KaarbonTech has become the first company to receive a special permission from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle within London airspace.

The first flight, commissioned by The GeoInformation Group, took place over Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the home of the London 2012 Games.

Flight plans, prepared by qualified pilots, were approved in advance by both the CAA and London City Airport. London City Airport controls the airspace around the Olympic Park.

KaarbonTech selected the SenseFly eBee aircraft to carry out the survey. The eBee is proven for ability and speed and carries a high resolution camera (16Mp) which can capture a photo every 3-4 seconds and means that approximately 1sq km can be captured per flight.

The aircraft was airborne on three occasions, each for a maximum of 45 minutes, and during that time captured high quality imagery of both the velodrome and outdoor cycling zone along with the hockey centre.

The high resolution imagery collected during the flights was subsequently processed and delivered to the client along with a highly accurate Digital Surface Model made from millions of point measurements compiled from on-board sensors. This data material will be used in both managing the facility and in marketing material.

Mark Entwistle, Managing Director of KaarbonTech, said:

“It was a privilege for KaarbonTech to survey a site as iconic as the London Olympic venue and to have our flight plans approved by both the Civil Aviation Authority and London City Airport. Our pilots are highly qualified and utterly professional in their approach to safety and preparation.”

Aerial surveying used Unmanned Aerial Vehicles piloted by experienced professionals is an option increasingly being used by major leisure and public access venues.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) implements a strict permissions system before allowing companies to operate in the UK. All pilots must pass flight tests to CAA standards and companies must have an approved operating manual showing how they complete surveys safely. In June 2013 KaarbonTech became the first company in the UK with qualified pilots and an approved operating system.

KaarbonTech provide unmanned aerial surveying across the UK to a range of clients using the SenseFly eBee and SenseFly Swinglet. They offer in house data processing and produce topographical maps, digital elevation models, volumetric measurements and orthomosaics to meet client’s requirements.

Clients include the Womad Festival, National Trust, Burghley House and Lee Valley Country Park (host to the London 2012 white water sport events).