Conducting Surveillance Flights

Through trial and error, SLSQ has developed some guidelines for conducting surveillance flights to strike a balance between being low enough for clarity, but high enough to maximise field of view.

• The UAV should take off and hover approximately 3m above ground level where controls and systems checks can be made prior to the first flight
• Flight path not over people/crowds (must be a minimum of 30m horizontal separation)
• When taking off, avoid climbing straight to maximum height. Take off to 10m and gradually climb as you move away from the beach
• Fly behind the surf zone/swimmers looking back in towards the beach
• While conducting flight, maintain a minimum height of 20m over water. Drones are susceptible to miscalculating height over water due to glare
• Record video footage of all flights. The recording should only begin when the UAV is clear of the beach. This helps to ensure privacy for the public by not recording where people are most likely to be identifiable
• Observe maximum/ceiling heights. DJI Mavic 3 series should be flown at 60m. DJI Mini series, regardless of whether near a controlled airport, should be flown at 40m
• Camera angle at 45 to 50 degrees – sun behind the camera to reduce reflection and glare. This may mean the drone may need to be flown backwards and sideways to keep the sun behind
• Ensure all tasking/flights that the outcome is possible with your level of training
• Ensure all flights are conducted within the limitations of these SOPs
• When preparing to land, begin to reduce height as you approach the beach. Avoid flying high over the beach
• Ensure all flights are in a steady and controlled manner. Drones become noisy when being flown erratically, particularly taking off and landing as this is when you are most likely to be close to the public. Smooth flight is relatively quiet
• Ensure Surfcom has been informed of commencement and end of flights. Operators must remain on radio communication at all times so they can be tasked by Surfcom or the Patrol Captain