ARC Aerial Imaging

15/10/2026

Preparing and making ready to remotely-deliver and instruct another ‘Agisoft Metashape (Professional Edition) SfM Photogrammetry Processing Course’ tomorrow, this time on a bespoke one-to-one basis to a recent alumnus of ARC Aerial Imaging’s ‘Drone Aerial Imaging Masterclass Course for Mapping, Surveying and Photogrammetry’’.

While specialist training is always best delivered in person within a dedicated training environment, ARC Aerial Imaging also offers the flexibility to deliver its courses through online means. This provides an effective alternative where taking several days away from the workplace may not be practical without compromising the depth, quality or overall learning experience of the course.

And as a flexible training provider it can also tailor the delivery format, not only around busy schedules but also to individual requirements based on their UAS equipment and sensing. Online attendees receive the same comprehensive course content, instruction and supporting training materials as those who’d be attending a venue-based course. It can also be a cost-effective option - no additional travel/accommodation/subsistence costs are involved and is delivered in the comfort of your own office or, if remote-working, at home.

If this approach to training would benefit you, get in touch with your specific training requirements via the ARC Aerial Imaging contact page. From there, we can discuss how our courses can be structured and delivered around your individual business needs.

ARC Aerial Imaging Limited
Web: https://www.arcaerialimaging.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arc-aerial-imaging/

14/10/2026

Promoting safer skies through collaboration, communication and shared airspace awareness.

It was another insightful day attending the bi-annual Regional Airspace Users Working Group (RAUWG) which was held at RAF Leeming today.

Mandated under AP8000 (Leaflet 8201), the RAUWG provides an important forum for improving air safety and reducing the risk of mid-air collisions between military and civilian airspace users through greater engagement, understanding and collaboration. Its core objectives include:

✈️ Promoting a positive safety culture across the regional aviation community;

✈️ Understanding the operations of other airspace users to improve awareness and reduce potential conflicts;

✈️ Building strong, sustainable relationships between military and civilian aviation stakeholders.

The meeting typically features a series of highly-informative presentations from several of its delegates centred on air safety. Having attended these events for the past few years we felt it was time to contribute to the discussion by delivering a presentation on ‘Commercial UAS Operations - Safely Operating in Shared Airspace’ which covered several topics including:

🔹 ARC Aerial Imaging’s various specialist services and its current UAS;

🔹 The various certification pathways towards becoming a CAA-approved commercial UAS operator;

🔹 UAS flight safety - an overview of the DJI AirSense system and how it can enhance UAS operator situational awareness;

🔹 Future airspace safety systems to support the continued integration of UAS into the wider shared airspace environment.

We would strongly encourage other commercial UAS operators to attend a regional RAUWG meeting, wherever that would be, which are hosted and facilitated at RAF flying units. Understanding the wider aviation environment, appreciating the operational requirements of other airspace users and maintaining open channels of communication are all fundamental to operating both safely and professionally.

With the continued growth of the UAS industry brings emerging opportunities but it also places a responsibility on all UAS operators to contribute positively to the safety culture that underpins our shared skies.

ARC Aerial Imaging Limited
Web: https://www.arcaerialimaging.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arc-aerial-imaging/

07/10/2026

Thomas was one of several initial attendees on ARC Aerial Imaging’s first ‘Drone Aerial Imaging Masterclass Course for Mapping, Surveying and Photogrammetry’ way back in 2017.

Fast-forward to now and, just as UAV technology, sensors, software and professional workflows have evolved, so did the training. Recognising the value of keeping his knowledge and practical skills current, Thomas recently returned to undertake the Masterclass again, demonstrating that professional development in UAV mapping and aerial imaging doesn’t stop once the first course is completed.

And he didn’t stop there.

He also progressed onto its follow-on ‘Agisoft Metashape Pro SfM Photogrammetry Processing Course’, applying the principles of photogrammetric processing to produce results such as this.

It’s a great example of what ARC Aerial Imaging’s training is designed to deliver - not simply learning how to fly a drone but developing the knowledge, practical skills and processing capability required to turn UAV-acquired imagery into meaningful, professional geospatial outputs. From mission planning and aerial image acquisition, understanding mapping and surveying methodologies to SfM photogrammetric processing, its courses are designed to provide a progressive pathway from data capture to deliverable.

