DJI FlightHub Enterprise, with some key differences between this and older versions - including private cloud access and additional features to give commercial operators more control over their implementations and data security.
DJI FlightHub software – compatible with a range of DJI drones – enables organisations to efficiently manage all aspects of their commercial drone operations from a single platform.
Read the full story here.
Extention To No-Fly Zone
New legislation to extend the no-fly zone around airports came into force on Wednesday, March 13.
The rules mean that it is now illegal to fly a drone within 5km of an airport, with major penalties for those who break the law.
Drone users can only fly within the restriction zones if they have the correct permission from air traffic control or the airport.
Read the full story here.
Beta Phase Of QEP For Pubic Safety Operations
Additional DJI enterprise drones – including the new M200 V2 Series – can be unlocked through DJI’s Qualified Entities Programme (QEP), which allows public-safety personnel to conduct drone operations without restriction.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Helped Police Force Expand Its Drone Fleet
heliguy™ delivered specialist training to South Yorkshire Police to help the Force expand its drone fleet and offer 24/7 UAV coverage.
heliguy™ put 19 officers through their paces on a five-day ES-DOT (Emergency Services Drone Operators Training) course.
A Force spokesman said: "Heliguy’s instructors have been fantastic and have made the training engaging and interesting."
Read the full story here.
DJI Launched Terra Mapping Tool
DJI launched DJI Terra – a new software tool to transform drone data into digital 3D models and maps for easy analysis and decision-making.
DJI Terra enables businesses and organisations using DJI drone technology to capture, visualise and analyse aerial images for a variety of applications across the public safety, construction, infrastructure, agriculture and film industries.
Learn more about DJI Terra here.
April
Balfour Beatty Using Drones On Smart Motorway
heliguy™ conducted an exclusive interview with Balfour Beatty to find out how the company was using drones - including the DJI Phantom 4 RTK - on a major Smart Motorway construction project.
Balfour Beatty said that drones enhance safety, increase efficiency, gather data faster, improve asset productivity and gain high-accuracy results.
Read the full story here.
DJI Launched Tello Iron Man Drone
Inspired by Iron Man’s classic armour, Tello Iron Man Edition’s shell includes the heroic Arc Reactor, while its motors and propeller tips are dipped in gold.
This drone is ideal for first-time flyers, including children, and can be flown indoors. It can also perform eight different flips, fly up and down from your hand in Bounce mode, or automatically record short videos with EZ Shots.
The Tello Iron Man is available to buy from heliguy™.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Unveiled Bespoke Police Dog Camera
heliguy™ tested a prototype of a specialist dog camera, designed for the police by our expert in-house research and development team, HECTIC.
The device underwent a thorough examination when it was demonstrated in front of Durham Police, receiving positive feedback in the process.
The design of the dog camera has since been tweaked.
Read the full story here.
DJI Phantom 4 RTK Accuracy Report
“The DJI Phantom 4 RTK is a good survey tool that can yield high accuracy.” That was the verdict of heliguy™ client, Terra Drone Europe, after testing the performance of the next-gen mapping drone.
Terra Drone's key findings included:
- In most cases, the accuracies that can be achieved without any ground control points (GCPs) are less than 3-4cm. This is a great time saver!
- In other workflows, using four GCPs are recommended. This is still a reduction in the amount of GCPs needed, compared to traditional surveying methods.
- The RTK (real-time kinematic) works ‘extremely well’.
Click here to buy the DJI Phantom 4 RTK from heliguy™.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Tested Drone Parachute
heliguy™ successfully demonstrated the effectiveness of a drone safety parachute for DJI’s Matrice Series – which dramatically slowed the aircraft’s fall from the sky during a simulated crash.
We equipped the M210 – popular with the emergency services – with the ParaZero SafeAir Parachute, which kicked into action as the drone was falling and brought the aircraft to the ground in a safe descent.
Read the full story here.
Were Drones Really To Blame For Near-miss With Plane?
2019 was the year of drone scaremongering in the media. One such article was that a Virgin Atlantic jet faced a collision at 14,000ft with two drones as it was approaching Heathrow Airport to land.
This story got us scratching our heads at heliguy™ HQ. Two drones, at 14,000ft! Really? So, we took a look at why drones might not have been to blame for this particular incident.
Read the full story here.
