How to Start a Drone Business: A Step-by-step Guide to Selecting the Best Drones to Buy for Your Business

Join the multi-billion-pound UK drone industry with trusted drone retailer, heliguy™’s step-by-step guide to selecting the best drones to buy for starting a drone business.

If you’re considering starting a drone business, now is the perfect time. The UK drone industry is rapidly growing, with applications including drone photography, inspections, agriculture, and search and rescue missions.

Whether you’re exploring drones to buy for flexible use or planning to integrate them into your daily operations, the opportunities are adaptable to your needs.

With affordable start-up costs and rising demand, drones are a great investment. This guide will help you choose the right drone, navigate UK drone laws, and improve your operational efficiency.

Why Drones? The Game-Changing Benefits for Your Sector

Now is the perfect time to enter the UK drone marketplace. In March 2024, the Department of Transport released the Future of Flight Action Plan, outlining the steps to position the UK as a global leader in drone services by 2030. A key focus of this plan is expanding commercial opportunities, reducing costs, improving safety, and creating jobs across industries.

Whether you’re a large-scale operation, small business or self-employed, integrating drones into your business can significantly improve efficiency whilst delivering exceptional quality.

DJI drones offer unparalleled versatility, catering to industries with models ranging from portable, cost-effective options to advanced enterprise solutions, including drone-in-a-box systems.

Use drones for:

• Cinematography: Drones are used to capture stunning aerial content, including establishing shots and tracking shots, offering greater efficiency and clarity than car-mounted cameras or helicopters.
• Photography and Filmmaking: Create professional-quality films, marketing campaigns, and event coverage with automated flight features that ensure optimal angles and detailed imagery.
• Live Surveillance: Monitor events from the skies with smart tracking features, including precise facial identification in crowds.
• Public Safety: Support emergency responders in search-and-rescue missions, disaster relief, and situational assessments by locating missing persons, monitoring hazardous areas, and delivering supplies efficiently.
• Surveying and Mapping: Generate detailed 2D maps, 3D models, and volumetric calculations quickly and accurately, streamlining tasks in construction, urban planning, and forestry.
• Building Inspections: Conduct safe, efficient inspections of hard-to-reach areas, such as roofs and facades, using high-resolution imagery to identify potential issues like cracks or leaks.

Which Drone Is Best for Me?

Choosing the best drone requires evaluating your objectives, budget, and operational requirements.

Mini Drones: Portable and Affordable Drones

Ideal for photography, filmmaking, and smaller-scale building inspections, the DJI Mini 4 Pro combines professional-quality imaging with compact designs, perfect for smaller budgets and versatile tasks.

Pro Drones: Shoot Cinematic Quality Footage

For cinematographers, the DJI Mavic 3 Cine Pro and DJI Inspire 3 offer filmmakers an efficient and streamlined option for filming close-ups, establishing shots, panning and tracking shots without bulky equipment, longer production timelines, or needing to hire a helicopter.

Enterprise Models: Advanced Surveying, Mapping and Inspections Solution

For large-scale industrial operations in sectors such as construction, oil & gas, and power, the DJI Matrice 350 RTK offers exceptional precision, durability, and performance. Perform surveying, mapping, and inspections with advanced features that deliver detailed zoom capabilities for unmatched clarity, ensuring better data capture, increased efficiency, and enhanced worker safety.

For an industry solution with remote deployment capabilities, the DJI Dock 2 enables 24/7 readiness and remote operations for remote missions, streamlining workflows in even the most challenging environments.

Implementation Advice: How Do I Integrate Drones into My Business

Integrating drones successfully into your operations requires careful planning and execution:

1. Assess Your Needs: Identify the specific tasks and challenges drones will address, such as improving inspection accuracy, capturing high-quality visuals, or streamlining data collection.
2. Invest in the Right Equipment: Choose drones and accessories that align with your business goals. Consider renting initially to test different models.
3. Build a Skilled Team: Ensure all drone pilots are properly trained and certified. Use heliguy™’s Learning Management System (LMS) for ongoing skill development.
4. Follow Regulations: Stay compliant with UK drone laws to avoid penalties and maintain a strong reputation.
5. Scale Gradually: Start with a small fleet to keep your start-up costs low, and expand as your operations grow, adding more advanced drones or enterprise solutions as needed.
6. Partner with Experts: Leverage heliguy™’s end-to-end support, including training, repairs, and advice, to maintain seamless operations and maximize your drone investment.

By following these steps, you can integrate drones into your business effectively, unlocking new efficiencies and capabilities across your industry.

How Do I Become a Drone Pilot?

Operating a drone for commercial purposes requires the right training and certifications in line with UK drone laws. Here’s how to get started:

A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC):

• • Allows for greater operational freedom for drones between 250g and 2kg, like the DJI Mavic Series.
  • Covers essential topics like flight planning, airspace considerations, and safety.
  • Involves theory-based learning, a multiple-choice exam, and self-guided flight training.

General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC):

• • Enables larger drones of up to 25kg, such as DJI M350 RTK, to operate closer to built-up areas.
  • Caters for pilots operating beyond standard permissions – such as conducting BVLOS flights.
  • Provides advanced knowledge and allows you to apply for an Operational Authorisation from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
  • Includes theory learning, a practical flight assessment, and the creation of an Operations Manual.

heliguy™ offers online and in-person training to meet these requirements, ensuring you’re fully prepared to operate safely and legally.

How Do I Run the Day-to-Day Operations?

Running a successful drone business goes beyond flying drones; it requires ongoing management, maintenance, and compliance. Here’s how heliguy™ supports your daily operations to ensure efficiency and reliability:

Drone Repairs and Maintenance:

Unexpected issues can disrupt your operations. heliguy™’s expert repair services are designed to minimise downtime by keeping your equipment in top condition. From fixing minor damages to performing full diagnostics, our team ensures your drones are always operational.

Access to DJI Support

Operating DJI drones requires technical knowledge to optimise performance. heliguy™ provides dedicated DJI Support to assist with troubleshooting, software updates, and performance adjustments, ensuring your equipment is always operating at its best.

Training and Compliance

Maintaining certifications and staying up to date with industry standards is vital for smooth operations. heliguy™ offers courses such as:

• A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC) for lightweight drones.
• General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) for more advanced operations.

These certifications not only meet UK drone laws but also improve your team’s operational expertise.

End-to-End Support

heliguy™ is more than a service provider; we are your operational partner. From training new pilots to supplying spare parts and offering rental options, we ensure your business is fully supported at every stage.

By using heliguy™’s comprehensive services, you can streamline day-to-day operations, maximise efficiency, and focus on delivering quality drone services to your clients.

Ready to Launch Your Drone Business?

The UK drone industry offers immense opportunities, with applications ranging from photography and mapping to public safety and building inspections. By investing in the right equipment, staying compliant with UK drone laws, and building a skilled team, you can successfully establish and grow your drone business.

heliguy™ is here to support you at every step, providing expert guidance, DJI support, training, and repair services to ensure smooth operations. Whether you’re starting small or looking to expand, our comprehensive services will help you achieve your goals.

Visit heliguy™ today to explore our range of drones, accessories, and training options, and take the first step towards a successful drone business.