Technology continually changes and professional skills need to evolve with it. And that’s why ARC Aerial Imaging’s training continues to develop!

To learn more about these and its other specialist UAV training courses, visit https://www.arcaerialimaging.com/training

ARC Aerial Imaging Limited
Web: https://www.arcaerialimaging.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arc-aerial-imaging/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARCAerialImaging

What can you get from one drone mapping survey?
This is Bridgend Golf & FootGolf near Linlithgow, mapped using my DJI Matrice 4 Enterprise.
Thousands of overlapping photographs were combined to create this detailed orthomosaic — but that's only the beginning.
From the same survey I can produce elevation models, contours, point clouds, 3D models and GIS data.
Thanks to for giving me such an interesting site to demonstrate what modern aerial mapping can deliver.
Over the next five days, I'll show you what's hiding inside this dataset.

06/10/2026

Training that goes beyond simply teaching people how to operate a drone.

At ARC Aerial Imaging, it’s continually been developing its specialist UAV aerial imaging, mapping, surveying and photogrammetry courses around a fundamental principle:

Training should develop capability, not just knowledge.

Its courses can be structured and aligned with the principles of the Defence Systems Approach to Training (DSAT), providing a systematic approach to identifying the training requirement, defining learning objectives, delivering structured instruction and, importantly, assessing whether the learner can actually apply what they have learned.

For UAV aerial imaging, that distinction is particularly important.

A learner may be able to operate a UAV safely but that does not necessarily mean they can:

• Interpret a mapping or surveying requirement;
• Select the appropriate UAV and imaging sensor;
• Determine suitable GSD, overlap, altitude and flight parameters;
• Design an effective mapping mission;
• Establish an appropriate ground-control strategy;
• Acquire imagery suitable for photogrammetric processing;
• Identify deficiencies within an acquired dataset;
• Process imagery using SfM photogrammetry;
• Generate accurate orthomosaics, DEMs and point clouds;
• Undertake meaningful quality assurance;
• Understand accuracy, limitations and fitness for purpose;
• Produce and communicate professional geospatial deliverables.

That is where structured training makes a difference.

A DSAT-aligned approach provides a clear progression:

UNDERSTAND → PLAN → ACQUIRE → PROCESS → ASSURE → DELIVER

It also encourages the use of formative assessment, practical exercises, structured debriefs and competency-based assessment rather than relying solely on classroom knowledge.

For ARC Aerial Imaging, this fits naturally with how it already delivers its training.

Its ‘Drone Aerial Imaging Masterclass Course for Mapping, Surveying and Photogrammetry’ is built around practical application, technical understanding and professional judgement, using realistic scenarios and practical exercises to challenge attendees to think beyond simply pressing “start” on an automated flight mission.

The objective is to develop practitioners who understand why they are doing something, how to do it correctly and, perhaps most importantly, how to recognise when something isn’t right.

That’s the difference between learning how to operate equipment and developing a genuine professional UAV aerial-imaging capability!

Course dates are pending for 2027 but there are only 2 training dates remaining for 2026. To know more, visit https://www.arcaerialimaging.com/training

05/10/2026

It’s been quite some time since we last flew the venerable DJI Phantom 4 Pro so before putting this proven mapping workhorse into training service it was time for a series of ‘shake-down’ flights.

Following comprehensive serviceability checks, firmware updates and IMU/compass/gimbal calibrations, it has been put through its paces to ensure that it is fully mapping flight-ready.

The reason for bringing it back into action is simple: the Phantom 4 Pro still remains an exceptionally capable platform for aerial mapping and photogrammetry. Its high-quality 20MP camera, mechanical shutter and precise flight-control capabilities through DJI Pilot’s ‘Mission Planner’ make it particularly well suited to capturing the overlapping, high-resolution imagery required for producing accurate orthomosaics, 3D models, point clouds and other photogrammetric outputs.

It will now be ready for one of ARC Aerial Imaging’s course attendees and to put it into practice in a few weeks time during the practical mapping exercises on its next ‘Drone Aerial Imaging Masterclass Course for Mapping, Surveying and Photogrammetry’. In fact, it will also be made available for future attendees should they not have access to the latest Enterprise platforms and that it shouldn’t be a barrier to developing the knowledge and practical skills required for professional aerial mapping, surveying and photogrammetry.

A reminder that, when it comes to aerial mapping, it isn’t always about having the latest drone - it’s about having a capable, reliable platform with the right camera, flight characteristics and workflow for the job. And the Phantom 4 Pro still has that to offer.

Course dates are pending for 2027 but, in the meantime, there are only 2 training dates remaining for 2026. To know more, visit https://www.arcaerialimaging.com/training

ARC Aerial Imaging Limited
Web: https://www.arcaerialimaging.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arc-aerial-imaging/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARCAerialImaging

01/10/2026

Mapping and surveying ‘old school’ but with the capabilities and workflows of today’s Enterprise technology.

Not every aspiring UAV mapping professional has access to the latest Enterprise platform and that shouldn’t necessarily be a barrier to developing the knowledge and practical skills required for professional aerial mapping, surveying and photogrammetry.

At ARC Aerial Imaging it goes beyond simply delivering course content. We aim to ensure our attendees have the opportunity to put that knowledge into practice, regardless of the equipment they currently have available.

Ahead of our next ‘Drone Aerial Imaging Masterclass Course for Mapping, Surveying and Photogrammetry’, taking place 20th–23rd October at Sky Revolutions in Cambridgeshire, it has made a DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2 and CrystalSky monitor combination available for one of its attendees to use during the practical mapping exercises.

The Phantom 4 Pro V2 may now be considered a legacy platform but when paired with the Mission Planner functionality within the pre-installed DJI Pilot application, it provides an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the fundamental principles behind automated UAV mapping missions. For those familiar with today’s Enterprise platforms, the workflow will also provide an interesting comparison with the DJI Pilot 2/Flight Route environment used across newer Enterprise UAVs.

Because ultimately, effective UAV mapping isn’t simply about owning the latest drone!

It’s about understanding mission planning, image acquisition, photogrammetric principles, data quality and the processes that turn aerial imagery into meaningful geospatial information.

That’s the knowledge and practical understanding ARC Aerial Imaging aims to develop through its specialist UAS aerial sensing and imaging training.

Sometimes, you just need to go ‘old school’ to understand how far the technology has come!

Places are still available at Sky Revolutions’ next course, to book a spot visit https://skyrevolutions.co.uk/drone-training/

01/10/2026

Not every effective UAV mapping workflow requires an enterprise-class drone.

ARC Aerial Imaging’s 1-Day ‘Mapping Planning with Litchi Pilot Course’ is designed for those taking their first steps into drone-based mapping, surveying and photogrammetry, particularly when working with legacy or non-enterprise UAV platforms.

The course demonstrates how, where operationally appropriate, some sub-250g and other compatible drones can be utilised for structured aerial mapping applications using Litchi Pilot. This provides an accessible route into understanding the planning, mission design, image acquisition and operational principles that underpin professional UAV mapping without necessarily requiring an immediate large investment in an enterprise UAV platform.

It can also be particularly relevant where the use of larger enterprise systems may be inappropriate for the operating environment, while still allowing participants to develop sound mapping and surveying methodologies.

At ARC Aerial Imaging, the emphasis is not simply on flying a drone - it is on understanding why, how and under what conditions aerial imagery should be acquired to produce useful geospatial data.

Start with the fundamentals, develop the methodology, build up the capability!

To learn more about this and its other specialist UAV training courses, visit https://www.arcaerialimaging.com/training

ARC Aerial Imaging Limited
Web: https://www.arcaerialimaging.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arc-aerial-imaging/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARCAerialImaging

29/09/2026

Positive feedback is always rewarding but it’s even more valuable when it helps shape what comes next.

Following the recent delivery of ARC Aerial Imaging’s ‘Drone Aerial Imaging Masterclass Course for Mapping, Surveying and Photogrammetry’, feedback from its attendees has provided some particularly useful insight into the practical elements of the course.

