GLOSSARY OF TERMS

 

A

  • Aerial Survey
    Using UAVs to generate high-accuracy georeferenced maps and models (2D/3D), construction drone surveys, LiDAR, 3D modelling, and topographic surveys, helping clients capture site data effectively.
  • Airspace Regulation
    Governed by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), including altitude limits (e.g. under 400 ft), operator and flyer IDs, and no-fly zones. Aerial Drone UK ensures full compliance with UK drone regulations for safe operation.

 

B

  • BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight)
    Drone operations beyond the pilot's line of sight, currently restricted in the UK unless special permissions are obtained. Relevant for advanced surveys and long-range monitoring.

 

C

  • CAP 393
    The Air Navigation Order (ANO) the UK’s statutory rules for aircraft operations, including drones. Defining legal requirements such as maximum altitude, minimum distances from people, and restricted areas.
  • CAP 722
    The CAA’s core guidance document titled “Unmanned Aircraft System Operations in UK Airspace”. It sets out policies, rules, and requirements for safe drone operations.
  • Crowd Monitoring & Security
    Aerial drone service to oversee large gatherings and ensure safety using real-time imaging and analysis.
  • CAA Flyer ID
    A personal ID issued by the CAA after passing the Drone and Model Aircraft Theory Test. Legal requirement for anyone flying drones over 250g.
  • CAA Operator ID
    A registration number assigned to a person or organisation responsible for drones over 250g or with cameras. The ID must be visibly displayed on all drones operated.

 

D

  • Drone Inspection Services
    Can include asset inspections like bridges, telecoms towers, power lines, solar PV systems, etc. Aerial Drone UK uses high-resolution cameras and thermal imaging to deliver precise diagnostics.
  • Digital Twin
    A precise, accurate 3D interactive clone of a physical asset (like a cell tower), accurate to about 20 mm, ideal for remote inspections.
  • Dangerous Goods Restrictions
    Drones must not be used to carry hazardous materials under CAA rules without special approval.

 

G

  • GNSS / RTK
    Satellite-based positioning systems used to georeference drone data with centimeter level precision. Aerial Drone UK uses RTK to ensure mapping and imaging accuracy.

 

I

  • Inspections (Structural & Asset)
    Drone-based inspections to check condition and performance of infrastructure, ranging from telecom structures to solar panels. Offering safer, faster assessments than manual methods.

 

L

  • LiDAR Surveying
    Light Detection and ranging used in surveying to collect accurate topological data and create detailed 3D models.
  • Landowner Permission
    Required under UK law, drone operators must obtain permission from landowners before launching or landing on private property.

 

M

  • Multispectral & Thermal Surveys
    Capturing data outside visible light using thermal or multispectral imaging, critical for detecting heat loss in surveys and assessing solar panel performance.

 

N

  • No-Fly Zones & Exclusion Zones
    Areas where drone operations are restricted, for example near airports, prisons, and sensitive infrastructure. Aerial Drone UK adheres to UK safety regulations.

 

O

  • Open Category (Drone Operations)
    The most common category of UK drone flying, with subcategories A1, A2, and A3, each defining restrictions based on drone weight and proximity to people.
  • Operational Authorisation (PDRA-01)
    Permission issued by the CAA that allows drone operators to work under the Specific Category with more flexibility than standard Open Category rules.
  • Orthomosaic Map
    Seamlessly stitched, corrected, and georeferenced aerial imagery forming one continuous high resolution map, often used in land surveying and asset inspections.

 

P

  • Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO)
    The former CAA certificate required to operate drones commercially in the UK, replaced in 2021 by the Operational Authorisation under the Specific Category.
  • Point Clouds
    3D sets of data points generated from drone surveys for accurate terrain and structure analysis. Used in mapping and modelling tasks.
  • Payload
    Additional equipment carried by the drone such as thermal cameras and LiDAR.

 

R

  • Return to Home (RTH)
    A fail-safe mechanism that automatically guides a drone back to its launch point,   especially useful if signal is lost or battery runs low.
  • Restricted Airspace
    Areas defined by the CAA (such as near airports or military bases) where flying is prohibited without explicit authorisation.
  • Remote Pilot
    The person in direct control of the drone during flight, legally responsible for ensuring safe operations in compliance with CAA rules.

 

S

  • Survey Types
    • Topographic Survey: Maps terrain elevation and contours.
    • Construction Drone Survey: Captures site dimensions, volumes, and structure data.
    • LiDAR Survey: Precise 3D terrain data via laser scanning.
    • 3D Modelling & 2D Mapping: Visualization of assets or locations from survey data.
  • Specific Category Operations
    A classification under CAA rules for higher-risk drone flights (for example close to people or BVLOS).

 

U

  • UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System)
    The technical term for drones used by the CAA, referring to the complete system (aircraft, controller, software, etc.).

 

V

  • VLOS (Visual Line of Sight)
    The standard requirement in UK drone operations where the pilot must keep the drone in sight at all times.