May
Drone Registration Scheme - Opposition To £16.50 Fee
A proposal to charge UAV operators, as part of the UK Drone Registration Scheme, resulted in a major backlash, with critics blasting the idea as outrageous and detrimental to the future of model flying.
Anger was voiced throughout the industry following the start of a Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) consultation which set out a plan to introduce an annual £16.50 fee for drone operators whose aircraft is between 250 grams and 20 kilograms.
Read the full story here.
Drones Being Used In Search And Rescue Trial
It was announced that drones supplied by heliguy™ would be used in a new trial to support vital search and rescue missions around the Essex coast, involving Essex Police, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
The drones will help coastguard rescue teams with operations around the county’s coastline, arming life-savers with valuable situational awareness – from finding missing people to risk-assessing potentially dangerous scenarios before sending the crew into action.
Read the full story here.
DJI Launched Osmo Action Camera
DJI unveiled the Osmo Action – a rugged and waterproof 4K camera which features front and rear colour screens, state-of-the-art electronic image stabilisation and rivals the GoPro HERO7 Black.
This new release is ideal for thrill-seekers, sports enthusiasts, professionals and vloggers, allowing you to capture every adventure in stunning detail.
The Osmo Action is available to buy from Heliguy. Click here to purchase yours.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Exhibited At Geo Business
heliguy™ exhibited at London's Geo Business 2019, the largest geospatial event in the UK. We showcased our HECTIC R&D consultancy, and drones such as the DJI Phantom 4 RTK and M210 RTK V2.
Read the full story here.
DJI Drones To Come With Plane Detection
DJI announced that it is committed to installing aeroplane and helicopter detectors in new consumer drones, as part of a 10-point plan to ensure the world’s skies remain safe in the drone era.
All new DJI drone models released after January 1, 2020, that weigh more than 250 grams will include AirSense technology, which receives ADS-B signals from nearby aeroplanes and helicopters and warns drone pilots if they appear to be on a collision course.
This will be the largest single deployment of ADS-B collision awareness technology to date and sets a new standard by putting professional-grade aviation safety technology in drones available to everyone.
Read the full story here.
June
FOI Report Showed No Proof Of Drones Flying Close To Planes In The UK
A Freedom of Information (FOI) request revealed that there has been NO concrete proof that a drone has ever flown close to manned aircraft in UK skies.
The statement was obtained by the Airprox Reality Check group – formerly known as the Flight Safety Board – following an FOI request to the UK Airprox Board (UKAB), whose primary objective is to enhance air safety in the UK and collate Airprox (near miss) reports.
The FOI request also revealed that there is NO confirmation that a drone has ever been involved in any of the 350+ drone Airprox reports which the Board has published to date.
Read the full story here.
DJI M600 Pro Helped Identify New Radiation Hotspots At Chernobyl
A team of researchers used drones, including a DJI M600 Pro supplied by heliguy™, to complete the most comprehensive survey of Chernobyl’s Red Forest – one of the most radioactive locations on Earth.
Flying a range of multi-rotor and fixed-wing aircraft, the scientists from the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics (NCNR) created 3D maps which not only provided up-to-date information on the sites with the greatest contamination, but also revealed previously undetected radiation hotspots.
Some areas are still strictly out of bounds to humans, so using drones allowed scientists to investigate hazardous places from a safe distance. UAVs also helped the team cover large areas quickly.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Presented With DJI Enterprise Award
heliguy™ was honoured with a Top 10 Partner of the Year (Europe) award from DJI Enterprise.
The accolade was presented during a major conference in Germany, during which we were the only UK company to give a presentation to industry experts from across the continent.
Speaking in front of a large audience, Heliguy’s Business Development Manager Ruairi Hardman set out our strategy for helping businesses start and scale their commercial drone programmes with DJI technology and how we are supporting a cross-section of top-level enterprise clients, from police forces to major firms such as Balfour Beatty.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Chalked Up Plan To Educate Youngsters Using DJI Robotics
heliguy™ announced plans to combine advanced technology with education to teach young people valuable coding and programming skills and make robotics more relevant and exciting.
The plans include working with schools to promote and develop STEAM – the educational approach to learning that uses Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics as access points for guiding student inquiry, dialogue, and critical thinking.
heliguy™ intends to teach these crucial skills and fuel children’s interests in these subjects by using DJI’s newly-released RoboMaster S1 mini tank and the Tello EDU drone.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Delivered £250,000 of Drone Stock To African Mines
heliguy™ supplied a quarter of a million pounds of drone stock to major mining companies in Africa, who are using this technology to increase safety and obtain fast and accurate data.
heliguy™ delivered a suite of DJI equipment to bolster fleets in the Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Namibia and Burkina Faso.
