DRONES IN CONGESTED AREAS
Drone Congested Areas Operations
CloudVisual has demonstrated to the Civil Aviation Authority, through evidence-based safety procedures and an unrivalled safety record, that the team is safe to fly drones at reduced distances from the uninvolved public.
Through our CAA-approved operating permissions and robust on-site safety controls, we can carry out flights in built-up and congested areas where standard permissions are often too restrictive.
We can fly drones weighing 900g to 4kg to within just 5 metres of uninvolved people, as well as buildings. Our sub-900g drone fleet can also overfly uninvolved people when the operation allows.
Flying In Congested Areas
Under standard permissions used by most commercial drone companies, separation distances to uninvolved people and buildings are typically large enough to rule out flying in many built-up locations.
CloudVisual operates under CAA-approved permissions and evidence-led safety procedures that allow reduced separation distances. In practice, we can fly drones weighing 900g to 4kg to within 5 metres of uninvolved people and structures, enabling compliant operations across London and other cities.
Flying Where Others Legally Can't
London & Cities
London is one of the most difficult and restrictive areas to fly a drone. For most operators, the standard permissions and separation distances make flights in congested locations impractical or impossible.
CloudVisual holds CAA-approved permissions that allow reduced separation distances in built-up areas, supported by structured planning and safety controls. This enables us to work in some of the busiest parts of London legally, with clear mitigations in place.
24/7 Congested Operations
Events
Restrictions apply to how close a drone can fly to an open air event, and in many cases these separation distances mean you end up far from the action.
With the right operating permissions and robust safety management on the day, CloudVisual can work significantly closer than standard operations allow, helping capture more impactful footage while remaining compliant.
Important: while we can operate close to people in many environments, we do not overfly uninvolved crowds.
Structures
In dense urban settings, standard separation distances and notification requirements can make close-proximity inspection and filming difficult to achieve.
With CAA-approved permissions and careful controls on-site, CloudVisual can fly drones weighing 900g to 4kg to within 5 metres of uninvolved people and structures, allowing work to be completed efficiently and safely in restrictive locations.
FAQs
- Can you fly in congested areas in the UK?
- Yes, but it depends on the operator, the aircraft weight, and the permissions in place. CloudVisual operates under CAA-approved permissions and follows strict planning and safety procedures for built-up environments.
- How close can you fly to uninvolved people?
- We can fly drones weighing 900g to 4kg to within 5 metres of uninvolved people, with the appropriate safety controls in place. Our sub-900g drone fleet can also overfly uninvolved people when the operation allows.
- Can you overfly crowds?
- No. We can’t overfly uninvolved crowds. Where people are present, we plan to avoid overflight of groups and manage the area with clear safety controls.
- Does flying in London cost extra?
- Standard drone flights are the same price, but some complex or unique projects may require extra time for permits, planning, and approvals.
- Can you fly near airports?
- Flights near airports are possible, but they always require detailed planning and the correct permissions. We’ll assess the airspace and coordinate the process as required.