Solentskyservices.co.uk Reviews

Based on looking at the website, Solent Sky Services, operating at Solentskyservices.co.uk, appears to be a legitimate and professional aerial media and drone survey company based in the UK.

They specialize in providing drone photography, video, and survey services for various industries, including commercial, maritime, motorsport, events, and construction.

The site highlights their experience, safety credentials, and a portfolio of notable projects, suggesting they are a credible service provider in their niche.

This kind of service, focusing on professional aerial photography, videography, and surveying for commercial and industrial purposes, aligns with permissible business activities.

It’s about providing a valuable technical service that can assist in construction, infrastructure monitoring, marketing, and safety inspections.

There are no elements on the website that raise concerns about impermissible activities, such as promoting entertainment that goes against ethical guidelines, engaging in financial schemes that involve interest riba, or anything that would be considered deceptive or harmful.

It seems to be a straightforward, service-oriented business, which is a good foundation.

Find detailed reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org, for software products you can also check Producthunt.

IMPORTANT: We have not personally tested this company’s services. This review is based solely on information provided by the company on their website. For independent, verified user experiences, please refer to trusted sources such as Trustpilot, Reddit, and BBB.org.

Solent Sky Services: A Closer Look at Their Offerings

Solent Sky Services positions itself as a comprehensive provider of aerial media and drone survey solutions.

They emphasize their family-run nature, multi-award-winning status, and a broad range of services tailored for specific industries. This isn’t just about flying a drone.

It’s about delivering tailored visual and data solutions.

Solentskyservices.co.uk Review & First Look

Upon first glance, Solentskyservices.co.uk presents a clean, professional, and informative website.

The homepage clearly outlines their core services, their credentials, and showcases impressive past projects.

• Professional Presentation: The site uses high-quality imagery and video, immediately conveying their expertise in visual media.
• Clear Value Proposition: They state upfront who they serve and what problems they solve, making it easy for potential clients to understand if their services are a fit.
• Credibility Indicators: Prominently displayed are their CAA Civil Aviation Authority approval, national coverage, emphasis on safety, and significant insurance coverage £10million+, which are critical for drone operations in the UK.

Understanding Solent Sky Services’ Core Features

Solent Sky Services offers a robust suite of services, going beyond simple drone flights to provide end-to-end media and surveying solutions.

• Comprehensive Aerial Media: They provide professional aerial films and ground photos, catering to diverse needs from promotional campaigns to event coverage.
• Specialized Drone Surveys: This includes property and land surveys, crucial for construction, real estate, and infrastructure management.
• FPV Drone Filming: The inclusion of First-Person View FPV drone filming suggests they can capture dynamic, immersive footage, ideal for action-oriented content like motorsports or high-energy events.
• In-House Editing & Marketing: This is a significant value-add. They don’t just capture footage. they offer post-production, storyboarding, and scriptwriting, helping clients create compelling narratives. This integrated approach ensures a cohesive final product.
• Advanced Safety & Permissions: Their “impeccable safety record” has earned them special CAA permissions, allowing them to operate in more challenging environments and conditions than many competitors. Their 2022 OSC Operational Safety Case even covers FPV drones, which is a testament to their rigorous safety protocols.
• National Coverage: While headquartered in Portsmouth, they operate across the entire UK, indicating their capacity to handle projects nationwide.

Solentskyservices.co.uk Pros

Solent Sky Services brings several strong advantages to the table, making them a compelling choice for businesses needing aerial media and surveying.

