In 2017 EMEC first sent a member of staff on a drone proficiency course, allowing them to apply for Permission for Commercial Operation (PfCO) for EMEC to be a registered commercial drone user. Our drone pilot now works alongside the ecology, land management and arboriculture teams, providing a variety of services. The use of the drone means we can undertake aerial vegetation and tree surveys, roof inspections, and provide photographs for plant survey maps. We currently use the Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (SUAV) to enhance our reports, we also offer 3D mapping, Orthomosaic images of habitat areas for analysis, videos for advertising or recording seasonal vegetation change and general site photographs and videos.

Services offered include

  • Site mapping (Base maps for phase 1 habitat surveys and protected species survey)
  • Habitat and vegetation mapping
  • Building and tree inspections
  • Photography and 3D mapping/ modelling
  • Site monitoring (repeat surveys to assess habitat change over a number of years)
  • General photography and videography
  • Invasive species surveys and mapping

Examples of drone video footage taken at Besthorpe, Spalford Warren Nature Reserve and the Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Wilder Woodland Gathering can be found on our Facebook page.

Aerial photograph of farm buildings and associated land.
Example of an orthomosaic image.

Legalisation

Our company and all our pilots are qualified and registered with the CAA and are fully insured to fly commercially. Safety is the first priority in all EMEC activities. We are committed to implementing, developing and improving strategies, management systems and processes to ensure that all its aviation-related activities uphold the highest level of safety performance and meet national and where appropriate international standards as outlined in Article 94-95 by the CAA.

It is the goal of EMEC to operate aircraft without harm, injury or damage to any persons or property. The EMEC Pilot In Command will comply with all safety requirements and limitations of the Permission for Commercial Operations issued by the UK CAA stated in Article 241 of CAP 393.