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In the UK, sub 250 gram drones provide a convenient way for commercial and recreational operators to fly close to people and buildings. This is because drones over 250 grams are deemed to pose more of a threat to people should they fail.

As such, you cannot fly within 150m of any residential, commercial, industrial, or recreational areas and no uninvolved people must be present within the area of flight.

Open A3 subcategory regulations

What does this mean in general?

The advantage of these lightweight drones is their ability to operate in close proximity to people and buildings while minimising potential risks. Unlike their heavier counterparts, which are subject to stricter regulations due to the increased potential harm they may cause in the event of a failure, lightweight drones provide a convenient and safe way to capture stunning aerial shots and gather valuable data. Whether it’s capturing breathtaking scenery, property shoots, or other projects, these drones are becoming an indispensable tool for various industries.

With their compact size, ease of use, and flexibility, the opportunities they open up are unparalleled.

What does this mean for commercial operators?

Before products such as the DJI Mini 3 Pro were released, sub 250 gram drones were only used as a backup, or when airspace and other restrictions left no option but to use the small drone, here’s why:

Lack of Advanced Features

These drones often lack obstacle avoidance technology, and advanced imaging capabilities that larger, more feature-rich drones offer. Businesses with more complex needs might find themselves limited by the capabilities of these drones.

Light weight: Light Wind Resistance

Lighter drones have a much smaller form factor and weight, and this has a negative effect when flying close to buildings on windy days – the wind funnels between buildings and turbulent air makes the drone bounce around as it resists the wind. These drones do it well, but it causes shaky video footage which is inadequate for commercial use.

Small Sensors for Small Drones

One of the inherent limitations of sub 250 gram drones is the size of their sensors. Due to their compact form factor and lightweight design, these drones are equipped with relatively small sensors compared to their larger counterparts.

However…

It’s important to note that advancements in technology have led to significant improvements in sensor performance even in small drones. While they may not match the image quality of larger drones with larger sensors, small drones are still capable of capturing impressive aerial footage and imagery for both recreational and commercial purposes.

For instance, the Dji Mini 3 Pro boasts a 1/1.3″ sensor, wide f/1.7 aperture and good colour science – proving that sensor size doesn’t always matter, unless you make large prints.

Which industries benefit the most?

Real Estate and Property

The real estate industry has seen a considerable impact from the use of lightweight drones.

They provide a means of capturing stunning aerial shots of properties and landscapes, without having to fly away from people and buildings. From aerial tours of residential properties to aerial surveys of large estates, these drones enable real estate agents and property developers to showcase their listings in a unique and engaging way.

Journalism

Reporters and auditors can now capture compelling aerial footage of events, sites, and people without the invasive nature of larger drones. These drones offer journalists the opportunity to enhance the overall quality and boost the impact of their reporting.

Find out about how we use small drones in our work:

T-Hathaway Aerial Photograpy

Professional Drone Services across Yorkshire