Page 20 - LandscapeSA Issue 108

TECHNOlOGY FEATuRE

ARE DRONES THE LATEST TOOL

FOR THE lANDSCApING INDuSTRY?

BY BETH HYATT pRESlEY, TOTAl lANDSCApE CARE

Photo: Unsplash

Over the last few years, drone rones are typically operated from the ground and fly or hover in
the sky to provide aerial views to the operators. They are referred
technology has been successfully Dto as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and when they are paired
used in the agricultural sector but with a remote control and two-way communication, the whole thing is
considered an unmanned aerial system (UAS).
landscape professionals can also Drones are lightweight and highly manoeuvrable, and can be operated
benefit greatly from their use - be either by remote control or a smartphone. Depending on the model, they
it for photography, videography can typically fly for almost an hour on a single charge.

or project area scouting. There are Recently, landscape and lawn care professionals have found ways to harness
the ease and handiness of drones in their everyday work. Drones can play
many ways to take advantage of an important role in project presentation, as they allow landscapers to see
an entire setting in context, within a continuous moving image. They can
the technological advances drones also help in the safety assessment of job sites and check the effectiveness
bring to the table. of irrigation and other practices.
In addition, they can also be used by landscapers to collect unique aerial
photographs and videos. So far, the most popular uses for drones in
landscaping has been for promotional purposes. They can also provide
real time videos and photos of projects underway, site surveying and

DRONE LAWS IN SOUTH AFRICA
According to South Africa’s national aviation authority, the South • drone pilots must maintain a visual line of contact with their
African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA), flying a drone is legal in drones at all times while in flight;
South Africa but users must be aware of and compliant with the • drones may only be flown during daylight hours; and
following regulations: • the use of drones inside and over national parks is prohibited.
• drones may not be flown 10 km or closer to an airport without
special permission from the SACAA; For more information on South Africa’s drone laws, visit the
• drones weighing more than 7 kg may not be flown; SACAA website http://www.caa.co.za/Pages/RPAS/Remotely%20
• drones may not be flown within 50 metres of people or private Piloted%20Aircraft%20Systems.aspx
property, without permission from the property owner;

18 Landscape SA • Issue 108 2021