Drone coverage planning checklist

Drone shots depend on approvals, the site and the operator, so they are never promised before those are checked. This checklist turns your answers into a list of what is settled, what is open and what to plan instead.

What is it for?

Many organisers ask for an aerial opening shot. The answer is rarely a simple yes or no. It depends on who flies, where, on which date, and who has agreed. This tool puts those questions in one place so you can ask the right people early.

How do I use it?

1. Enter the exact filming site and the state.
2. Add the proposed date. Leave it blank if it is not fixed.
3. Say who would fly, whether the operator has explained their approvals, and whether you have a venue or landowner contact.
4. Choose the shots you would like and say whether a ground alternative exists.

How do I read the result?

Each line has a label: review, note, done or not confirmed. A review label means ask a specialist before promising anything. Not confirmed means you did not tell the tool, so it stays unknown and is never treated as a yes.

The result also lists the questions still open and a ground alternative for each shot you chose. Copy it, download it or print it to share with the venue and the operator.

What are the assumptions and limits?

• It never decides authorisation or eligibility. Weight, altitude and drone model are not used.
• Approval status is what you enter. The tool cannot check a permit.
• The 14 working day figure comes from CAAM guidance for standard applications. It counts weekdays only.
• Guidance changes. Read the current CAAM page and ask the relevant state agency before you rely on anything here.

A worked example

This is an illustrative example. You plan a launch in Kota Kinabalu on a date two weeks away, want an opening shot and a crowd shot, and have no approvals started or venue contact.

The result flags the state-authorisation question for Sabah, the short lead time, the missing approval, the missing venue contact and flight near people. It suggests a high vantage point and a stage-edge lens as ground alternatives. Nothing is marked as approved.

When should I message us?

Message us once you have a site and a rough date. We will say what we can confirm for your event and agree a ground alternative with you. Read our drone coverage guide for the wider decision and the event drone footage service for what is involved. The filming and publication responsibilities checklist and the venue filming questions checklist cover the other approvals.