Meet The Member - Harvey of Greenwood Drones
Greenwood Drons
We caught up with our member Harvey of Greenwood Drones to talk all about the wide range of aerial services that he offers.
Hi Harvey, nice chatting to you today. You cover all aspects of aerial services from photography to surveying. Tell us more...
Hello, lovely to chat today! Greenwood Drones is a Bedfordshire based business providing both domestic and commercial clients with a wide range of aerial services including stunning photography and cinematography for both personal and promotional purposes, site and property inspections and construction mapping and surveying.
Our passion and love for what we do means we pride ourselves on our high-quality results with each project, inspection and event being personal to us. As a result, we go above and beyond to provide exceptional footage, photography and surveys to ensure that every client’s needs are met to the highest standard. Whatever the request, no matter how big or small, Greenwood Drones will be able to provide a superior service at affordable prices.
What kind of clients would utilise your services?
We serve a wide client base. We offer photography and cinematography services to domestic clients for parties, weddings, social gatherings etc as well as for personal use if they wish to photograph/film something like a property. We also cater to film makers with state-of-the-art cinematography drones.
Property developers, real estate clients, landscapers and architects like to utilise our services to capture recent projects and builds for promotional content. We also offer services in surveying, inspections and mapping which have been used by roofers, landlords, builders and more to survey buildings for health and safety reasons, to find damage or sources of leaks as well as capture completed work. They find our surveying and inspections using drones more cost effective and time efficient.
Solar panel installers, architect and more use our 3D mapping service to get accurate measurements or area, length and volume to plan and design their projects
How long has Greenwood Drones been in operation and where do you cover?
I gained my licence of commercial operations with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in 2021 after completing my A-Levels at Harlington Upper school. I worked with drones as a weekend job however I went full time in the summer of 2023 and the business has continued to grow from there.
What restrictions do you have to abide by?
Strict rules and regulations set by the CAA as well as the airspace regulations set by NATs (Air Traffic Control) and local airports. These must be abided by to upkeep our high safety standards and ensure that we follow regulations to maintain safe practice.
How do you ensure your keep your standards high?
Constantly learning and evolving, training, and ensuring we keep up to date on the latest technology. We also remain in 24/7 contact with the client throughout the work to ensure they’re happy.
What are common misconceptions about drones?
The public think they’re invasive or spying. We are performing work which is safer, quicker and more cost effective than conventional methods. The drone may be in the air however it is focusing on its intended target and won’t photograph/film anything that would be invasive. We also keep to a high standard of health and safety with the public’s safety always a top priority. Wherever we fly we have the correct permission and permits to do so and wouldn’t without those.
How did you develop your expertise in the field of drones?
Every day is a learning day. Understanding the different aircraft, their roles within the fleet and what they’re capable of allows me to become knowledgeable and efficient and know, whatever is required, I can fulfil that request.
What do you love most about what you do?
Every day is different. I get to travel the country, meet great people and create stunning content and work on exciting projects ranging from social events to property photography to landscape work and construction.
What has been the most ambitious project you’ve handled?
Travelling up to Perth, Scotland which was 7hr 30 mins each way was quite a journey but working with Nature Scotland to locate Beaver Burrows with a £175,000 Drone carrying a radar was quite an experience. It is projects like that which take me across the country which make my job so exciting.
When you’re not busy with the company, where do you enjoy going, for a bit of down-time in Harpenden?
I enjoy walking, theatre and travelling and on a night out in Harpenden I often enjoy the Harpenden Arms or The George however, when I meet my friend for lunch, I often enjoy the Silver Palate Deli.