Drones for gutters?

[Redditch windy]

has anyone considered using a drone for initial inspection on gutters?

 

[Pjj]

has anyone considered using a drone for initial inspection on gutters?

You aren’t allowed to use them within 75 meters of a property or people unless you have a caa licence , I think you also need something else as well to use it for business use .

 

[ched999uk]

You aren’t allowed to use them within 75 meters of a property or people unless you have a caa licence , I think you also need something else as well to use it for business use .

I believe that changed a couple of years ago!
You used to have to be CAA certified to operate any 'drone' on a commercial basis. That changed a while ago. Now if under 250gms you don't even need to register to fly as long as a few conditions are met, such as only flying over property and people you have permission to do so etc. If over 250gms and under about 2.5kg (I think) then you just need to register and have your pilot number on the drone, the registration is online and you have a multi choice test to do and pay about £16 for 2 years I think.
I must admit I am not up on the latest changes re categories of drones depending on mass and max velocity etc as I only fly sub 250gms quads that have less restrictions especially as home built ones come under different regs again. The changes to the regs about categories were due to come in in 2020 or 21 but Covid gladly slowed them and there doesn't seem to be any talk about them actually coming in as they where way to complex for even the most techy person to understand. - Just checked and they are coming in Jan 2023!

Drones | Civil Aviation Authority

Information about all aspects of remotely piloted aviation and drones

www.caa.co.uk

It's all complex but I believe that even after Jan 2023 as long as the drone is under 250gms or C0 or C1 then you can fly over property and people as long as 'they are under your control'.

 

[Pjj]

I believe that changed a couple of years ago!
You used to have to be CAA certified to operate any 'drone' on a commercial basis. That changed a while ago. Now if under 250gms you don't even need to register to fly as long as a few conditions are met, such as only flying over property and people you have permission to do so etc. If over 250gms and under about 2.5kg (I think) then you just need to register and have your pilot number on the drone, the registration is online and you have a multi choice test to do and pay about £16 for 2 years I think.
I must admit I am not up on the latest changes re categories of drones depending on mass and max velocity etc as I only fly sub 250gms quads that have less restrictions especially as home built ones come under different regs again. The changes to the regs about categories were due to come in in 2020 or 21 but Covid gladly slowed them and there doesn't seem to be any talk about them actually coming in as they where way to complex for even the most techy person to understand. - Just checked and they are coming in Jan 2023!

Drones | Civil Aviation Authority

Information about all aspects of remotely piloted aviation and drones

www.caa.co.uk

It's all complex but I believe that even after Jan 2023 as long as the drone is under 250gms or C0 or C1 then you can fly over property and people as long as 'they are under your control'.

ok maybe things have changed then ?., but you aren’t allowed to fly then within a 2:5 mile radius of an airport or military base so we cannot have one ????
lol I have just read that link you have put up you need a degree to understand all that red tape ?????
A friend of mine in Bath is into drones he builds his own and does commercial filming with them that some TV companies have commissioned him to do stuff for them he’s licensed and been doing it since drones came out some of his clips are very good

 

[ched999uk]

Yep flying near airfields, military sites nuclear sites and prisons are big no no's.
I have been flying fpv quads (first person view - live view from quad to goggles) for about 6 years but switched from 5" (prop size) to 3" as I could stay sub 250gms and didn't need to register. The ones I fly are not designed to hover but fly as fast as possible through obstacles and do acrobatic tricks 0-100mph in about 1.5 seconds. So no good as a camera platform .
As for using something like a dji mini, while it might be good the amount of agro setting up and calibrating compass etc it's just so much quicker to stick a go pro on a pole. That said buying a dji mini for 'business use' might be good fun?.

 

[P4dstar]

Tanks cracking nuts comes to mind. Buy a GoPro. Buy this connections from Gardiners….

Quick-LoQ Action Camera Mount

Connects to any male Quick-LoQ fitting Allows for any Action Camera to be mounted securely to our pole systems Compatible with GoPro and other Action Camera brands Comes complete with moulded in locking nut - compatible with most camera fixing bolts Please note: Does not come with camera fixing...

gardinerpolesystems.co.uk

If you so wish also buy a shockproof case. Voila, you have a much more stable system.

If you’re actually buying the drone for fun at weekends and want to call it a tax expense then do it, say it didn’t work, then buy the above to resolve the actual problems…. Just to confirm this is actually satirical advice, I do not endorse tax avoidance ?

 

[Dave B]

Get a mavick mini
249g
Need flyer id visible on it in case of crash
Fly over any building that isn’t restricted on drone assist
Prisons and airports are a no though
Can’t fly over gatherings of over a thousand people

 

[ched999uk]

Get a mavick mini
249g
Need flyer id visible on it in case of crash
Fly over any building that isn’t restricted on drone assist
Prisons and airports are a no though
Can’t fly over gatherings of over a thousand people

Just checked as I'm a bit out of date.

