UAV (Airship)

Like most successful projects the key factor is simplicity: Both the aerostat and the airship provide stabilised aerial platforms for an array of professional quality digital cameras (HD and 360 video) with fibre optic and/or microwave downlinks.

The UAV (Airship) has the following advantages:

• it is exempt from CAA regulations (it is in the same category as model aircraft)

• it has a performance envelope from, say, minus 100 ft (if it can get 'down the hole' or 'through the door' we can get the images) up to a maximum height of 400ft (120m). By comparison, the maximum elevation of a standard 'cherry-picker' is approx 60ft (18.75m) and the minimum altitude for aircraft is normally between 500 - 700ft (156 - 218m)

• it is not subject to overflight restrictions - but we do inform relevant authorities (police, council, etc.) when filming in specific areas

• it is either silent (tethered) or ultra quiet (untethered) - we use electric motors for propulsion

• loiter or flying times range from hours (tethered) to 45 minute cycles (untethered) - allowing for battery changes

• it can fly within its operating parameters without intrusion or disturbance to people, animals, etc. and can get 'up close' to otherwise inaccessible locations (e.g. towers, spires, masts, the interior of buildings)

• it arrives on site ready-to-fly from its own trailer or alternatively is completely air-portable (the only requirement being a supply of helium at the other end); and...

• it is small - only 9.0m x 3.0m x 2.5m ( 29ft x 9.75ft x 8ft) fully inflated