So you want to fly a drone in the United Arab Emirates? There are a few basics to think through before you get started.
Permits
Do you need drone permits to fly in the UAE? In short, yes. It’s illegal not to have one and flying without one puts your whole production at risk of heavy fines (up to AED 100,000) and even potential jail time. But it’s not as scary as it sounds. A local professional drone company will help get your paperwork effortlessly in order and secure all of the permits/licenses you need to get flying.
Timing is also an important consideration, as it can take up to 2 weeks to secure your permit with the necessary application and approvals.
In the UAE, a Ministry of Defence (MOD) representative will always accompany your drone shoot, and their time is booked in 6-hour slots. So if you are filming at a large location, or you want to secure both sunset and sunrise shots, you may need to book additional slots with the MOD to avoid having to compromise.
To recap:
- Drone permits are essential (but we can help)
- Allow (minimum) 2 weeks for approvals
- Plan for 6-hour shooting slots
Locations
Whether you have an exact location in mind, or you are open to inspiration, the UAE has a landscape to tick every box when it comes to drone cinematography—from futuristic cityscapes and rocky mountains to dazzling blue seas and white sandy beaches.
With all that potential to play with, knowing the exact aerial filming coordinates is a critical part of your pre-production. The UAE is made up of 7 emirates, and for drone filming, they all have different governing authorities and processes. What’s more, certain locations may have additional flying restrictions (e.g. if they are near an airport, border or military zone). So although location scouting can take a while, it’s vital to ensure you have found the perfect spot before you fly.
Finally, a question we are often asked is whether multiple permits are needed when filming at several locations in one area? A good rule of thumb is that the main location on your permit will also include a 2 km radius around which you can fly. If all your locations are within that space, you’re good to go.
To recap:
- Choose your location type (city, mountains, desert, etc.)
- Know which emirate you’re in
- Check no fly zones (airports, offshore, etc.)
- Try keep drone filming contained to a 2 km radius
Hardware
So you know the permit process, you have your locations, and you’re all set to fly, except… which drone is best for your production?
That’s where the geeks come in, and at Drones by Nomad, ours are always eager to put their 15+ years of experience towards planning that out. We work with a wide variety of drones, from full-sized drones for big-budget shoots, to the versatile DJI Inspire 2, as well as small, nimble FPV drones for energetic and immersive action shots.
To recap:
- Our geeks (drone operators) are here to help
Costs
OK, this all sounds great, but how much is it going to cost?
Different Emirates have different permit requirements and costs, but the ranges below should help when it comes to budgeting for your drone shoot.
- Drone crew and equipment hire—depending on the drone and the size of the crew, prices can range between AED 5,000–AED 20,000 a day
- Permits—a full day’s aerial filming in most emirates will cost between AED 5,000–AED 10,000 per day (Although this number can be higher, depending on the number of locations and the length of your filming day)
- Production companies—additional fees will be applied for drone licenses, permits and operation, so please get in touch so we can help plan your shoot to match your budget
Time to Fly
These are the essential points to consider when planning a drone-film production. But the most important thing is not to let the logistics distract you from your creative vision. The good news is that the best drone companies have been through the process many times and are here to help.
And we’re able to put our 15+ years’ of experience making high-end films in the region, towards getting your film off the ground. To find out how, email us at info@dronesbynomad.com or call +971 (0)4 551 5368.