[dropcap]Y[/dropcap]ou’ve heard of them. You’ve maybe even heard them flying overhead. Buzzing about the region, and with it ushering in a quiet revolution for the future of business across the board. Sure, we’ve had model planes, helicopters – and even the humble kite – fly through our skies for generations. So too the click of the camera shutter, helping showcase the beauty of our region.
This time it’s different. By combining aerial flight with visual media, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (hereafter called drones) bring with their greater use immense potential for the Caribbean. Not everything about drones is widely understood though.
For example, did you know they are used by hobbyists and professionals alike? And that they have the potential to benefit our region in a number of ways beyond film and photography? Let’s look now at some of the areas drones can be used locally, and also some of the challenges surrounding their use.
THE DEMAND FOR DRONES
Commercial drones have been around for a long time. Militaries, for example, have used drones for years but only in the smartphone era did the stars really align to deliver a powerful‚ user friendly‚ and affordable piece of technology to the market.
Typically operated by remote control or smartphone app‚ a standard drone today weighs a few kilograms‚ comes with an outstanding camera‚ and a light construction overall. With many models able to fit into a backpack‚ drones have become the accessory of choice for professionals and tourists seeking to capture something rare and new from the air above the Caribbean.
As a result of this phenomenon globally, the drone industry has grown to such a scale as to have a predicted value of $127 billion by 2020. Sure, a good chunk of that may be hobbyists‚ but it also represents the drone’s growing use-cases.
WHAT DO BUSINESSES USE DRONES FOR?
With a definition now in hand it is easy to imagine many applications for drones if you are yet to use one.
Today a good drone can be acquired for around $700 USD. This is not small change‚ but for a tourism business seeking to try something new in their marketing‚ it offers a quick and easy way to do so.
Drones can be used to capture a continuous single shot for use in one video. Footage can also be captured for editing with other film‚ being used for an establishing shot or final view over the landscape. Still the old adage ‘easy to begin‚ hard to master’ is true.
Many entrepreneurs have identified in the rise of drone tech the potential for a new business. Similarly‚ so too have established photographers recognised the headwinds of change‚ and incorporated drone services into their existing business.
The prospect of greater drone use is exciting because of their obvious applications, and their wider use. Many businesses have taken to social media after an event encouraging people to tag family and friends in photos. This may be great when it is in a ballroom or a dance hall, but the depth of field a drone offers can take this to the next level.
It’s true cameras like the GoPro have allowed tourists to capture great memories while out on the water in our region. But before drones this meant footage could only be acquired ‘at the ground level’, so really seeing how fast that windsurfer went, or how high that paraglider soared, could be difficult. Not only on land, but on water too drones bring a new dynamism to promoting tourism.
WHAT INDUSTRIES OUTSIDE OF TOURISM USE DRONES?
More widely‚ drones have been used in surveying work‚ conservation efforts‚ and rescue efforts. As well as tourism‚ their wider use in the agricultural sector is also very promising‚ providing farmers a way to monitor crops‚ water supplies‚ and even fence lines in a faster and more cost-effective way.
The most exciting aspect of drones is they remain relatively new, and ripe for further innovation. Just as Apple didn’t invent the tablet – but with the iPad ushered in an era where it would find daily use – so too can drone fans look forward to a future where they become even more user friendly, and find more uses in daily business.
THE GENERAL DO’S AND DON’TS OF DRONE USE
For all the new benefits drones offer‚ like any airborne or recording technology‚ they do come with some restrictions surrounding their use.
Specific laws surrounding drones vary from one nation to another. Similar to another emerging technology in blockchain, globally some governments largely welcome greater drone use, whereas other have sought strict regulation. That’s why someone is OK to fly a drone in our St Lucia – but given Nicaragua has previously banned drones outright – traveling and using a drone from one country to another can be a very different experience.
Differences notwithstanding, there are universal guidelines when it comes to drone use that are common features of the law everywhere:
1) DRONES MUST NOT POSE A HAZARD IN THEIR USE
Hitting someone with a drone, disrupting a public event like a cricket match, interfering with the safe operation of an aircraft, or even just hitting power lines accidently can all see a drone operator run afoul of the law. Planning the route a drone will fly before take off can help prevent such issues from occurring.
2) DRONE USE MUST NOT INTRUDE ON PRIVACY OR PRIVATE PROPERTY.
No individual should feel they are being spied upon. Even in a public space, the right to not be unreasonably observed or monitored is recognised in many legal systems. This also applies to the use of drones over private property. Even if no other person is present, if a drone operator would be concerned they’re trespassing if they stood beneath where their drone was to fly, then it’s possible they shouldn’t fly their drone there.
3) BUT USE AT A SUFFICIENT HEIGHT IS USUALLY OK
While a lawful right to privacy and private property are core to many regional nations, reasonable use of the airspace above private property is also recognised. Though drones may not fly as high as airplanes or helicopters, flying at a sufficient height to pass without intruding on anything below is usually not an issue.
4) WHILE THEY MUSTN’T TRESPASS, AN OWNER BEARS RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOVER A DRONE POST-CRASH
In event a drone crashes or otherwise fails, it is the owner’s responsibility to retrieve it. While they must not trespass in doing so, failure to try and retrieve the drone (by making contact with the property owner and seeking its return) could see the operator fined for littering.
5) DRONES MUST NEVER FLY OVER MILITARY BASES OF SIMILAR LOCATIONS WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION
A drone operator may understandably want to explore with their drone. Yet, any flights over military bases or similar buildings must be avoided. Best case scenario may only see a drone brought down out of the sky, but serious charges could also be involved.
Given the maritime nature of our region, a similar guideline applies to commercial vessels. It’s unlikely the owner of a 6-foot fishing boat out to catch some tuna on Sunday would pursue legal action for a flyover, but a cruise ship or international freighter may. A drone operator is wise to follow the same guidelines for use at sea as is done on land.
ALL SET FOR TAKEOFF
As we’ve discussed prior, the tourism industry in the Caribbean is set to experience considerable change in the years ahead. The chief question for all who work within it across the region is how to ensure that change is one that is positive and beneficial? As opposed to one that sees global headwinds sweep through and diminish business and profitability.
Undoubtedly, the Caribbean family has the potential to face this trial head on. Many entrepreneurs and businesses across our region have not only pioneered innovations, but also made it an ongoing feature of their business model. The greater use of drones to not only promote local tourism, but also draw more people to the region specifically for drone use is a great way to diversify a business model. This is true not only for large businesses, but also small business (and even individuals) who wish to start a side hustle selling drone footage.
Drones not only offer an effective and economical way to make a tourism operator standout, but are also finding new use in conservation and public safety efforts. Our team at The STAR will continue to watch with interest the growth of drone use across our region accordingly.