• CAA Approved and Highly Certified: This is paramount in drone operations. Their CAA approval, special permissions like the 2022 OSC for FPV, and membership in Drone Safe Register underscore their commitment to legal and safe operations. For clients, this means peace of mind regarding compliance and professionalism.
• Extensive Experience: With over eight years of commercial drone flying experience, they’ve clearly honed their skills and processes. Experience translates to efficiency, problem-solving, and high-quality output.
• Broad Industry Versatility: Their work across commercial, maritime, motorsport, event, and construction industries demonstrates adaptability and a deep understanding of diverse client needs. This versatility means they can tailor their approach to specific sectors.
• End-to-End Service: Offering everything from initial consultation and planning storyboarding, scriptwriting to aerial capture and post-production editing, marketing support streamlines the process for clients, saving them time and effort in coordinating multiple vendors.
• Strong Portfolio and Testimonials: The website features impressive “Featured Projects” with big-name clients like Burberry, Eric Cantona for Paddy Power, and Danny Boyle. This public display of successful collaborations, alongside recent positive reviews, builds significant trust and demonstrates their capability. For example, their work with JCB Golf & Country Club for the 2022 EU Legends Tour filming highlights their precision and ability to showcase complex environments.
• Family-Run Business with Industry Connections: Being family-run often implies a personal touch and dedication to client satisfaction. Their claim of being “very well-connected within the drone, filmmaking, and advertising industries” suggests they can leverage a network for larger or more specialized projects.
• Commitment to Safety: Their emphasis on “Serious About Safety,” “Insured to £10million+”, and thorough risk and method statements before every flight speaks volumes about their professional ethos. In drone operations, safety is non-negotiable.

Solentskyservices.co.uk Cons Potential Considerations

While Solent Sky Services appears highly professional, there are a few general considerations that might apply to any specialized service provider, which aren’t necessarily “cons” but points for clients to ponder.

• Pricing Transparency Not Explicitly Stated: Like most professional service providers, explicit pricing isn’t listed on the website. This isn’t unusual, as projects are often custom-quoted based on scope, duration, complexity, and specific requirements e.g., location, type of drone used, post-production needs. Clients will need to engage directly for a bespoke quote.
• Availability: As an “award-winning” and presumably in-demand company, there might be lead times for booking their services, especially for larger or more complex projects. Early engagement would likely be beneficial.
• Specific Niche Focus: While versatile across industries, their specialization means they might not be the right fit for smaller, simpler, or hobbyist-level drone needs. Their focus is clearly on commercial and industrial applications requiring high levels of professionalism and compliance.

Solentskyservices.co.uk Alternatives

When considering aerial media and drone survey services, clients might look at several types of alternatives, depending on their specific needs and budget.

• Larger National Drone Service Providers: Companies like Skyports Drone Services or Cyberhawk Innovations operate on a global or national scale, offering similar advanced inspection and mapping services, often for large-scale industrial projects oil & gas, utilities. These might be considered for extremely large or highly specialized industrial applications.
• Regional Drone Companies: Many localized drone companies exist across the UK, offering services from basic photography to property surveys. Examples could include Drone Safe Register members in a specific area, as this register lists many approved operators. These might be suitable for more localized or smaller-scale projects where a regional focus is desired.
• Freelance Drone Operators: For very small, straightforward projects, individual freelance drone pilots who are also CAA approved and insured might be an option. However, they typically won’t offer the same integrated services in-house editing, marketing support, large team assembly as a company like Solent Sky Services.
• Traditional Photography/Videography Companies: For ground-based media needs, traditional photography and videography studios are an alternative. However, they cannot replicate the unique perspectives and data capture capabilities that drones provide.

Why Solent Sky Services Stands Out: Solent Sky Services differentiates itself through its deep experience, advanced CAA permissions allowing flights where others can’t, in-house post-production capabilities, and a strong portfolio of high-profile projects. For businesses requiring a comprehensive, high-quality, and compliant aerial media or survey solution, their integrated approach and proven track record make them a strong contender, often surpassing the capabilities of smaller alternatives or individual freelancers. Highalphatrends.com Reviews

Solentskyservices.co.uk Pricing

Based on typical industry practices for professional drone services in the UK, pricing for Solent Sky Services would generally be on a project-by-project basis, determined by several key factors.