Read the full story here.
DJI Announced Government Edition For Increased Security
DJI announced a new Government Edition – an integrated drone solution designed to meet the stringent information security and data privacy requirements of government agencies.
It means that drone data – including photos and videos captured during flight – never leave the drone and therefore can never be shared with unauthorised parties, including DJI.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Launched CPD Course For Emergency Services
heliguy™ launched a specialist CPD (Continuing Professional Development) drone course for the emergency services, to enhance pilot expertise and covering advanced flight training, exemptions and legislation updates.
The CPD-accredited training package is essential for drone pilots in the emergency services, ensuring they are flying to a high standard and in strict accordance with the rules and regulations.
CPD is widely regarded as a mandatory activity in the continuation of any professional enterprise, helping to maintain an optimal level of safety and service provision.
Reads the full story here.
July
heliguy™ Won A Place on £2.6million Network Rail Drone Framework Contract
heliguy™ was awarded a major nationwide contract with Network Rail, as part of an Unmanned Aircraft Services framework worth up to £2.6million.
We were specially selected to supply, maintain, repair and service Network Rail’s drones, as well as to deliver training to the infrastructure group’s in-house pilots.
The three-year contract, which can be extended to five years, will help Network Rail use drones to cover infrastructure inspections and maintenance checks along its nationwide rail network.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Partners With ParaZero
heliguy™ partnered with ParaZero to sell SafeAir parachutes for DJI drones, helping to increase safety and minimise damage in the result of a flight failure.
The parachutes are compatible with the M200 Series (not M210 RTK V2); M600 Pro; DJI Phantom 4 (excluding RTK model); Mavic Pro Series; Mavic 2 series.
These parachutes are available to buy from Heliguy. Click here for more details.
Read the full story here.
Waterproof Case and Extension Rod Released For DJI Osmo Pocket
A waterproof case and an extension rod were released for the popular DJI Osmo Pocket.
The waterproof case allows thrillseekers to go to depths of up to 60 metres to capture smooth underwater shots.
The retractable DJI Osmo Pocket extension rod can reach a maximum length of 500mm, allowing you to shoot from different angles.
Both accessories are available to buy from Heliguy. Click here.
Read the full story here.
DJI Launched Ronin-SC
DJI released the latest addition to the renowned Ronin series – the Ronin-S Compact (SC), a single-handed three-axis gimbal designed for popular mirrorless cameras.
The Ronin-SC offers a highly compact design, high-grade materials and advanced technology to open the world of creative possibilities for users capturing videos and photographs.
It offers the same modes as Ronin-S, but with several exciting new additions, including Force Mobile and ActiveTrack 3.0, and is also almost half the weight of the Ronin-S.
The Ronin-SC Standard and Ronin-SC Pro Combo are available to buy from Heliguy. Click here for details.
Read the full story here.
DJI AeroScope Supplied By heliguy™ Detects Drones At British Grand Prix
DJI AeroScope – supplied by heliguy™ – was used to detect drones being flown illegally during the British Grand Prix weekend at Silverstone.
Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Emergency Services Drone Team used the sophisticated drone-detection system, alongside other software, to help trace rogue unmanned vehicles within the 2.5-mile restricted zone around the circuit.
A small number of drones were detected, with two of them seized over the weekend – having been controlled by pilots on nearby campsites and nearer the circuit by remote pilots seemingly unaware of their responsibilities and limitations as a drone user.
Read the full story here.
New Digital FPV System To Take Drone Racing To The Next Level
DJI unveiled the Digital First Person View (FPV) System – the first low latency HD video transmission signal which helps you fly like a bird and takes drone racing to the next level.
This breakthrough transmission technology is the next evolutionary step forward in drone racing and opens a world of creative possibilities for pilots, from beginners to experts.
Read the full story here.
August
How The DJI Inspire 2 Inspired A Filmmaker
An experienced filmmaker, who has used the DJI Inspire 2 to capture incredible footage for the BBC and L’Oréal, revealed how the drone and its cinematic cameras rekindled his passion for aerial photography.
