One pilot, one standard: do it properly.
StrataGrid is a small Southampton drone business run by Ewa Cielepa. