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DronesafeUpdatedProfile date: 2026-06-14 Drone Safe Register (Dronesafe)
Company Overview
Drone Safe Register (commonly referred to as Dronesafe or DSR) is the United Kingdom's leading network for professional, licensed, and insured drone operators. Founded in 2015 by Mark Boyt and headquartered in Chichester, West Sussex, the company was established to address a critical safety and regulatory gap in the rapidly expanding commercial drone industry.
At the time of its founding, the UK market saw a surge in illegal, uninsured drone operators offering commercial aerial services without the necessary Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) permissions. Drone Safe Register was created to provide a centralized, verified directory where businesses and the public could easily find and hire legal drone pilots.
Continue…In 2018, the company gained national prominence after appearing on the BBC business television show Dragons' Den. Founder Mark Boyt successfully secured a £60,000 investment from prominent entrepreneur Peter Jones in exchange for a share of the company. This investment and high-profile backing accelerated DSR's growth, enabling the brand to expand into drone retail, training, and specialized corporate services.
Core Products and Services
Drone Safe Register operates as a multi-faceted organization servicing recreational hobbyists, professional remote pilots, and corporate enterprise clients. Its core business units are divided into several key areas:
1. The Professional Pilot Directory and Booking Platform
The foundation of Drone Safe Register is its map-based online directory. This platform connects commercial drone operators with clients requiring aerial work.
- For Clients (Businesses and Consumers): The directory offers a free, easy-to-use search tool. Clients can input their location and the type of service required (e.g., roof inspection, wedding photography, land mapping) to view a list of qualified local operators. DSR also operates a centralized "Request a Quote" system, allowing clients to submit job specifications and receive competitive quotes from vetted, local pilots.
- For Drone Operators (Members): DSR operates a paid membership subscription model. Certified pilots can join the network to receive direct job leads, showcase their portfolios, and leverage the platform's national marketing reach. DSR offers multiple membership tiers (such as Standard and Professional) which grant pilots access to exclusive industry discounts, safety briefings, ID badges, and lead-generation tools.
2. Drone Safe Store (E-Commerce and Retail)
Following its expansion, the company launched the Drone Safe Store, which has grown into one of the UK’s highest-rated independent drone retailers and an official DJI Gold Partner. Operating both online and from a physical showroom in Chichester, the store supplies equipment to hobbyists, commercial operators, and public sector organizations.
- Consumer Drones: Retail of lightweight hobbyist and prosumer aircraft, including the DJI Mini, Air, and Mavic series.
- Enterprise and Industrial UAVs: Supply of high-end commercial platforms such as the DJI Matrice series (M350 RTK, M30T) and Mavic 3 Enterprise series. These platforms are used for thermal imaging, search and rescue, structural inspections, and precision agriculture.
- Agricultural Drones: Distribution of heavy-lift agricultural spraying and spreading UAVs, such as the DJI Agras series.
- Accessories and Payloads: Sale of specialized payloads (multispectral cameras, LiDAR sensors, thermal optics), batteries, charging hubs, transport cases, and safety equipment.
- Technical Support: Handover services, firmware updates, pre-flight setup assistance, and lifetime telephone support for customers purchasing enterprise-grade equipment.
3. Drone Safe Academy (Training and Education)
To ensure safety and regulatory compliance across the industry, Dronesafe provides training programs designed to help pilots obtain legal certifications required by the CAA.
- A2 Certificate of Competency (A2 CofC): Training and examination allowing pilots to operate "unmanned aircraft" in the Open Category close to uninvolved people.
- General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC): The standard qualification required to apply for an Operational Authorisation from the CAA, enabling commercial operations with larger aircraft or within congested areas.
- Practical Flight Training: One-on-one practical flight training sessions led by experienced instructors to help novice pilots build confidence, master flight maneuvers, and understand emergency procedures.
- Specialist Masterclasses: Advanced courses focusing on specific commercial verticals, such as thermal imaging analysis, 3D photogrammetry, and real estate cinematography.
4. Enterprise Drone Services
For corporate and industrial clients with nationwide or complex project requirements, Drone Safe Register manages contracts centrally. Instead of the client managing multiple individual operators, DSR coordinates projects utilizing its vetted network of pilots.
- Building and Roof Inspections: High-resolution visual and thermal imaging of commercial properties, historical structures, and residential roofs, eliminating the need for expensive scaffolding or cherry pickers.
- Topographical Mapping and Land Surveys: Deploying RTK-enabled drones to capture high-density point clouds, orthomosaic maps, and 3D digital elevation models for construction, mining, and civil engineering.
- Infrastructure Inspections: Aerial monitoring of wind turbines, solar farms, cell towers, and transport infrastructure.
- Creative Media Production: Providing specialized aerial camera operators for television, feature films, commercial advertisements, and high-end real estate marketing.
Safety, Compliance, and Vetting Standards
The primary value proposition of Drone Safe Register is its commitment to safety and legality. The company maintains strict vetting standards to ensure that every pilot listed on its directory operates legally within the UK aviation framework. To be listed as a professional member, pilots must provide verifiable evidence of:
- CAA Operational Authorisation / Certification: Proof of a valid GVC, A2 CofC, or legacy PfCO (Permission for Commercial Operations) issued by the Civil Aviation Authority.
- Commercial Insurance: A valid commercial drone insurance policy compliant with EC Regulation 785/2004, covering public liability for aviation activities.
- Safety Codes of Practice: Agreement to adhere to the Drone Safe Register code of conduct, which emphasizes safe flying practices, respecting privacy laws, and maintaining public safety.
By enforcing these standards, Drone Safe Register protects commercial clients from potential legal liabilities, fines, and safety incidents associated with hiring illegal operators.
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