As a result, elements of the practical training exercises are now being adapted to introduce an additional level of challenge by placing greater emphasis on planning, decision-making and the application of sound aerial imaging principles.

Rather than simply following a prescribed workflow, attendees are being encouraged to think more critically about why they are planning an operation in a particular way, what information they need to consider and how their decisions will ultimately influence the quality and suitability of the resulting aerial data.

That is an important distinction.

At ARC Aerial Imaging, the objective is therefore not just to teach attendees how to operate their equipment but to develop the underlying technical understanding and professional mindset required to plan, acquire, process and ultimately deliver meaningful aerial imaging and geospatial outputs.

And if the feedback from the latest course is anything to go by, raising the bar for the practical exercises is certainly worthwhile.

Training should challenge people to think beyond the equipment and that is exactly what ARC Aerial Imaging always aims to do.

To find out more about ARC Aerial Imaging’s training courses, visit https://www.arcaerialimaging.com/training

ARC Aerial Imaging Limited
Web: https://www.arcaerialimaging.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/arc-aerial-imaging/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ARCAerialImaging

27/09/2026

There’s something particularly rewarding about seeing attendees complete their training and leave not only with new knowledge and practical skills, but also with a certificate that recognises their achievement.

Over the past few days, it has been a real pleasure to deliver ARC Aerial Imaging’s specialist ‘Drone Aerial Imaging Masterclass for Mapping, Surveying and Photogrammetry, followed by the ‘Agisoft Metashape Pro SfM Photogrammetry Course’.

It was particularly satisfying to see several attendees complete their respective courses and proudly receive their ARC Aerial Imaging attendance certificates - tangible recognition of the time, effort and commitment they invested in developing their skills.

For me, that’s one of the most rewarding aspects of delivering specialist training: sharing knowledge, seeing understanding develop and helping others build the capability to produce professional results for themselves.

A certificate marks the completion of the training but the real value is in the knowledge and skills that go with it.

More knowledge, more skills, more capability!

If you’re looking to develop your own UAV aerial imaging, mapping, surveying or photogrammetry capabilities, ARC Aerial Imaging’s specialist training courses are designed to help you do exactly that.

🌐 www.arcaerialimaging.com/training

27/09/2026

What makes a UAV training provider the right choice for aerial imaging, mapping and surveying?

There are plenty of organisations offering drone training but there is an important distinction between learning to fly a UAV and learning how to use one as a professional aerial imaging, mapping and surveying tool.

ARC Aerial Imaging’s training is specifically focused on the latter.

For more than a decade it’s been developing and delivering specialist training designed to take attendees through the complete technical workflow:

📷 Aerial image acquisition — understanding RGB, thermal and multispectral sensors, imaging fundamentals and the factors that determine data quality.

🛰️ UAV mission planning — developing appropriate flight and acquisition methodologies for mapping, surveying and photogrammetric applications.

📐 Photogrammetry — processing UAV imagery into accurate, useful geospatial datasets using industry-standard workflows.

🗺️ Digital mapping & GIS — taking processed data through to professional mapping and geospatial outputs.

Rather than treating UAVs simply as flying cameras, its approach is to develop an understanding of the science, mathematics, geometry, imaging principles and processing methodologies that underpin professional aerial data acquisition.

That distinction matters.

A high-specification UAV and sophisticated imaging sensor can provide impressive capabilities but without the knowledge to plan the acquisition correctly, control the imaging conditions and understand how those images will subsequently be processed, its commercial potential can be significantly underutilised.

ARC Aerial Imaging provides a structured pathway from UAV image capture → photogrammetric processing → professional digital mapping and with more than 20 years of imagery and geospatial experience in the Royal Air Force, combined with more than 10 years of commercial UAV industry experience, the training is underpinned by practical technical knowledge rather than simply the operation of the aircraft.

If your objective is to move beyond simply flying a drone and develop the capability to capture, process, analyse and deliver professional aerial imaging and mapping outputs, specialist training makes a significant difference.

More knowledge. More capability. More value from your UAV investment.

🌐 https://www.arcaerialimaging.com/training