After reviewing over 800 breath-taking entries, the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced four winners for its drone photography campaign and competition – #ShotOnMyDrone.
Designed to both highlight the extraordinary images that drones can capture and educate people on how to use drones safely while exploring the UK’s beautiful towns, cities, and countryside, drone users were invited to submit images to four categories: urban day, urban night, countryside, and Christmas.
- The overall winner for the competition, and of the urban night category, is Andy Wells who captured the liveliness of a Poole roundabout illuminated in the darkness by surrounding cars and buildings.
- Best countryside shot is awarded to Glen Cairns, whose photo of the Glenfinnan railway viaduct on the West Highland Line in Scotland captures the area’s astounding natural beauty.
- For the Christmas image award, Steve Banner’s shot of Little Haywood Staffordshire in December captures the town as it is covered by snow, transporting viewers back to joy of the festive period.
- Andy Betts won the urban day category for his vibrant image taken in Kent, featuring a striking rainbow of lorries.
Employees at NATS, the main air traffic control provider in the United Kingdom, also selected a winner. Matt Hoyland’s stunning photograph of the Menai Strait in North Wales will be displayed at one of their key centres.
The entries were judged by CAA Chair and keen photographer Sir Stephen Hillier; Anna Henly, an award-winning professional photographer, drone pilot and photography tutor; and Editor of the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Aerospace magazine Tim Robinson.
The winning images, all captured from 400ft or below, are exhibited at the prestigious London headquarters of the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Sir Stephen Hillier, Civil Aviation Authority Chair, said: "We’ve had over 800 entries and I’ve been absolutely amazed at the high standards that we have seen. All of the submissions, particularly those of our four winners, show what can be achieved with this incredible technology. It is also really important for the Civil Aviation Authority to sponsor a competition like this because it helps encourage responsible drone usage, while helping to ensure that drones are properly integrated in our airspace.”
Jonathan Nicholson, Assistant Director of Communications at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: “We’ve been really impressed by the stunning images submitted to the #ShotOnMyDrone competition. It shows the incredible enthusiasm and engagement from the community. As an exciting way to take pictures and explore the UK, we know that the number of drone users will continue to increase. Of course, as this community grows, it’s key is that we continue to make sure that users comply with our Dronecode, wherever they may be flying, to share our airspace safely.”
For more information on drone safety and the laws covering drone flying please go to www.caa.co.uk/drones
Media contacts
For further information and interview enquiries, please contact the CAA at 0333 103 6000 (08:30 - 17:30 Monday to Friday). Out of hours: 07789 745 636.
Alternatively, you can email on: press.office@caa.co.uk (monitored during office hours).
About the CAA
The CAA is the UK's aviation regulator. Its activities include: making sure that the aviation industry meets the highest technical and operational safety standards; preventing holidaymakers from being stranded abroad or losing money because of tour operator insolvency; planning and regulating all UK airspace; and regulating airports, air traffic services and airlines and providing advice on aviation policy.
About the Royal Aeronautical Society
As the world’s only professional body dedicated to the aerospace community, the Society exists to further the advancement of aeronautical art, science and engineering around the world.
Established in 1866, the Society has been at the forefront of developments in aerospace, seeking to promote the highest professional standards and provide a central forum for sharing knowledge.
About Anna Henly
Anna is an award-winning professional photographer (including a BBC wildlife photographer of the year winner). Edinburgh Photographer | Anna Henly Photography
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