| Many people who enjoy general aviation will have | | | | consider contacting them before your arrival. |
| taken a camera up and happily snapped away to take | | | | How long will you be in the area? |
| advantage of some alternative views which would not | | | | Minimise noise nuisance to those on the ground, |
| have otherwise been possible This type of aerial | | | | consider two or three short visits rather than one long |
| photography perfectly legal and can provide some | | | | one. |
| fantastic images in the right conditions. However, when | | | | How many people in the aircraft? |
| selling the images or taking a professional | | | | The minimum crew should be two, pilot and |
| photographer with you who will sell the images this | | | | photography. Consider another person to help lookout |
| becomes commercial aerial photography and there | | | | and practice safe techniques before the actual |
| are many considerations which must be taken into | | | | photography. |
| account. | | | | Will low flying military aircraft be a possible harzard? |
| The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) considers these just | | | | Can you avoid their known operating heights? See |
| some of the important questions you should ask | | | | safety sense leaflet 18A, AIC 107/99 (yellow 345) and |
| yourself before undertaking any flight: | | | | UK AIP ENR 1-10-13. |
| Why are you taking pictures? Is there a valuable | | | | How much equipment are you carrying? |
| consideration being given for the flight? | | | | What is the effect on weight and balance? Will it |
| Is this a private flight? Public Transport Flight? Or Aerial | | | | obstruct the controls or emergency exits? Make sure |
| Work? Air Navigation Order 2000, Article 130. | | | | the photographer is briefed. |
| Where are you going to fly? | | | | Will you photograph other aircraft? |
| Will you be close to a person, vessel, vehicle or | | | | This is formation flying! See Rule 17 (1) (c). |
| structure? Will you be over an assembly of persons? | | | | The above list of questions is not a definitive guide to |
| Rule 5 (1) (e) Rules of the Air and Rule 5 (1) (d). | | | | the issues relating to aerial photography but it does |
| Will you be in controlled airspace? | | | | highlight many different aspects which must be taken |
| Do you need clearance from an Air Traffic Control | | | | into account. These will clearly vary depending on the |
| Unit? Use an up-to-date chart for the relevant area. | | | | type of photography, for example event photography |
| Will you be close to an Aerodrome? | | | | will pose different problems to construction |
| Know the frequency for the aerodrome, make sure | | | | photography or progress photography due to the large |
| they know who you are and what you are doing, | | | | gathering of people at outdoor events. |