• Project Scope and Complexity:
  • Number of Flight Hours: The actual time drones are in the air.
  • Number of Locations: Multiple sites increase logistics and travel costs.
  • Type of Drone/Equipment Used: Specialized drones e.g., FPV, heavy-lift cinematic drones or advanced sensors e.g., thermal, LiDAR for surveys will impact cost.
  • Crew Size: Some projects might require a larger team pilot, visual observer, camera operator, ground crew.
• Service Type:
  • Basic Aerial Photography: Often the least expensive.
  • Aerial Videography: More involved, requiring planning, multiple takes, and potentially complex camera movements.
  • FPV Drone Filming: Highly skilled and often more expensive due to specialized piloting and equipment.
  • Drone Surveys/Inspections: Pricing might be based on area covered acres/hectares, level of detail required, and specific data deliverables e.g., orthomosaic maps, 3D models.
• Post-Production Requirements:
  • Editing: Basic cuts vs. complex cinematic editing, color grading, sound design.
  • Marketing & Storyboarding: The extent of creative input and content development.
  • Data Processing: For survey projects, the time and software required to process raw drone data into usable formats e.g., CAD files, point clouds.
• Logistics and Permissions:
  • Travel and Accommodation: For projects outside their immediate operational area.
  • Special Permissions/Risk Assessments: While they have broad permissions, specific project sites e.g., congested areas, controlled airspace might require additional, time-consuming applications and safety plans.
• Typical Price Ranges Estimates for Professional Services:
  • Half-Day Shoot basic: Could range from £500 – £1,500+ depending on complexity.
  • Full-Day Shoot: £1,000 – £3,000+ for standard aerial photo/video.
  • Specialized Projects e.g., FPV, large-scale surveys, multi-day shoots with extensive post-production: Can easily run into several thousands of pounds, even tens of thousands for major commercial campaigns.

Clients interested in Solent Sky Services should contact them directly for a detailed quote tailored to their specific project brief.

They emphasize starting with a “hello!” for a reason – it’s the beginning of a custom solution.

How to Engage Solent Sky Services for Your Project

Engaging Solent Sky Services for your aerial media or drone survey needs follows a clear, professional process, ensuring your project requirements are fully understood and met.

• Initial Contact: The website prominently features calls to action like “Click here to get in touch” and “It all starts with a ‘hello!’”. This is the first step. You can typically contact them via:
  • Contact Form: Found on their “Get in Touch” or “Contact Us” page. This allows you to provide an initial overview of your project.
  • Email: A direct email address is usually provided for inquiries.
  • Phone Call: For immediate discussions or more complex initial queries.
• Project Briefing and Consultation:
  • Once you make contact, they will likely schedule a consultation to understand your vision and requirements in detail. Be prepared to discuss:
    • Project Goals: What do you want to achieve with the aerial footage/data? e.g., marketing, inspection, progress monitoring.
    • Specific Deliverables: Do you need raw footage, edited videos, specific photo formats, survey maps, 3D models?
    • Locations: Provide addresses or precise coordinates.
    • Timelines: When do you need the project completed? Are there specific dates/times for filming?
    • Budget if known: Providing a general budget can help them tailor solutions.
• Site Assessment & Risk Assessment:
  • Before any flight, Solent Sky Services, as a professional and safety-conscious operator, will undertake a thorough site assessment. This includes:
    • Legal Compliance: Checking airspace restrictions, proximity to airports, no-fly zones.
    • Environmental Factors: Weather conditions, obstacles trees, buildings, power lines.
    • Risk and Method Statements: Developing detailed safety plans for the specific operation, which is a CAA requirement.
• Quotation and Agreement:
  • Based on the detailed briefing and site assessment, they will provide a comprehensive proposal and quotation. This will outline:
    • Scope of Work: What services are included.
    • Deliverables: Exactly what you will receive.
    • Timeline: Expected project duration and delivery dates.
    • Cost: The total fee for the services.
  • Once agreed upon, a formal contract or agreement will be put in place.
• Execution and Delivery:
  • Their team will then execute the aerial operations according to the agreed plan and safety protocols.
  • Post-production editing, data processing will follow.
  • Finally, the agreed-upon deliverables will be provided to you.
• Key Considerations for Engagement:
  • Be Clear and Specific: The more detail you can provide about your project, the better they can understand your needs and provide an accurate quote and effective solution.
  • Plan Ahead: Especially for larger projects or those with strict deadlines, contacting them well in advance is advisable.
  • Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to ask about their processes, insurance, CAA permissions, or any other concerns you may have.

