Hire a Professional Drone Pilot in London and the UK
Our CAA-licensed & SORA-approved drone crew combines over a decade of cinematography experience with deep knowledge of drone operations, delivering cinematic aerials for film, TV and commercial productions in London and across the UK.
Our lead drone pilot Jack T. Smith has been operating drones since 2014, beginning on the very first DJI Inspire, and has been delivering cinematic shots for Film & TV ever since. Check out his IMDb here.
Every aerial visual is crafted with a filmmaker’s eye to integrate seamlessly with ground camera work and the overall creative vision. See our full range of drone pilot hire packages for London & the UK.
CAA-licensed drone pilots in London
With more than 10 years of aerial cinematography experience, we’re trusted by clients in film, TV, fashion and advertising. We’re filmmakers first, drone pilots second.
We operate professional drone systems from Netflix-grade DJI Inspire 3s and heavy-lift Alta X to the compact Mavic 4 Pro and FPV drones. Whether your production requires cinematic heavy-lift capabilities or agile close-quarters flying, we’ve got it covered.
Plus, we always arrive with 2x drones minimum in case of a bird strike, often bringing a third back-up sub-250g drone for recon purposes.
Our Inspire 3 crew packages scale with your shoot:
- Drone Pilot + Inspire 3 Package
- Drone Pilot + Gimbal Operator Inspire 3 Package
- Drone Pilot + Focus Puller + Gimbal Operator Inspire 3 Package
Restricted airspace and permissions
Shooting aerials in London and across the UK isn’t simple. Restricted zones, flight permissions and tight shoot schedules demand experience and precision.
Our CAA-certified & SORA-approved drone team regularly unlocks flight permissions in UK restricted zones, handling everything from risk assessments and NOTAMs to CAA flight planning and insurance cover. We’re fully insured with £10M public liability.
Read how we secured permissions to fly over Waterloo Bridge, and how we use RTK drone filming for repeatable aerial shots.
Inspire 3 hire, no pilot required
Have your own licensed pilot? You can also hire the DJI Inspire 3 as a dry hire, with no pilot required, along with supporting accessories from our drone hire range.
Work with experienced filmmakers, not just drone operators
When you hire Moonshine Film’s drone team, you’re hiring professionals who understand composition, story and motion, not just technicians who can operate a drone. Our experience ensures every aerial shot adds visual and narrative depth to your project.
View our drone portfolio to see our aerial cinematography across London and the UK.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between the Inspire 3 and the Mavic?
The Inspire 3 supports multiple lenses, dual operators and Netflix-grade image quality. The Mavic 3/4 Pro is smaller, faster to deploy and perfect for lightweight travel setups.
Can you film in restricted London airspace?
Yes. We handle CAA applications, safety documentation and local authority clearances, ensuring full compliance while keeping your shoot on schedule.
Are your drone pilots licensed and insured?
Yes. All operators are CAA-certified and SORA-approved, and we’re fully insured with £10M public liability.
Do you provide ground crews too?
Yes. Our drone department is part of a larger camera and crew rental house, offering DOPs, gimbal operators and camera assistants to provide complete production support.
Do you also provide drones for rental without pilots?
Yes. You can hire the DJI Inspire 3 with no pilot required, as well as Mavic drones, from our drone hire range.
Ready to book? Contact our team to talk through your shoot.
Written by Alfie Peter
