From Hobby to High Stakes: What Gets Surveyors Using Drones in Trouble

Adam Bailey was there when drones first entered the built environment, and he's watched the entire industry evolve around him. As Head of Specialist Surveys at Earl Kendrick, Adam joins Nina Young to talk about how drone technology has transformed the way surveyors work, why regulation and professional standards are being outpaced by poor practice, and what AI actually means for the future of the profession. From photogrammetry and thermal imaging to the very real risks of cutting corners with technology, this is a conversation about where surveying is headed and what it takes to do it properly. What We Cover 00:00 Insights from Adam Bailey's Journey in Drone Surveying 05:27 Developments in the Drone Industry 10:15 Navigating Drone Regulation, Safety, and Insurance 19:07 Understanding Drone Categories and Weight Limits 22:19 The Importance of Training and Risk Assessment 23:33 Airspace Restrictions and Compliance 26:55 AI's Role in Drone Technology 30:31 Challenges of AI in Drone Operations 34:08 Training and Certification for Drone Operators 42:41 The Evolution of Drone Photogrammetry 44:27 Education and Awareness in Surveying 47:21 Understanding Limitations and Restrictions 49:10 Thermal Imaging: Myths and Realities 51:21 Safety, Legality, and Morality in Drone Operations 55:44 From Pioneer to Present: What Still Needs to Change Guest Links Adam Bailey:   / adambaileydronesurveyor   Earl Kendrick: https://earlkendrick.com/ Useful Links Air Safety Map: https://airsafetymap.com/ CAA Drone Guidance: https://www.caa.co.uk/drones/ Atoll Done Management System: https://atollds.com/ Moonrock Drone Insurance: https://www.moonrockinsurance.com/ Global Drone Training: https://globaldronetraining.com/ Geo Business: https://www.geobusinessshow.com/ Digital Construction Week: https://www.digitalconstructionweek.com/ Guest Bio Adam Bailey is Head of Specialist Surveys at Earl Kendrick and has been working in the drone surveying sector since the early days of commercial drone use within the UK built environment industry. Originally coming from a background in block management and surveying, Adam founded one of the first specialist drone surveying businesses focused on property inspections and building surveys. He has also been involved in shaping standards and industry discussions around drone operations, safety, and regulation. Adam specialises in drone inspections, photogrammetry, thermal imaging, and surveying technology, with a strong focus on professionalism, compliance, and education within the sector. This Is Surveying is a video podcast from Surveyors UK. We share conversations, stories, and practical insight from across the profession. We highlight the people behind surveying, the challenges they face, and the opportunities shaping the UK built and natural environment. Join The Surveying Room Our free independent community for surveyors and students across the UK. A dedicated space to connect, learn, and keep up with the profession without noisy algorithms or ads. Join here: https://www.surveyors-uk.com/ Stay in the loop – LinkedIn, Surveyors UK:   / nina-young-surveyors-uk   – LinkedIn, Nina Young:   / nina-young-surveyors-uk   – Instagram:   / surveyors_uk   – Facebook Page:   / surveyorsuk   – Website: https://www.surveyors-uk.com/ – Email: [email protected] About Surveyors UK Surveyors UK is an independent digital media and community platform. We help surveyors stay connected, informed, and visible. We bring together residential, commercial, QS, land and geospatial, rural, heritage, and many other areas of the profession. Learn more: https://www.surveyors-uk.com/ Support the podcast – Subscribe to the channel – Share an episode – Comment with your thoughts or guest ideas Listen to the podcast Prefer audio or want to follow future episodes on your app Podcast page: https://thisissurveying.buzzsprout.com