What a year 2024 has been – the busiest year to date with some incredible projects undertaken. 

Commercial.

I continue to be the drone pilot for La Grande Mare development, and this year we have seen significant progress on the Golf Course and the new Country Club. It is a real pleasure to be involved in this project and to work alongside all their business professionals. We have seen some massive progress at the new quarry at Chouet, being able to capture the first ‘blast’ in October. Drone surveys are done on a weekly basis for the client. 

2024 was also a year to work alongside two estate agents, one in Guernsey and the other in Alderney. 

Personal.

It has been a real pleasure to be working with The National Trust of Guernsey this year, and to have been allowed by The Director of Civil Aviation to drone the annual event, Le Viaėr Marchi (congested event). We were extremely lucky to have good weather and as always, this attracted a huge turnout of people, both locals and visitors. What a day, and the drone footage can be seen at this link.

The West Show took place in August this year. As well as having my ‘drone desk’ – selling merchandise, it was a pleasure to fly the drone for the committee to capture some superb footage from the air. Thanks again to The Director of Civil Aviation for allowing me to fly at a large, congested event!

Weddings. 

To drone a wedding requires some detailed planning, not to mention to keep your fingers crossed for good weather on the day. Beach weddings have been popular in 2024 and thanks to those customers who have chosen my business to capture their special day with the drone. I look forward to doing more weddings in 2025 where a number of bookings are already in the diary!

Markets. 

This is not only a good source of drone business, but an opportunity to meet both local and visiting folk and sell my products. In 2024 we saw the launch of the first market at Earlswood Garden Centre. Held approximately monthly, us stall holders have formed a lovely working relationship and the market itself has proved to be very popular. 

In September 2024, as well as selling canvas prints, I took the decision to sell other products such as coasters, key rings, fridge magnets, greeting cards and 2025 drone calendars. I did not anticipate that these items would prove to be extremely popular – I have lost count of numbers of sales, but from September to the end of December 2024 I have sold over 1,200 coasters and 150+ calendars.

2024 was unprecedented with personal commissions, mainly on residential properties where the customer has commissioned me to take an aerial photo to be transferred onto a canvas print. There have been several projects which have carried on for months; demolition and rebuild of properties using the drone and Time-lapse cameras. 

Retail. 

Thanks for the continued support of The Guernsey Information Centre, Visitor Information Supervisor, Edward Mann for allowing me to exclusively sell my drone products in the centre. In 2024, following a visit to Alderney, I also now sell exclusively my Alderney drone products in Sew Much Fun. Sales there this year have been terrific, especially with coasters, place mats and 2025 Alderney drone calendars. 

I wish to take this opportunity to thank you all for your support in 2024 and look forward to another successful year in 2025. 

All my best,

Fred