It’s not that easy... but we are here to guide you and take a lot of pain out of a process which can get confusing and annoying. We have also partnered with Osprey Drone Training to help deal with the ever changing world of drone permissions and regulations

Yes.

For pilots who currently have a NQE you will be able to use this until the end of 2023. Fifth Eye offer conversion courses if you want to move to the new GVC system. If you do not hold a NQE we can get you qualified and when you want to do your GVC in the Future with Fifth Eye Crew it will be free. The current CAA PfCO has become an ‘Operational Authorisation’. Fifth Eye Crew members will operate under Fifth Eye’s ‘Operational Authorisation’.

Yes. Fifth Eye can facilitate your drone operations and cover your pilots within Fifth Eye Crew.

It’s a really simple process, all we need from you is your GVC certificate or you theory and practical certificates from a registered CAA NQE. We have a small contract for you to sign, and need a bit of additional info, as soon as it's processed, welcome to the team. You can start flying with us immediately.

If you become a Fifth Eye Crew member, we are now exclusively offering CAA qualifications online for £299 (Normally £399).

The courses are completed online over a two-day period and will require a practical flight exam after.

Fifth Eye Crew members receive free flight training before their practical exam.

We have everything from a DJI Mavic 3 CINE to an Inspire 2 with X7. All our kits come with everything you need for your shoot. For example our DJI Inspire 2 shooting kits come with 10 extra batteries, two controllers, monitors, 6 piece lens kit and Apple Pro Res SSD drives. You can even request additional batteries, cards and monitoring equipment at no additional cost. We also have a high end drone package for commercials and feature films with professional director monitors and a mobile base station.

If you use Fifth Eye Crew’s drones you won’t need to pay any additional insurance.

Yes. We need to see flight logs to show your experience levels for each UAV. We can provide free training if you want to fly a larger UAV.

We operate an agency model when it comes to fees and rates. When you use Fifth Eye’s equipment we share your additional pilots rate with you 50/50. This is on top of your normal day or buy-out rate. We understand that every job and client is different and that negotiating rate is part of being a freelancer. We want to put this in your control. Having this system assures the fairest and simplest way of taking an agency fee for our equipment and pilot services.

Example 1

You are working on a TV Documentary show for three weeks. You offer your drone services to your client. They want an DJI Inspire 2, and you negotiate a buyout rate of £4000 for the whole shoot. We split this rate with you 50/50 and you get an additional £2000 for the job.

Example 2

You are hired as a camera operator for short promo for two weeks and want to offer your client the option of a video drone. The DJI Mavic Pro is the obvious choice since you will be flying solo and the shoot is isolated and time sensitive. You charge your client an additional £800 for the drone as you think you’ll only need it for a few days on the shoot. You split this rate 50/50 with Fifth Eye and make an additional £400 on top of your shoot rate.

We do have recommended rates, but leave the final negotiating up to each Fifth Eye Crew Member. We can also work with production companies to offer a more dynamic pricing scheme.

Because we are not a rental company, we are an agency that facilitate your needs as a pilot. We know that every job is different, that every client is different. We don’t want to constrain you to flat fees.

We offer an agency service and facilitate you as a pilot. We do not primarily look for work for our members. Our members are already experienced crew working in the TV, Film and Media industries. We do however often have enquiries from clients looking for a drone pilot with a specific other skill, such as audio recording, health and safety certificates and action cam experience. When this happens we reach out to Fifth Eye Crew members who we think would be suitable.

No, Fifth Eye Crew members fly under Fifth Eye’s Operations Manual and Operational Authorisation.

When you need a drone for a job you simply fill out a short online form or use our iOS app, then a member of the team will be in touch regarding kit collection. Our main HQ is in Acton, West London, and we have a base in Bristol, but we can deliver or mail kit to most places in the UK.

All Fifth Eye Crew members are qualified and operate under UK CAA guidelines. If a crew member wants to shoot abroad the same permits and permission are required as if you were a solo OA holder. We can help our members with permits and give guidance on shooting outside the UK.