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Drone coverage

Drone footage at your event: what to plan first

Aerial shots sound great, but you are unsure they are allowed or worth the effort.

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Share your date and area, and we will suggest coverage and confirm what is possible.

In short

  • Treat drone footage as an option that depends on permission, place and weather.
  • Ask early, because the approval process has its own lead time.
  • Agree ground-based shots as a backup before the day.
  • Crowds, restricted areas and Sabah or Sarawak need extra checks.

Drone footage can add an opening shot or a view of a large venue, but it is never certain. Treat it as an option that depends on permission, place and weather, and plan the event so it still works without it.

Do you need drone footage at all?

Ask what an aerial shot would add that a ground shot cannot. A wide view of a large outdoor event or a resort can help. At an indoor ceremony it usually does not. Our guide on whether your event needs drone footage helps you weigh it.

What drone footage depends on

Dependency What to ask
Approval Has the flight been approved for this place and date?
Venue and landowner Does the owner agree to a flight over or near the site?
People nearby Will crowds or restricted areas be under or near the flight?
Weather and light What is the backup if wind or rain stops the flight?
State Does the event fall in Sabah or Sarawak, where extra authorisation applies?

CAAM (the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia) says standard drone applications should be made at least 14 working days before the activity, and that Sabah and Sarawak need additional authorisation. Always check the current timeline. Our guide on lead time for a drone application explains how to plan around it. For events in those states, see the guides for Sabah and Sarawak.

Plan a backup before the day

A flight can be stopped even after it is booked. Agree a ground alternative, such as a high camera position, and how the quote treats the change. Our guide on what happens when a booked drone flight cannot proceed lists the points to settle.

What to confirm when drone footage is part of your video

Say what the aerial shots are for, which film they go into, and who holds the approvals. The guide on drone footage in an event video package lists what to confirm. The drone planning checklist turns it into questions you can answer before you enquire.

For the service itself, see event drone footage.

If you would like to know whether aerial shots are realistic for your date and place, send us the venue and date. Drone footage is available on request, and we confirm what is possible for each event.

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Sources

  1. CAAM, Unmanned Aircraft System, checked 2026-10-06

Checked on the date shown. Rules and venue requirements change, so confirm them for your own event.

Guides in this topic

Start with these

More guides on this topic

Does your event need drone footage?

Not every event needs aerial shots. See when a drone adds real value, when ground cameras are enough, and how to weigh cost, permission and risk before you ask.

Read the guide →

Useful next steps

Event video planning guides

Plain guides for deciding what event video you need, how to plan coverage, compare quotes and handle permissions. Start with the topic closest to your decision.

Questions people ask

Can we add drone footage on short notice?
Usually not. CAAM guidance says standard drone applications should be made at least 14 working days before the activity, and Sabah and Sarawak need extra authorisation. Check the current timeline with the operator. Last-minute requests often cannot be approved, so we also plan ground shots as an alternative.
Who is responsible for the permissions?
The flight must be approved before it goes ahead, and the venue or landowner may also need to agree. We tell you what we need from you and what is still unconfirmed, and a flight goes ahead once the approvals are in place.
What happens if the flight cannot go ahead?
Weather, wind, a crowd, a restricted area or a late refusal can stop a flight. Agree in advance what replaces it, for example a high ground shot, and how the quote treats the change. Do this before the event, not on the day.
Can we use drone footage we already have?
Sometimes. The footage must be relevant to the event, and you must have permission to use it. It should not be presented as filmed on the day. We can check whether it fits your film.

Planning an event? Let’s talk it through.

If you would like to know whether aerial shots are realistic for your date and place, send us the venue and date. Drone footage is available on request, and we confirm what is possible for each event.

Share your date and area, and we will suggest coverage and confirm what is possible.

WhatsApp usUse the short enquiry form
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