Engaging Solent Sky Services is a professional process designed to ensure client satisfaction and high-quality, compliant aerial services.

Frequently Asked Questions

What services does Solent Sky Services offer?

Solent Sky Services offers professional aerial video and drone photography, property and land surveys, FPV drone filming, and in-house editing and marketing services for commercial, maritime, motorsport, event, and construction industries.

Is Solent Sky Services CAA approved?

Yes, Solent Sky Services explicitly states they have CAA Approved Pilots and permissions for professional commercial operations in the UK and overseas.

They also hold special CAA permissions for advanced flight operations.

What industries does Solent Sky Services cater to?

They serve a wide range of industries including commercial, maritime, motorsport, event, and construction.

Their featured projects also indicate work in film & TV, golf, and general marketing. Dollscentsuk.co.uk Reviews

Where is Solent Sky Services based?

Solent Sky Services is headquartered in Portsmouth, Hampshire, but they offer national coverage across the UK.

Is Solent Sky Services insured?

Yes, they prominently state on their website that they are “Insured to £10million+”, providing significant coverage for their operations.

Does Solent Sky Services offer editing services?

Yes, they provide in-house editing, ground photography, marketing, storyboarding, and scriptwriting services to make promotional campaigns more engaging and to help filmmakers tell their story.

What is FPV drone filming?

Solent Sky Services’ 2022 OSC even covers FPV drones.

How long has Solent Sky Services been operating commercially?

They state they have been flying drones commercially for over eight years.

Can Solent Sky Services fly drones where others legally can’t?

Yes, due to their “impeccable safety record” and special CAA permissions like their 2022 OSC, they are able to fly further, higher, and closer than other drone companies, in more places, circumstances, and conditions.

Is Solent Sky Services a family-run business?

Yes, they explicitly mention being a family-run business.

How can I get a quote from Solent Sky Services?

You can get a quote by clicking on the “Click here to get in touch” or “It all starts with a ‘hello!’” links on their website to contact them directly, likely through a contact form, email, or phone.

Does Solent Sky Services provide services overseas?

Yes, their CAA certifications allow them permissions for professional commercial operations “in the UK and overseas.”

What kind of safety measures does Solent Sky Services take?

They emphasize being “Serious About Safety,” are insured to £10million+, and conduct all flights with full risk and method statements undertaken beforehand. Lomondgolf.com Reviews

Are they members of any drone safety organizations?

Yes, they are members of Drone Safe Register.

Does Solent Sky Services offer 360-degree drone photography?

Yes, “360º Drone Photography” is listed as one of their service categories on the homepage.

What kind of projects have they worked on?

Their featured projects include work for Burberry, Paddy Power with Eric Cantona, Danny Boyle’s “Pages of the Sea” commemoration, and filming for the EU Legends Tour at JCB Golf & Country Club.

Do they offer services for events?

Yes, they explicitly list “Events” as one of the industries they serve, providing professional aerial films and ground photos.

What does “OSC” refer to in the context of their CAA permissions?

OSC stands for Operational Safety Case.

It’s a detailed document submitted to the CAA demonstrating an operator’s ability to fly safely outside the standard operating permissions, allowing for more complex or challenging operations.

Do they provide marketing support beyond just filming?

Yes, they mention offering “marketing, storyboarding, and scriptwriting services to make promotional campaigns more engaging.”

Have they won any awards?

Yes, their blog highlights that as co-owners, they were awarded both “Small Business of the Year” and “Overall Business of the Year” at the 2023 Portsmouth Business Excellence Awards.

Keefh-web-designs.org.uk Reviews