Terrestrial Reconnaissance Ltd
Aerial acquired data solutions
Standards & Qualifications
Terrestrial Reconnaissance Ltd (Terra Recon) aspires to exceed the minimum operational qualifications under which we operate as a company. The safety of the public, the client's staff and assets are paramount. The foundations of our safety operating systems are a high level of remote pilot competence and an effective Risk Management System.
Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service (DMARES)
Terra Recon Ltd is registered as a drone operating organisation under the UK CAA's Drone and Model Aircraft Registration and Education Service (DMARES).
Each of our remote pilots is registered individually and have a unique DMARES Flyer ID.
UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
Within the UK a drone operator must have the permission of the CAA to carry out Commercial Operations; this operational authorisation is commonly known as a Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO). This Standard permission enables Terra Recon to conduct commercial operations with a small unmanned aircraft (drone) and also permits operations within a congested area.
Each commercial drone operator who has been granted CAA permission will have documentary evidence that setts out conditions for its use.
You can validate the PfCO online with the CAA.
At the core of the PfCO is the Flight Operations Manual which sets out safety, training, and nominated personnel through to aircraft systems and Incident Reporting. Flight Planning, Procedures & Emergencies are also covered along with all the necessary documentation needed for commercial Operations. Information about the types of operations we undertake, the aircraft which will be allocated and the pilots we use are also included.
Dronesafe Register™
The Drone Safe Register™ is a Recognised Professional Directory of members that offer services for aerial and ground video, film, photography and Drone Operators.
Search, locate and hire a validated, fully licensed, qualified and insured professional Drone pilot or business using our comprehensive UK / ROI database.
Terra Recon is a registered professional member no 1117.
European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA)
Sometime after November 2020 the CAA PfCO system of permissions will align with European Aviation Safety Authority (EASA) General Visual Certificate (GVC) as described in CAP722.
The General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC) is a remote pilot competency certificate that provides a single qualification that is suitable for most Visual Line of Sight (VLOS) operations within the Specific Category. The GVC will be acceptable for all VLOS operations conducted under what will be published as an STS (Standard Scenario - an EASA concept) or PDRA Pre-Defined Risk Assessment (PDRA) - to be introduced in a new CAP 722) and will be considered to be an acceptable level of remote pilot competency within an operational risk assessment for any other VLOS operation.
The GVC is the pathway to "bolt-on" permissions for Extended Visual Line of Sight (EVLOS) and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).
Operations Safety Case (OSC)
For flight operations that fall outside of the "standard permission," it is necessary to submit an Operations Safety Case (OSC) to the CAA. This typically covers all other types of flight and addresses operations that contain a greater element of operating risk. The OSC process is detailed in CAP 722A .
Terra Recon management personnel are trained in the design, development, and submission of OCSs and are therefore able to respond to ad-hoc requests from clients for unusual tasks.
Insurance
Insurance for commercial operations is mandatory in the UK as directed by Commercial drone insurance in the UK must be compliant with (EC) 785/2004, including cover for acts of war, terrorism, hijacking, acts of sabotage, unlawful seizure of aircraft and civil commotion. Please note that not all drone public liability insurance includes this.
Terra Recon maintains comprehensive insurance that is compliant with the appropriate laws and provides public liability cover of GBP5 million.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS)
Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) cardholders provide evidence that individuals working on construction sites have the appropriate training and qualifications for the job they do on-site. By ensuring the workforce is appropriately qualified the card plays its part in improving standards and safety on UK construction sites.
Holding a CSCS card is not a legal requirement but it demonstrates to the client that remote pilots and ground crew have an appropriate level of our knowledge of Health and Safety on worksites.