About us
Bristol Drone Operator
We're a fully licensed, CAA approved UK drone company providing high end aerial cinematography and photography services. Collectively, our team has accrued decades of experience working in the film, tv and photographic industries and we all know our way around a busy set. We're all technology nerds at heart, with very high standards and an obsession with cinematography and the arts, not to mention flying...
Flying is in our blood
As a company we're very familiar with the world of aviation. Our head pilot is BNUC-S and BMFA certified, with a background flying full size aeroplanes and 3D helicopters. He was also a professional filmmaker and photographer before setting up Beehive Aerial. The fusion of all these bespoke disciplines and our extensive background in film and aviation make Beehive Aerial a competent, safe and reliable aerial drone unit.
Safe, Professional and REliable Drone unit
It goes without saying that safety is very important doing what we do, so we won't fly in conditions which we think could be dangerous. But we do have the confidence and skills required to fly hard and push the envelope in order to get all those dynamic and exciting shots that you might want! We have a specialist, CAA approved insurance policy with comprehensive Aviation and Public Liability cover in place and every shoot is planned and conducted with the utmost care. We'll complete a risk assessment, site survey and pre-flight checks before every job so we can fly with confidence on the day, safe in the knowledge that we're not putting anyone or anything in harms way.
Shotover U1 Cinema Drone
The ultimate heavy Lift machine
We are currently one of the only companies in the UK to offer the Shotover U1, through a partnership with our friends at Flying Glass. The U1 is ultimate system for high end cinema applications. Weighing in at 40KG fully laiden, the Shotover U1 is a serious piece of hardware. You get full camera and lens control via a proprietary Shotover gimbal control system - the same technology that Shotover utilises in their full size, world class helicopter gimbals. The powerful Shotover G1 gimbal can accommodate a range of heavy camera and lens options, so we can fly high end cinema setups at high speeds, in areas inaccessible by helicopters, with negligible degradation to stability. To put it simply, the Shotover U1... is a beast!
Aircraft & Equipment
Shotover u1
Weighing in at 40KG fully laiden, the Shotover U1 is a serious piece of hardware. You get full camera and lens control via a proprietary Shotover gimbal control system - the same technology that Shotover utilises in their full size, world class helicopter gimbals. The powerful G1 gimbal can accommodate a range of heavy camera and lens options, so we can fly high end cinema setups at high speeds, in areas inaccessible by helicopters, with negligible degradation to stability. This amazing machine is availalbe through a partnership with our friends at Flying Glass.
Freefly Alta 8
The world class Alta 8 hooks up to the MōVI Pro gimbal to offer unparalleled stability and maneuverability in the heavy lift class. This setup carries high end cinema cameras with a number of prime or zoom lens options making it the perfect choice for high end Film or Drama productions if you're looking to fly something like an Arri Alexa Mini, Red Monstro or Sony F55. We can also provide an Arri Alexa Mini, a set of Zeiss Standard Speed lesnes and RT Motion lens control system among other optional extras on request.
DJI Inspire 2
The DJI Inspire 2 is a total game changer. With a choice of 2 camera systems, the Inspire 2 is packed full of incredible features such as a high speed sport mode allowing flight of up to 60mph, internal Cinema DNG and Prores recording at up to 6K, a Super 35 sensor and a range of Hasselblad lenses. Perfect for indoor and outdoor flights, the Inspire 2 is the is a real workhorse, with image quality that’s compared favourably to high end cinema cameras.
DJI S900 Pixhawk
Our S900 is a versatile aerial system which incorporates a state of the art Gremsy T3 gimbal. This is usually equipped with either a Sony A7Rii or A7Sii but can also carry a Panasonic GH5 or similar. The S900 features Pixhawk Flight controller which offers advanced flight planning using GPS waypoint technology, making it an ideal playform for carrying out exactly the same manoeuvres more than once, or for autonomous, precise and complex routes.
DJI Mavic 2 Pro
The Mavic 2 Pro is a very capable little drone with the ability to record up to 4K video as 10 bit h.265 files. It has a fixed lens but there are 2 different 4K sensor crop modes which allow for two different focal lengths. The Mavic 2 is perfect for close proximity flying in tight spaces, especially indoors, where it’s impossibly smooth flight performance and stability means it can carry out controlled and precise manoeuvres without the need for a second crew member.