If the drone has a camera then you need an Operators ID at £10 a year. Getting what you need to fly | UK Civil Aviation Authority

It's a stupid minefield! That's over complicated unnecessarily!

 

[THL4KEL]

Best cameras for gutters/roof surveys - 360 cams.

 

[Dave B]

Just checked as I'm a bit out of date.

If the drone has a camera then you need an Operators ID at £10 a year. Getting what you need to fly | UK Civil Aviation Authority

It's a stupid minefield! That's over complicated unnecessarily!

My mistake it’s operator id For sub 250g
My mini 2 is in this category and I have it on it in vinyl so I can be traced in case it comes down somewhere
I do gutter inspections with gutter poles as have a waterproof GoPro mount fixed on the bend

 

[johnny bravo]

cam video fixed onto your pole . might look exciting uusing a drone . you will prob trip over walking around house and end up bashing yourself .

 

[Yogi1872]

It takes about 30 seconds to check with a ladder, I have around 70 regular gutters each year in the autumn, sometimes more sometimes a bit less. I give them a quick check closer to the time to see if there needing done or not. If anyone phones me about a gutter I usually say il have a look when there doing the windows. If I don't do there windows il tell them I can check them when I'm close to them cleaning windows, if they say they want it checked sooner I make them aware that they will be charged regardless if there empty or full then. Most are happy to wait a week or 2 though as I won't charge them if nothings in it if its not making me go out of my way.

 

[THL4KEL]

Might take 30 seconds to check them using a ladder still takes time taking ladder of van and putting it back, strapping them down ect. Camera on a pole is faster.

 

[Yogi1872]

Might take 30 seconds to check them using a ladder still takes time taking ladder of van and putting it back, strapping them down ect. Camera on a pole is faster.

Strapping them down ? My roof rack is made on a way that no straps or any ladder clamps are needed. It takes literally 2 seconds to put on and off.

 

[Yogi1872]

This is the roof rack I've always used, no clamps etc are needed. The clamps etc are a pain, these roof racks are £500, probably be more now as that was around 5 years ago. The ladders sit on either side with the gap between the 2 sections holding it all in place. There's a roller at the back to slide them up and down. When people have posted pics of vans there selling etc the thing I did notice is that they all use clamps etc instead of using these roof racks. It's to time consuming doing it that way

 

[Redditch windy]

so ive now got a mini2 and used it to good effect to check gutters, ones you got no chance of getting anywhere near with ladders

 

[kevinc250]

i have been wanting to try one of these for years but, before i go all out and buy the biggest best thing going (its a male thing) is there a model out there to learn on and not be too bothered if it crashes?.

 

[ched999uk]

i have been wanting to try one of these for years but, before i go all out and buy the biggest best thing going (its a male thing) is there a model out there to learn on and not be too bothered if it crashes?.

Look at the DJI ones as they are most stable and easiest to fly. One thing to remember is you will need to register, pay a fee, and take a simple online test to be able to fly any with a camera otherwise you are breaking the law! - It's a stupid law but that's the way it goes.
Details here: Overview : Flying drones and model aircraft | UK Civil Aviation Authority
A DJI mini would do a good job but remember to always get a gps lock before takeoff and watch wind speed as they can't cope with high winds!

 

[AllGleam]

Tanks cracking nuts comes to mind. Buy a GoPro. Buy this connections from Gardiners….

Quick-LoQ Action Camera Mount

Connects to any male Quick-LoQ fitting Allows for any Action Camera to be mounted securely to our pole systems Compatible with GoPro and other Action Camera brands Comes complete with moulded in locking nut - compatible with most camera fixing bolts Please note: Does not come with camera fixing...

gardinerpolesystems.co.uk

If you so wish also buy a shockproof case. Voila, you have a much more stable system.

If you’re actually buying the drone for fun at weekends and want to call it a tax expense then do it, say it didn’t work, then buy the above to resolve the actual problems…. Just to confirm this is actually satirical advice, I do not endorse tax avoidance ?

Agree Gopro mount and see what dealing with in gutters i use it with my kiam poles works a treat only issue i get is sometimes after a.period of use the inside warerproof casing mists up and fog the lens

 

[Dave B]

Look at the DJI ones as they are most stable and easiest to fly. One thing to remember is you will need to register, pay a fee, and take a simple online test to be able to fly any with a camera otherwise you are breaking the law! - It's a stupid law but that's the way it goes.
Details here: Overview : Flying drones and model aircraft | UK Civil Aviation Authority
A DJI mini would do a good job but remember to always get a gps lock before takeoff and watch wind speed as they can't cope with high winds!

Anyone can use u sub 250g with a camera with no flyer Id as long as the owner has an operator id not the guy using it
Must be on the drone also

 

[Part Timer]

Anyone can use u sub 250g with a camera with no flyer Id as long as the owner has an operator id not the guy using it
Must be on the drone also

I thought you needed a licence if being used for commercial reasons