Having initially struggled to shoot quality footage with hefty and expensive equipment aboard a paraglider and other small aircraft – and initially not a fan of drones – a frustrated Chris Boyes was all set to give up his dream of breaking into the industry.
But this all changed when he caught a glimpse of footage from the DJI Inspire 2 and the X5S camera.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Trained Derbyshire Police's First Female Drone Pilot
“It’s an achievement to be labelled the first, however, I think it’s more important to ensure that I am not the last.”
That was the inspirational message from PC Victoria Atherton after qualifying as Derbyshire Constabulary’s first female drone pilot.
The dedicated police officer became a fully-fledged member of the Force’s UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) division after passing her flight assessment during a specialist ES-DOT (Emergency Services Drone Operators Training) course run by drone expert heliguy™.
Read the full story here.
Drones Proved Their Worth At Whaley Bridge Dam Incident
From providing officers with crucial updates to keeping properties safe from potential thieves, drones showed their worth during the Whaley Bridge dam incident.
Derbyshire Constabulary Drone Unit utilised the capabilities of a range of DJI aircraft – supplied by heliguy™ – to provide a unique perspective of the situation at Toddbrook Reservoir, following the partial collapse of the dam wall, which led to 1,500 people being evacuated.
The drones helped officials gain up-to-date insights about the state of play at the site and were used to patrol the evacuated town following reports of burglars trying to take advantage of the mass exodus.
One of the police officers called out to the incident described the use of drones as fantastic.
Read the full story here.
DJI Osmo Mobile 3 Announced
DJI unveiled the Osmo Mobile 3 – the company’s first foldable gimbal which is an easily transportable and lightweight mobile phone stabiliser boasting 15 hours of battery life and a range of smart shooting modes.
Users can capture ultra-steady video footage and unique content using intelligent features programmed into the latest version of the DJI Mimo app.
The Osmo Mobile 3 and the Osmo Mobile 3 Combo are available to buy from Heliguy. Click here for details.
Read the full story here.
Police Officers Deployed Drones Less Than 48 Hours After heliguy™ ES-DOT Course
Two newly-qualified team members from Derbyshire Constabulary’s drone team were called into action less than 48 hours after completing Heliguy’s Emergency Services Drone Operators Training (ES-DOT) Course – filling a vital gap in operational capability.
PC Nick Rice and PC Alex Boniface used DJI drones – supplied by heliguy™ – to provide vital situational awareness of a live firearms incident and following a fatal road-traffic collision.
Thanks to the comprehensive training they received during Heliguy’s ES-DOT Course – which culminated in their practical flight assessment – the officers felt confident enough to put their new skills to the test – almost immediately after passing their exam.
The crucial addition of PCs Rice and Boniface to the drone team ensured that both incidents were covered by drone, because previously there had been no weekend UAS (unmanned aircraft system) cover in the Force.
Read the full story here.
September
heliguy™ Named National Winner In 2019 European Business Awards
heliguy™ was named as a National Winner in the prestigious 2019 European Business Awards – one of the world’s largest business competitions.
Chosen from hordes of entries, heliguy™ wowed a panel of independent judges – including business leaders, politicians and academics – to be selected as one of the UK’s elite in the Customer and Market Engagement Award with Turnover of €0-25million category.
As a result, heliguy™ made it to the final stage of the competition, to go head-to-head with businesses across Europe at a showpiece judging and gala ceremony in Warsaw, Poland, in December, to battle it out for the top prize.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Teams Up With MicaSense And SlantRange
heliguy™ added more world-class technology to its stock pool by teaming up with leading American brands, MicaSense and SlantRange, to offer high-quality products to our agricultural clients.
Read the MicaSense story here or click here for the SlantRange article.
DJI Unveiled Two New Payloads For The M200 Series
DJI unveiled two new payloads for the M200 Series of drones – a methane gas detector and a bright spotlight.
The AILF Instruments U10 UAV Based Laser Methane Leakage Detector is a lightweight, high-sensitivity gas detector based on Tunable Diode Laser Absorption Spectroscopy (TDLAS), which enables rapid identification of methane from up to 100 metres away, or at a concentration as low as 5ppm.m.
