A drone has long since stopped being just for hobbyists. Last month, drones were deployed several times during rescue operations. From the air, you can quickly and easily get a picture of the surroundings. A drone is more accessible than a helicopter, which makes it ideal for use during a rescue operation. Read here how drones have saved lives in recent months.
Missing man (85) rescued on Mount Etna in Italy
In Sicily, an 85-year-old man went missing. Two Italian drone pilots came to the rescue. Using a drone, the area around the missing man's house was searched. When the man saw the drone, he started waving his walking stick to make himself known. A rescue team then picked him up and took him to hospital for a check-up.
Police drone finds missing man (89) in the Nevada desert
In the United States, a police drone with a thermal imaging camera was used to search for a missing man in the Nevada desert. During the night, the drone found a heat source that was not visible on a normal camera. It turned out to be the missing man, who could then be located in the desert by a rescue team.
Fire brigade finds missing man (75) with thermal imaging drone
In Italy too, in the town of Gravellona Toce, a drone with a thermal imaging camera was deployed in a missing person case. A man was reported missing by his family after he had not returned from his walk for several hours. By then night had fallen, so the fire brigade deployed a drone with a thermal imaging camera to track down the man – successfully.
Successful test with AI rescue drone in Germany
In Germany, a successful test was recently carried out with an AI-controlled rescue drone. When an emergency call comes in, the drone automatically flies to the location. The drone can carry equipment such as an AED so that help can be provided quickly. A successful test that makes the use of drones in emergency situations increasingly realistic.
Development of drones in professional fields
We previously wrote an article about how a drone is used as a window cleaner at the Euromast, Rotterdam. Drones are also used for ski slope management, emergency assistance for mountain hikers, and security and inspection of hard-to-reach objects.
The applications of drones keep expanding. The advantage of using a drone is speed, convenience and an element of safety. Where people used to be sent to hard-to-reach locations under safety regulations, a drone now flies there within minutes. Drones are also equipped with various technologies such as a thermal imaging camera, allowing inspections and searches to be carried out accurately.
Carrying out professional drone flights
Professional drone flights almost always fall into the specific category. This is often due to a combination of factors.
· Flying over the city or built-up areas with a heavy drone. Professional flights are often carried out with a heavier drone, often in a built-up area or in a no-fly zone.
· Flying in the dark or beyond the pilot's line of sight. Automated flights can be carried out beyond the pilot's line of sight. Night flights also fall into the specific category.
· Flying close to people is only permitted in the open category with the smallest drones. Professional flights therefore fall into the specific category.
The open category does not allow these flights to be carried out. This means you end up in the specific category. The specific category has fewer restrictions, but you do need to have the right paperwork.
Not sure which license you need?
Frequently asked questions about search operations with drones
Can I help with a search operation using my own drone?
No, not just like that. Helping with a search or rescue operation almost always means flying over people, in built-up areas or in the dark, and that falls under the specific category. This requires an operational authorisation. Leave rescue work to the emergency services and the certified operators who hold the authorisations for it.
Why does rescue work fall under the specific category?
Because the risks are greater than what the open category allows. Flying over people, in the city, in the dark or beyond the pilot's direct line of sight goes beyond the open category. The specific category exists precisely for this type of higher-risk work, with an authorisation based on a risk assessment.
What is a thermal imaging camera and why is it so important?
A thermal imaging camera (thermal camera) registers heat instead of light. A human radiates heat that stands out against a colder environment, even at night or in dense vegetation. This allows a drone to find a person who would be invisible to a regular camera or the naked eye. It's the technology that makes the difference in almost every rescue operation.
Do I need an EU drone certificate to fly a drone?
Yes. The EU Drone Certificate is the basis for almost all drone pilots. For a drone weighing 250 grams or more, the EU drone certificate itself is mandatory. Want to get started in the specific category? Then the EU Drone Certificate is the basis for the specific category training.
