Safety & Compliance
Flying Safely, Flying Legally.
Every Stratus Intelligence operation is planned, executed, and documented to the highest regulatory standard. Safety is not a checkbox — it is the foundation of everything we do.
Regulatory Framework
We operate under the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) regulatory framework for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). All our pilots hold the required qualifications for commercial operations and we maintain full compliance with the Air Navigation Order (ANO) and associated CAA guidance.
Certified Pilots
Our pilots hold GVC, A1/A3, A2 CofC, and RPC-L1/2 qualifications.
CAA Flyer ID & Operator ID
We hold current CAA Flyer IDs and Operator IDs for all aircraft in our fleet, renewed annually in line with CAA requirements.
Public Liability Insurance
We carry comprehensive public liability insurance covering commercial drone operations, providing protection for clients, third parties, and property on every mission.
Operational Authorisations
Where operations require it — such as flights near congested areas or within controlled airspace — we obtain the necessary CAA Operational Authorisations prior to flight.
Pre-Flight Planning & Risk Assessment
No flight takes place without a thorough pre-flight planning process. Our standard operating procedure includes a documented risk assessment for every mission, regardless of scale.
01
Site Survey & Airspace Check
We assess the operational area using mapping tools and check airspace classifications, NOTAMs, and any temporary restrictions via NATS and the CAA's drone safety app.
02
Risk Assessment
A written risk assessment is completed for every operation, identifying hazards, affected parties, and mitigations. This document is retained as part of our operational records.
03
Emergency Procedures
Emergency contingency plans are defined before every flight — including lost link procedures, emergency landing zones, and communication protocols with the client on site.
04
Equipment Checks
All aircraft undergo a pre-flight inspection covering battery health, propeller condition, firmware status, and sensor calibration. No aircraft flies with a known defect.
In the Field
Operational Standards
Our operational standards govern pilot conduct, aircraft handling, and site behaviour on every mission. These rules are non-negotiable and apply regardless of client, location, or time pressure.
- Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) maintained at all times unless specifically authorised
- Maximum altitude limits observed in accordance with airspace class
- Minimum separation distances from people, vehicles, and structures maintained
- No flight in adverse weather conditions — wind, rain, or poor visibility
- Alcohol and drug-free operations — zero tolerance policy
- Flight logs maintained for every operation
- Incident and near-miss reporting in line with CAA guidance
- Data protection and GDPR compliance for all imagery captured
Data Privacy & GDPR
Aerial imagery can capture identifiable individuals and private property. We take our obligations under UK GDPR seriously and operate in accordance with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) guidance for drone operators. All data is handled securely, stored only for the duration required, and never shared with third parties without explicit consent.
Questions About Our Compliance?
We are happy to share documentation, certificates, or insurance details ahead of any engagement. Just ask.
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