The Wingsland Z15 is a bright, three-axis stabilised gimbal spotlight with high power beads. With a maximum power of 48W and an operating range of up to 150 metres, this sensor is ideal for nighttime or lowlight missions across various industry verticals, including firefighting, emergency response and law enforcement.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Speaks At DJI AirWorks 2019 And Launches In America
Heliguy's Business Development Manager Ruairi Hardman was specially selected to speak at DJI's AirWorks conference in Los Angeles and he announced that heliguy™ was opening in Dallas, Texas, as part of a major expansion into the USA.
heliguy™ will serve the American commercial drone sector, offering a vast stock pool of aircraft, payloads and ancillaries from DJI and other major industry names to transform workflows across public safety, infrastructure, construction, mining, agriculture and film/media.
heliguy™ will also be bringing our successful consumer brand to the USA, offering DJI’s best hobbyist and professional equipment – from the Mavic range, to the ground-breaking Osmo line of handheld cameras and the educational robot, the RoboMaster S1.
DJI's Romeo Durscher backed our expansion into the USA, describing it as exciting.
Read the full story here.
AirWorks 2019 - Highlights
With heliguy™ attending DJI's AirWorks conference, we were able to hear first hand some of the exciting developments in the drone industry. These included:
- DJI launched two new drones for agriculture - the P4 Multispectral and the Agras T16. Read the full story here.
- FLIR launched industry's first multi-gas detector for drones. Read the full story here.
- heliguy™ secured an exclusive interview with DJI's Romeo Durscher, to discuss drones in public safety. Read the full story here.
- DJI reiterated its commitment to addressing privacy and security concerns which have emerged in the USA, before stressing: ‘Your data is not our business’. Read the full story here.
- DJI unveiled the X-Port gimbal – a ground-breaking fast-track payload-to-drone integration solution which will cut development time in half and help bring new and creative sensors and cameras to the enterprise industry. Read the full story here.
- Drones have saved the lives of at least 279 people – DJI announced at AirWorks 2019. Read the full story here.
October
ITV Show Spread Drones For Good Message
ITV show 999: Britain From Above shined the spotlight on the crucial role that drones are playing in public safety, from helping to find missing people to providing vital surveillance at a derby football match.
The prime-time programme featured specific ‘drones for good’ case studies from numerous police forces, including Derbyshire and Norfolk who have both been supplied equipment by heliguy™.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Named On Prestigious List Of Fastest Growing Companies
heliguy™ was named as one of the 50 fastest-growing companies across the North East of England.
The Fastest 50 list recognises those market-leading companies inspiring belief, spearheading innovation and driving change. It is compiled by UK Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway and supported by The Journal newspaper.
The Ward Hadaway North East Fastest 50 highlights and celebrates the achievements of fast-growing, profitable companies in the region by compiling and publishing an annual list of the 50 fastest-growing privately-owned businesses across the region.
Read the full story here.
MicaSense Launched New Drone Camera For Precision Agriculture
Heliguy’s strategic partner MicaSense released the RedEdge-MX Dual Camera Imaging System – a synchronised 10 band solution for advanced remote sensing and agricultural research.
Featuring the new RedEdge-MX Blue, this solution captures the standard bands of MicaSense’s existing RedEdge-MX sensor, plus a new group of filters to enable more analysis like shallow water environments monitoring or detailed analysis on chlorophyll efficiency.
Read the full story here.
Hands-on Review Of The DJI RoboMaster S1
heliguy™ was the first UK drone dealer to get their hands on DJI’s RoboMaster S1. We put this educational robot through its paces.
Read the full story here.
Controversial UK Drone Registration Fee Reduced
A controversial plan to charge UK drone users £16.50 a year was reduced to £9, following pressure from the industry.
Read the full story here.
DJI Mavic Mini Launched
DJI unveiled the Mavic Mini drone. This ground-breaking aircraft weighs only 249g.
Its modest price tag of £369 makes it one of the most affordable and powerful drones of its kind, boasting 30 minutes of flight time, a 12MP camera, and a range of QuickShot options.
Buy the Mavic Mini from Heliguy. Click here.
Read the full story here.
November
UK’s Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Scheme Went Live
The UK’s new Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Scheme went live.
The new regulations apply to drones and model aircraft from 250g to 20kg that are used outdoors.
As part of the new regulations, drone users in the UK must pass an online theory test and obtain a Flyer ID. Under the terms of the scheme, anyone that owns or is responsible for a drone or model aircraft must register to get an Operator ID.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Installed Drone Defence At Gatwick Airport
heliguy™ provided Gatwick Airport with a sophisticated drone defence system, which now forms part of the airport’s overall counter UAV capability to protect itself from rogue attacks and to stop a repeat of the disruption caused at Christmas 2018.
