EASA-Certified
·
500+ Projects
·
2-Day Turnaround
Mission Planning

How We Plan Every
Drone Mission

Every flight requires careful planning. We follow a defined process for safe, legal operations – from first contact through final delivery. Each mission respects airspace regulations, manages your project risk, and delivers the data you need.

Last updated: April 2026

Individual Risk Assessment
ATC Coordinated
EASA Compliant
MISSION PLANNING
Drone surveying mission planning using UGCS software
Individual
Risk Assessment
ATC
Coordinated
EASA
Compliant
Weather
Monitored
Full
Documentation

What We Need From You

To plan your mission effectively, we gather four key pieces of information – allowing us to assess feasibility, identify risks, and confirm all legal and airspace requirements.

Project Brief
Tell us what you want to achieve with your drone operation. Are you mapping a site, inspecting a structure, monitoring construction progress, or capturing promotional content? We assess feasibility, safety, and legality for every brief.
Location & Eircode
Provide the exact location and Eircode for your site. Knowing whether the area is urban, rural, or near an airport helps us identify airspace restrictions, coordinate with ATC if needed, and assess environmental factors.
Proposed Date
Let us know your target date or timeframe. This helps us check availability, assess seasonal weather patterns, and identify any date-specific airspace constraints or scheduling challenges before planning begins.
Deliverables Required
Specify what outputs you need: high-resolution photos, video footage, orthomosaic maps, 3D models, LiDAR surveys, or thermal imaging. Different deliverables require different equipment, flight planning, and post-processing.

How We Price Projects

Our pricing reflects the complexity of planning and execution. Every quote includes all planning, permissions, ATC coordination, and post-processing – no hidden fees.

Our Planning Process

Every mission follows a structured five-step process ensuring legal compliance, risk mitigation, and mission success.

01

Initial Consultation

We begin by reviewing your brief in detail, confirming the mission is feasible and safe, and discussing your specific objectives. This clarifies scope, timelines, and any constraints before planning begins.

02

Site Assessment

We conduct a desktop survey of your location to identify potential hazards, ground obstacles, and airspace classification. This informs all subsequent planning and risk mitigation decisions.

03

Permissions & Airspace

We handle all necessary airspace coordination, including ATC liaison for controlled zones near Dublin, Cork, and Galway. NOTAM checks and Specific Category assessments ensure full EASA compliance before flight day.

04

Risk Assessment

We conduct a formal pre-flight risk assessment, evaluate weather windows, and develop contingency plans. This documented process protects your operation and ensures we fly only when conditions are optimal.

05

Mission Execution

On the day, we use UGCS autonomous flight planning software to execute precisely planned routes, maintain real-time monitoring, and enforce on-site safety protocols throughout the entire operation.

Why Choose Drone Services Ireland

EASA Specific Category Approved
Highest certification level enabling complex airspace operations, controlled zones, and urban missions that require formal regulatory approval.
Direct ATC Liaison
We manage all Air Traffic Control coordination on your behalf. You don’t need to handle these interactions – we have established relationships with Irish ATC.
UGCS Autonomous Planning
Missions are planned and executed using UGCS professional flight planning software with terrain following, waypoint accuracy, and real-time monitoring throughout.
Full Documentation
Every mission generates a full documentation trail: risk assessments, airspace permissions, NOTAM records, and compliance certificates for your project records.
Weather Monitoring
Pre-flight weather analysis is standard. If conditions are unsafe on the planned date, we reschedule – never flying when conditions fall outside safe operating limits.
€6.5M Public Liability Insurance
Comprehensive insurance meeting Tier 1 contractor requirements. All missions are fully insured from planning through to data delivery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about our drone mission planning process.

Mission planning timelines vary based on complexity. Simple operations in open areas with no airspace restrictions typically take 3–5 business days. Complex operations requiring ATC coordination and Specific Category permissions can take 1–2 weeks. We always discuss timelines upfront and deliver a clear schedule with your initial quote.

Yes. We manage all Air Traffic Control coordination on your behalf. If your site falls within controlled airspace near Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, or Shannon, we liaise directly with ATC to obtain necessary clearances. You don’t need to handle these interactions yourself.

Our pre-flight risk assessment includes detailed weather analysis. If conditions are unsafe on the planned date, we work with you to reschedule to the next suitable window. We never fly if weather conditions fall outside safe operating limits. Any rescheduled flights use the same approvals, so there’s no additional permission delay.

Urban missions require additional scrutiny. We conduct risk assessments that account for: populated areas, obstacle density, airspace proximity, emergency procedures, and public safety zones. Many urban areas require Specific Category or higher permissions, which we obtain through our EASA submission process. We never conduct operations that we cannot safely de-risk.

To provide an accurate quote, we need: a project brief describing what you want to achieve, the exact location and Eircode, your proposed date or timeframe, and the deliverables you require (photos, video, orthomosaic, 3D model, LiDAR, thermal, etc.). These details allow us to assess airspace complexity, select appropriate equipment, and calculate planning and flight time.

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This Service

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EASA & IAA certified operators
Or call us now: 087 205 2331

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