Drones could help combat flooding
Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) could soon be used to help with flood prevention measures in the UK, after being given the go-ahead to operate by The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Urban flood specialist Richard Allitt Associates (RAA), based in Haywards Heath, has been working alongside the Environment Agency and a number of water companies, including Severn Trent and Thames Water.
The company's new Remote Aerial Survey business already has three qualified pilots and a number of UAVs capable of carrying imaging equipment designed to conduct diverse aerial surveys.
Fitted with thermal imaging cameras, the UAVs are designed to fly at a low enough altitude to operate effectively, but high enough not to infringe on the public's personal space.
Commenting on the new service, RAA associate director Martin Allitt said: "We are delighted to be able to offer this new service, which will help us gain images with a greater perspective and depth of imagery with fantastic levels of accuracy.
"UAVs will allow us to undertake surveys of areas we would never be able to reach on foot, such as marshland, rivers and industrial sites."
