Before even contemplating starting in business taking aerial photographs from kites and hot air balloons we thoroughly
checked for regulations, rules and laws that might affect our work.
We need to take very careful account of air traffic control regulations as controlled by the Civil Aviation
Authority in the UK. There are also rules regarding the use of radio systems and video transmissions and even some
little-known regulations restricting the use of advertising on kites and hot air balloons.
197 aerial photography are fully aware of and are compliant with all the relevant laws and regulations governing our
business. We are also fully insured, carrying third party and public liability cover.
It is vital, for the protection of ourselves and the public at large, that we keep well within the bounds
of all the relevant regulations as well as those of safety and common sense. In every case our own internal safety and
control systems are to a far higher standard than is required.
We are pleased to tell you that to date, in several years of successful trading and many hundreds of flights, we have not
had any claims made against us, nor have we ever had any accidents involving third parties or damage to property. Our
relationship with both civil and military air traffic controllers is equally unblemished.
As applied to kites and tethered hot-air balloons in the UK the flying regulations are remarkably simple.
We are generally limited by safety regulations to a height of 200 feet - 60 metres, actually 197 feet less a shade under 1.8 inches - but
this is reduced to half that within the flight area of an airport.
Hot air balloons have the same limits imposed on them but the same safety rules mean that we can't use a balloon at any
height inside an airport flight area.
However, we can usually obtain clearance from the CAA to fly a lot higher pretty much anywhere that it's safe to do so, including within the restricted areas round airports. So far, we've never been refused permission.
In areas where military flying takes place, often at very low levels, we naturally need to directly and accurately advise the correct authorities beforehand.
We keep a careful eye on anyone trying to emulate our success, as you can imagine. Recently we read about a chap who
admits to using illegal radio equipment, another who freely confesses that he flies kites way above the legal height limits,
knowingly endangering aircraft, and yet another who boasts that the law doesn't apply to him because he's never been
caught breaking it!
Idiots like that give cowboys a bad name and are best avoided. Not only do they not carry insurance of any sort - you can't
insure an illegal act - but their clients might well find themselves landed with a huge bill for the damage they do.
If you don't see the picture you want, email or fax us - we may have it in stock
All the photographs, logos, graphics and text on this website are
Copyright © 197 aerial photography
and all Moral Rights are asserted.
Click here if you need to ask 197 aerial photography
about copyright licences or if you wish to ask for a price
to use any of our images on a website or in other media.
Information about copyright and image usage can be found by clicking this line.
All sales and copyright licences are as per our Terms of Trading,
available on request in print, via the web or by email.
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