About Skykam
Drone surveyors who fly.
Since 2020 Skykam has given engineers, contractors and public bodies aerial survey data backed by independent checks. That still shapes every job we take on.
01Our view
Dronesmadeaerialcapturecheap.Theydidn’tmakeitaccurate.Accuracystillcomesfromcontrol,checkingandhonestreporting—theunglamorouspartsofsurveyingthatwe’vebuiltthecompanyaround.
- GVC-qualified drone pilot
- Former RAF engineer
- 20+ years in technical project delivery
- Retained firefighter
02Who you’ll work with
James LeslieOwner · Sales & Operations
James owns Skykam and runs its operations day to day, from the first scoping call to signing off the data before it leaves.
He trained as an engineer in the Royal Air Force, where aviation discipline is second nature: checklists, maintenance records and a safety culture that does not cut corners. Skykam flies the same way, with every mission planned, briefed and logged.
Before Skykam, James spent more than two decades managing technical projects and service operations, including high-value service contracts for X-ray cargo scanning systems in conflict zones. That work demanded careful planning, reliable equipment and calm decisions under pressure.
He holds the CAA General Visual Line of Sight Certificate (GVC), studied at the University of Dundee, and serves as a retained firefighter in his community, where he has also used drones to help map routes and hazards at a hospital site.
What that means for your project
Aviation-grade safety
Flights planned, briefed and logged to the standard of an engineer trained in the RAF. RAMS written by someone who has worked in safety-critical environments.
Engineering rigour
Data is checked against independent control before it is issued, and any limitations are stated plainly in the report.
A programme that holds
Twenty years of delivering technical contracts, some in very difficult environments, means realistic plans and early warning if anything changes.
One accountable owner
James plans, oversees and signs off every survey, so you deal with the person responsible for your data, not a sales team relaying messages.
03Principles
How we work.
01
Surveyors first, pilots second
The aircraft is a tool. What matters is control, checking and a drawing an engineer can trust. Our team is built around engineering and survey discipline, not aviation enthusiasm.
02
Say what we measured
Every report states the accuracy achieved on your site, with the evidence. If an area is less reliable — under trees, over water — we mark it.
03
Fit your workflow
Your coordinate system, feature codes, layers and formats. We adapt to how your team works, not the other way round.
04
Answer the phone
You’ll speak to someone who plans and processes surveys, from first call to final issue.
Client reviews
What clients say.
5.0 on Google reviews
“By far the best Drone Surveying Company that I have used. Responsive, helpful and the quality of their reports is on the money. They are also knowledgeable of what they are surveying and are extremely diligent in highlighting building defects outside of the scope. I have undertaken 10+ projects with them to date and if you are looking for a problem free contractor that produces what is requested then you won't be disappointed in selecting SkyKam.”
“I have used Skykam on numerous occasions for aerial shots on sites I have been inspecting for my work. I have always been impressed with how professional and skilled they are. Their attention to detail is second to none and I have always found Skykam to be very committed to delivering exactly what the customer wants.”
“Fantastic company to do business with. I have now been working with James at Skykam since early 2021 and it has been an absolute pleasure working with one another.”
“We had James and he was very helpful. He provided a very professional and accommodating service. Clear communication and the results were as expected.”
01Why Skykam
Everydesigndecisionstartswiththeground.Wecaptureitfromtheair,controlittoOSgrid,proveitagainstindependentcheckpoints—andhandyourengineers,estimatorsandplannersdatatheycansignoffagainst.
- Typical vertical RMSE
- ±20 mmTypical vertical RMSEphotogrammetry with GCPs, hard surfaces
- Surveyed from the air
- 48,000 haSurveyed from the airacross the UK
- Projects delivered
- 350+Projects deliveredfor public & private clients
- Typical capture to CAD, working days
- 5 daysTypical capture to CAD, working dayssites up to 20 ha
Trusted by teams across the public and private sector
Selected clients
Start a project
Tell us the outcome. We’ll specify the survey.
- 01We aim to reply within one hourA drone surveyor, not a salesperson, reviews your brief and calls if anything needs clarifying.
- 02Fixed quote & method statementScope, accuracy specification, deliverables, programme and RAMS — in writing.
- 03Fly, process, deliverCapture on your programme, then CAD-ready data with a verified accuracy report.