Drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), have direct applications to landscape practice. Operating between human scales of landscape observation and low-flying light aircraft – usually between 10-120m – drones offer new survey possibilities by providing near-range visual information, among other sensory data sets. They can grant new perspectives on spatial layout and landscape conditions, and with almost immediate data capture, can be a powerful, cost-efficient new site design tool.

This technical information note aims to help landscape professionals understand the use of UAVs and systems and procurement of UAV services and pilots. It particularly covers drone operations and uses for deployment in UK air-space. Although some detail is included for cautionary purposes, this note is not to be taken as guidance; effort has only been made to ensure its accuracy at the time of publication