Gatwick chose heliguy™ as its critical supplier and we have recently installed the counter-drone technology, as part of a broader, comprehensive solution which protects the airport from a wide range of unmanned aircraft.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Hired GIS And Drone Mapping Expert
heliguy™ bolstered its enterprise team by employing a GIS expert to help surveyors maximise their drone programmes, utilise collected data and increase return on investment.
Ben Sangster has joined heliguy™ to provide comprehensive workflow support to our commercial clients, with a focus on spatial mapping, photogrammetry, surveying, and LiDAR.
He will be offering specialist and dedicated advice on the best industry-specific hardware, including DJI’s next-gen mapping drone the Phantom 4 RTK, plus the M210 RTK Series V2 aircraft.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ Unveiled DJI Mavic 2 Drone Cage
heliguy™ unveiled a prototype of a lightweight and robust cage for the DJI Mavic 2 drone series, ideal for internal inspection and enhancing flight safety.
Designed and built by our in-house team, this new product is a collision-proof solution to maximise data collection and missions in hostile places and confined areas.
It is priced at around £500, affords up to 15 minutes of flight time, weighs 210g, and offers an unobscured camera view.
Read the full story here.
DJI Drone, Supplied By heliguy™, Used To Install Bird Diverters
A DJI M600 Pro drone, supplied by heliguy™, was used to install a ‘record number’ of bird diverters on a stretch of electricity power lines – overcoming the challenge of difficult and rugged terrain in the process.
Thanks to the drone, 1,500 diverters were fitted in the space of just five days, resulting in a far more efficient, cost-effective and safe installation compared to alternative methods.
heliguy™ also offered a free consultation on a payload proposal which would allow the drone to fit the diverters.
Read the full story here.
December
DJI AeroScope To Be Added To UK Catalogue Of Trusted Security Equipment
DJI AeroScope - which heliguy™ specialises in - was evaluated and passed by the UK’s Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI).
It was assessed successfully under the CPNI Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) Detect, Track and Identify (DTI) Testing and Evaluation Standard.
As a result, DJI AeroScope will be included in the CPNI Catalogue of Security Equipment (CSE). The CSE is available to help security practitioners identify appropriate physical security equipment and further information will be available on the CPNI’s public website in 2020.
Read the full story here.
heliguy™ And Altitude Angel Announced Partnership
Drone defence specialist heliguy™ formed a strategic partnership with Altitude Angel, the industry-leading UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) technology provider.
The aim of the alliance is to provide a 360° UTM/Counter-UAS solution to aerodromes and strategic infrastructure owners across the globe.
Read the full story here.
New Drone Regulations To Start In The UK In Summer 2020
New drone regulations are to be introduced in the UK next year, which will remove the PfCO (Permission for Commerical Operations) but have the potential to unlock more flying opportunities for more people.
The changes will come into play from Wednesday, July 1, 2020, and are designed to align with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and build on the recently-introduced Drone and Model Aircraft Registration Scheme in the UK.
The new rules will do away with the limitations and ambiguity around commercial and non-commercial drone operations, and will instead be based around the type of drone you have and where you fly it.
Read the full story here.
DJI Phantom Drone Series Among Gadgets Of The Decade
The DJI Phantom drone range, sold by heliguy™ for almost seven years, was named as one of the gadgets of the decade by several influential websites, including TIME and The Verge.
It featured alongside the likes of the Amazon Echo, Apple iPad, Tesla Model S, Apple iPhone 4, the Sony PlayStation 4, and the Samsung Galaxy Note.
Read the full story here.
DJI Drones Used For Seal Pup Count
The DJI Mavic 2 Pro and DJI Phantom 4 Pro, supplied by heliguy™, were used to count a record number of seal pups in a safer, quicker and less disruptive way, compared to traditional methods.
The drones complemented the work of rangers on the ground and made the task far quicker – helping to complete an island survey within 40 minutes, compared to a traditional foot count which can take up to six hours.
Utilising the unmanned aircraft also makes the count more accurate, increases ranger safety and allows them to see onto the smaller islands which are more challenging to land in difficult sea conditions, and is less stressful for the seals.
Read the full story here.
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