If you allow a drone operator onto an industrial site or construction site, you share responsibility for what happens. In an HSE audit you must be able to show that the operator was certified, insured and prepared. The difference between someone who owns a drone and a professional operator shows in the documents. These five questions are enough.
1. What is your operator ID?
Every operator flying a drone with a camera must be registered with the Belgian Civil Aviation Authority (BCAA). They receive an operator ID, which is displayed on every aircraft. Ask for the number and check that it is visible on the drone.
2. Which certificates does the pilot hold, and in which category will you fly here?
- A1/A3: the basic certificate. Sufficient for flights at a distance from uninvolved persons.
- A2: required for flights with heavier drones closer to people, within the Open category.
- Specific category: for flights outside those conditions, for example in a town centre or close to uninvolved persons. This requires a declaration based on a standard scenario (STS) or an operational authorisation based on a SORA risk assessment.
Ask which category applies to your site and why. A good answer refers to the surroundings, not just to the aircraft.
3. Can I see the risk assessment and the flight plan?
A professional operator carries out a risk assessment for every flight and provides a Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS) or an equivalent document before the flight: operational area, height, emergency procedures, how the take-off zone is cordoned off. Ask for that document before the pilot enters your site.
4. What insurance do you hold?
An ordinary business policy usually does not cover drone operations. A professional operator holds aviation third-party liability insurance in accordance with EU Regulation 785/2004. Ask for the certificate and check that the insured amount matches the risk on your site.
5. How do you handle images and flight data?
Ask where the images are stored, for how long, who has access to them and whether the flight log is available. In the event of an incident or an audit, you want to be able to show what was flown, when and where.
What HOVVR provides
Operator ID BELc1t7ql1xl7t4p. EASA A1, A2 and A3 certificates. An operational authorisation in the Specific category based on SORA. Aviation third-party liability insurance in accordance with EU Regulation 785/2004. A risk assessment and a logged flight record for every flight. Image and project data are kept for 90 days after delivery, unless agreed otherwise. We provide all documents on request, before the flight.
Related service: Roof & Façade