1. Purpose & scope
This Policy applies to all drone and aerial operations carried out by, or on behalf of, the HEADTURNED Foundation for filming, photography, mapping, or monitoring. It covers:
- aerial media created on Foundation-managed land;
- flights conducted for Sanctuary, conservation, or vertical farming projects;
- commissioned or volunteer-led flights under a HEADTURNED assignment; and
- data captured during flights, including imagery, video, and sensor readings.
It applies to staff, contractors, volunteers, and partner organisations operating drones or other remotely piloted aircraft on our behalf.
2. Legal compliance & pilot qualifications
All drone operations associated with the Foundation must comply with applicable aviation and privacy laws in the jurisdictions where flights take place. This includes, where required:
- appropriate pilot registration and competency certifications;
- registration and marking of aircraft where necessary;
- observance of altitude, distance, and airspace restrictions; and
- compliance with any site- or species-specific regulations or permits.
The Foundation may request proof of licences, insurance, and operating permissions before any drone activity begins.
3. Planning, risk assessment & approvals
Drone flights are planned in advance wherever possible. Before flying, operators must:
- review the assignment brief and site maps;
- complete a risk assessment covering people, animals, and property;
- check weather forecasts and any temporary flight restrictions; and
- secure written or documented approval from the relevant Foundation lead (for example, Sanctuary, Conservation, or Innovation Hub).
On-the-day dynamic risk assessments must be made before take-off and throughout the flight. If circumstances change, the pilot must be prepared to modify or cancel the flight.
4. Wildlife, sanctuary animals & disturbance
Drones can cause stress, fear, or disturbance to animals if misused. In addition to our Ethical Filming & Wildlife Media Policy, operators must:
- avoid flying directly over animals where this could cause distress;
- maintain safe horizontal distances from nesting, roosting, or breeding sites;
- avoid rapid movements, sudden dives, or hovering at close range;
- comply with seasonal restrictions around sensitive species or habitats;
- immediately adjust or end flights if animals show signs of distress or abnormal behaviour linked to the drone.
Within Sanctuary areas, staff guidance on individual animals and safe zones must always be followed.
5. No-fly zones & restricted areas
Certain locations associated with the Foundation may be designated as no-fly or restricted-fly zones due to:
- highly sensitive habitats or species;
- veterinary or rehabilitation activity;
- privacy requirements for staff or visitors; or
- security and safeguarding considerations.
These areas will be defined in site documentation and/or flight briefings. Pilots must integrate them into their planning and respect any live instructions from Foundation staff to alter or halt flights.
6. People, privacy & safeguarding
Aerial media can capture individuals, vehicles, or private locations. Operations must therefore:
- avoid unnecessary filming of residential areas, private gardens, or identifiable individuals not connected with the assignment;
- follow our Safeguarding Policy and Privacy Notice when filming people, especially children, young people, or adults at risk;
- respect any reasonable request from individuals on-site not to be filmed or to adjust flight paths accordingly.
Where aerial footage is used externally, identifiable personal details should be minimised, blurred, or avoided unless consent has been obtained.
7. Data, storage & usage of aerial media
Aerial media may contain sensitive information about land, infrastructure, or protected habitats. All imagery, video, and sensor data must be:
- stored securely, with access limited to authorised personnel;
- used in line with the Media, Copyright & Content Usage Policy;
- shared externally only under appropriate licences or agreements; and
- retained, archived, or deleted in line with our data retention and governance arrangements.
8. Third-party operators & partners
When the Foundation works with external drone operators or partner organisations, they must agree to:
- comply with this Policy and related media policies;
- meet legal and insurance requirements for the jurisdictions where they operate; and
- respect any additional conditions set out in assignment briefs or contracts.
The Foundation reserves the right to terminate collaborations where operators fail to meet these expectations.
9. Incidents, near-misses & reporting
Any incident or near-miss involving a drone—such as loss of control, unexpected proximity to wildlife, or equipment failure—must be reported promptly to the relevant Foundation lead. Where required by law or regulation, reports will also be submitted to the appropriate aviation authority.
Lessons from incidents or near-misses will be used to refine operating procedures, risk assessments, and training.
10. Review & updates
This Policy is reviewed periodically and may be updated to reflect changes in law, best practice, technology, or the Foundation's operations. The most recent version will be published on this page.
Questions or concerns about drone and aerial media can be raised through our usual contact routes or, where appropriate, under the Complaints & Feedback Policy.