Amazon is planning to use drones to deliver parcels in the not-too-distant future, but here in Suffolk unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are already being used to help sell homes.
David Mortimer, based in Woodbridge, is an energy assessor working in the homes industry, and he also produces floor plans for estate agents.
But he has now added another string to his bow - taking aerial photos of Suffolk homes to help estate agents market larger properties.
He is fully qualified in drone flying and approved by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to take on commercial work.
Drones or UAVS are aircraft are potentially dangerous for someone without proper training to operate safely.
Mr Mortimer said: “They are dangerous in unqualified hands.
“It has taken nine months to get my licence. You have got to do a lot of homework, and air navigation and safety is part of the private pilot’s exam. I had two days of courses, written examinations and also an air examination – flying the drone.”
He continued: “Most of my commercial work is on properties, though I have done weddings, too.
“I am primarily taking aerial photos and videos of large residential properties as well as commercial sites and units.
“There are a number of different things it can be used for; including aerial shots of large parcels of land where you want to see all the boundaries, farmland and even weddings.
“Some of it is for estate agents or for private homeowners.
“It fits in well alongside my other work, doing EPCs and floorplans.”
Getting properly qualified, buying the drone and other equipment has cost him around £4,000.
“The area does need to become properly regulated. By getting properly qualified I am ahead of the game,” he added.
I met up with David to see him fly his drone, and takes some photographs from high above us.
Quickly and quietly his battery-powered plane rose up to 300-350ft and was taking panoramic views across Holywells Park, Ipswich and the Waterfront.
He even took a ‘selfie’ of ourselves there – standing on the grass below.
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