Just to clarify the rules on aerial photography from a plane or helicopter in the UK.
If the photos are for personal use then the rules are reasonably relaxed. The pilot can hold a Private Pilots Licence and the aircraft can be almost anything that flies.
As soon as you get into commercial photography the rules change completely. Now commercial photography is anything where you get a reward for taking the photos. (could even be a pint in the local pub).
The rules for commercial photography:
1 - The aircraft must be a plane or helicopter (no microlight, paraglider etc)
2 - The pilot must have a Commercial Pilots Licence
3 - The aircraft owner must have an Air Operators Certificate (unless the photographer owns the aircraft or the photographer is employed directly by the aircraft owner).
If the photos are for personal use then the rules are reasonably relaxed. The pilot can hold a Private Pilots Licence and the aircraft can be almost anything that flies.
As soon as you get into commercial photography the rules change completely. Now commercial photography is anything where you get a reward for taking the photos. (could even be a pint in the local pub).
The rules for commercial photography:
1 - The aircraft must be a plane or helicopter (no microlight, paraglider etc)
2 - The pilot must have a Commercial Pilots Licence
3 - The aircraft owner must have an Air Operators Certificate (unless the photographer owns the aircraft or the photographer is employed directly by the aircraft owner).
