Drone Pilot Jobs in Leeds
CAA-credentialed and want a steady property pipeline with the Dales on your doorstep? Leeds is the commercial heart of Yorkshire.
What you can earn in Leeds
Leeds gives pilots a property-led market with useful variety. The financial district and the Leeds Dock and South Bank regeneration zones drive commercial work, the large student housing pipeline produces a reliable late-summer rush before the September letting cycle, and Channel 4's HQ plus a growing production scene add broadcast briefs. The Yorkshire Dales sit within easy reach for tourism and estate content. Most of central Leeds is outside the airport FRZ, so flights are quick to plan and weather and venue access are usually your limiting factors.
Typical earnings
GBP 100 to 350 for a commercial property shoot and GBP 475 to 1,400 for a construction or survey visit. You keep 90%, before payment processing fees.
Charter fees that companies in Britain publish on their own websites, measured August 2026. The number of companies behind each figure is in the earnings question below.
We take a 10% platform commission. Standard payment processing fees (Stripe) apply and are charged separately from the commission.
Jobs you would take on in Leeds
Financial District Property
Office and mixed-use buildings around Wellington Place, Park Row, and the financial core commission aerial content for letting agents and developers. Many shoots are timed for low-occupancy weekends.
Student Housing and PBSA Marketing
Leeds has one of the UK's largest student populations and a constant pipeline of purpose-built student accommodation. Developers and operators commission drone marketing in late summer to support the September letting cycle.
Leeds Dock and South Bank Regeneration
Major regeneration around Leeds Dock, Aire Park, and the South Bank generates regular construction monitoring work plus completed-build marketing. Monthly cadences are typical for active sites.
Qualifications you need for Leeds drone work
The UK CAA framework applies: an Operator ID and Flyer ID, plus an Operational Authorisation for most commercial work near people or buildings. Broadcast work for Channel 4 and the production companies usually expects an A2 CofC or full GVC with production-grade insurance. Most central Leeds is outside the Leeds Bradford Airport FRZ, which covers the north-west of the city, so the airspace rarely blocks you. Headingley and Elland Road become temporary restricted airspace on event days, and Dales National Park has its own takeoff restrictions.
Looking to hire a pilot in Leeds instead? See drone services in Leeds.
Before you fly, check conditions with the free planner: Live weather, daylight and airspace zones for Leeds.
How Terasor works
Create your free pilot profile
List your drone, certifications, and territory so clients can match you to the right work.
Browse and bid on charters
Clients post jobs; you submit a price and a proposed date, or upload footage directly on fixed-price charters.
Get paid, keep 90% before fees
Payment is held in escrow and released once the client reviews your footage.
Want the full picture? Learn how Terasor works for pilots.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I earn as a drone pilot in Leeds?
A commercial property shoot is GBP 100 to 350, measured in August 2026 from 14 companies in Britain publishing their own prices, and a construction or survey visit is GBP 475 to 1,400, from 7. Those are what the client pays. Quoted per project instead, because the operators doing it publish no rate: broadcast work to a channel or production specification. The student housing cycle clusters property work into late summer. You set your own price when you bid, the client pays into escrow, and you keep 90% of the charter price, before payment processing fees.
Do I need an Operational Authorisation to take jobs in Leeds?
For most commercial work near people or buildings, yes, on top of the Operator ID and Flyer ID baseline. Broadcast briefs generally want an A2 CofC or GVC plus production insurance. Because central Leeds airspace is open, your credentials and reel matter more than clearance access for winning the better work.
What types of drone jobs are most common in Leeds?
Financial-district commercial property, purpose-built student accommodation marketing, Leeds Dock and South Bank regeneration documentation, TV production and broadcast, and Yorkshire Dales tourism and estate content. Property is the steady base, with broadcast and tourism layered on.
How does bidding work on Terasor?
On Quote-Based charters you submit a GBP price and a date and the client chooses a bid. On Fixed-Price charters the fee is set and you upload footage to claim it. Funds are held in Stripe escrow and released to you, minus the flat 10%, once the client reviews your deliverables.
Can I fly drones during a Headingley Test or at Elland Road?
Not during fixtures, because Headingley becomes temporary restricted airspace for international cricket and Rhinos rugby, and Elland Road has the same provision on match days. Outside fixtures both venues can grant permission for non-event flights. Pilots who plan stadium shoots for quiet weekdays and arrange venue permission early are the ones who land this work.