FAQ — Stratus Intelligence

Question 1

Do you need permission to fly a drone commercially in the UK?

Accepted Answer

Yes. All commercial drone operations in the UK are regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Operators must hold a valid CAA Operator ID, and pilots must hold a Flyer ID as a minimum. For higher-risk operations — such as flights near people, infrastructure, or in controlled airspace — a GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate) and a formal Operational Safety Case (OSC) are required. Stratus Intelligence holds all necessary CAA permissions and qualifications for the work we undertake.

Question 2

Are you insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We carry full public liability insurance for all drone operations. Our policy covers commercial work across all the services we offer. Proof of insurance is available on request before any booking is confirmed.

Question 3

Can you fly anywhere in the UK?

Accepted Answer

We operate UK-wide, but not every location is immediately flyable. Some areas — such as controlled airspace around airports, Flight Restriction Zones (FRZs), and certain urban environments — require additional permissions or notifications before flight. We conduct a full airspace assessment for every project and will advise you if any restrictions apply to your site. In most cases, the necessary permissions can be obtained in advance.

Question 4

What happens if the weather is unsuitable on the day?

Accepted Answer

Safety is non-negotiable. If wind speeds, rain, or visibility fall outside safe operating parameters on the day of your booking, we will reschedule at no additional charge. We monitor forecasts closely in the days leading up to every operation and will contact you as early as possible if conditions look marginal.

Question 5

Do you carry out a risk assessment before every flight?

Accepted Answer

Yes, always. Every operation begins with a formal risk assessment covering airspace, site hazards, weather, equipment, and emergency procedures. For complex or high-risk sites, this process begins well in advance of the flight date. We are happy to share our risk assessment documentation on request.

Question 6

What services do you offer?

Accepted Answer

We offer a broad range of professional drone services including roof and building surveys, thermal imaging inspections, infrastructure inspection, surveying and mapping, aerial photography and videography, commercial development showcases, estate agent property showcases, environmental monitoring, film and media production, and our free Search & Locate service for missing persons and animals. Visit our Services page for full details on each.

Question 7

What format will my deliverables be in?

Accepted Answer

Deliverable formats depend on the service. Survey and mapping data is provided in industry-standard formats including GeoTIFF orthomosaics, LAS/LAZ point clouds, DXF/DWG CAD exports, and KML/Shapefile for GIS. Thermal reports include radiometric TIFF imagery and annotated defect logs. Photography and video is delivered as high-resolution edited files in formats agreed at booking. All deliverables are provided via secure download link.

Question 8

How quickly will I receive my deliverables?

Accepted Answer

Standard turnaround is 24–48 hours for photography and video, and 2–5 working days for survey and inspection reports depending on complexity. Same-day turnaround is available for photography on request. Turnaround times are confirmed at the point of booking.

Question 9

Can you provide a written inspection report?

Accepted Answer

Our written report details what we can visually see only. We will not offer any official diagnostics or reporting on inspections that fall out of our qualified areas. Fundamentally, we are a drone service that provides visuals for customers to use how they wish, whether that is for promotional material or to give to qualified surveyors.

Question 10

Do you offer thermal imaging as part of a survey?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Thermal imaging is available as part of our roof survey, building inspection, infrastructure inspection, and thermal imaging survey services. It is also the primary detection tool used in our Search & Locate operations. Thermal surveys are most effective at dawn or dusk when solar loading has equalised — we will advise on the optimal timing for your project.

Question 11

How do I get a quote?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way is to use our Contact page or call us directly. Tell us about your project — the type of service, location, site size, and any specific requirements — and we will provide a detailed quote, usually within one working day. There is no obligation to proceed.

Question 12

Are there any hidden costs?

Accepted Answer

No. The prices shown on our Pricing page are the prices you pay. Fuel costs may apply for journeys beyond 30 miles of Solihull, and any additional requirements agreed after booking (extra locations, additional editing, special permissions) will be quoted separately before any work is carried out.

Question 13

Do you require a deposit?

Accepted Answer

For most commercial bookings, a deposit is required to secure your date. The deposit amount and payment terms will be confirmed in your quote. The balance is due on delivery of your final deliverables unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Question 14

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations made more than 48 hours before the scheduled operation are refunded in full. Cancellations within 48 hours may be subject to a cancellation fee to cover mobilisation costs. Weather-related postponements are always rescheduled at no charge. Full terms are set out in our Terms of Service.

Question 15

Is the Search & Locate service really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our Search & Locate service for missing persons and missing animals is provided entirely free of charge as a goodwill service to the community. We do not charge for deployment, flight time, or any associated costs. In a genuine emergency involving a missing person, always dial 999 first.

Question 16

How quickly can you deploy for a search?

Accepted Answer

We aim to deploy as quickly as possible once we have the necessary information about the missing person or animal and have confirmed the search area is safe to fly. Response times depend on our current operational schedule and the distance to the search location. Contact us immediately via WhatsApp or phone for the fastest response.

Question 17

What areas do you cover for Search & Locate?

Accepted Answer

Our primary operational base covers the Midlands and North West England, but we will consider deployments further afield for genuine missing person situations. Contact us to discuss your specific location.

Question 18

Do you work alongside the police and emergency services?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We are experienced in working alongside police search teams, mountain rescue, and other emergency services. We operate within the parameters set by the lead agency and share all footage and findings with the relevant authorities in real time where appropriate.

Frequently Asked Questions.

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