Somerset businesses are being helped to reach new heights thanks to a Somerset Council-backed drone skills initiative.
From understanding the rules and regulations to hands-on flying experience, the ten-week Skills Bootcamp in Drone Use gave attendees the skills and experience needed to help their businesses adopt the latest drone technology.
Open to businesses across the county and funded as part of the Local Growth Deal secured by Somerset Council, the free training was delivered by Yeovil College in partnership with iProSurv, a leading UK drone technology specialist, and the UK Drone Association.
Droning is a growing and valuable sector with applications in fields such as construction, housing, agriculture, media and public services. The Skills Bootcamp in Drone was designed to give participants the skills and confidence needed to capitalise on more efficient, safer and more sustainable drone-based approaches to inspections and surveying.
As part of the programme, attendees also completed the Civil Aviation Authority’s Flyer ID theory test, allowing them to legally and safely operate drones in line with UK aviation regulations.
Among the attendees was Mark Robinson, Business Development Manager at Jones Building Group which operates across the South West from its headquarters in Yeovil.
The property maintenance company requires detailed surveying for work such as roof repairs and exterior decorating. Where inspections would previously have needed expensive scaffolding and visits from multiple teams, droning will now take the lead.
Droning gets over all the access issues, said Mark. The video and data from a five or ten-minute flight can be shared with all the teams and tell them everything they need to know. It saves time, money and reduces our carbon footprint as well as safety as we don’t have to put people on roofs.
The course introduced an array of software for capturing and manipulating data collected via drone footage, for example taking accurate measurements, 3D modelling and thermal imaging that can help target energy efficiency improvements.
Mark said:
As a business we hadn’t fully appreciated the range of tasks and incredible results that were achievable. If I hadn’t joined this training, drone flying would have just continued to be a fun hobby. Now it’s part of the business.
Hosted at Yeovil College and the Council’s iAero Innovation Centre in Yeovil, the course was open to businesses across the county and is part of Somerset Council’s work to help Somerset and the South West build on its established aerospace sector by embracing new technologies.
The Council has used drones for surveying social housing association stock, County Hall, the County Museum and Blackbrook Leisure Centre. It has also been working with the University of Plymouth on the use of drones with satellite applications to support the monitoring of environmentally sensitive farming and land management.
Councillor Mike Rigby, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Economic Development, Planning and Assets, said:
Somerset has a long history of innovation in this sector and that puts us in a strong position to be at the forefront of its future.
The Council has an important role to play in making sure Somerset continues to be a world-leader which is why we have been part of initiatives like this and a key player in the Future Flight Innovation Zone.
Somerset Council manages the UK Future Flight Innovation Zone (FFIZ) on behalf of partner organisations in Somerset and Devon, including Leonardo and the Met Office, which come together as the Sustainable Aviation Board.
FFIZ is helping the South West lead the development of new sustainable aviation technologies, including hybrid, electric and hydrogen-powered flight. It supports collaboration and aims to help Somerset and the South West play a major role in securing the long-term sustainable future and decarbonisation of the British aviation industry.
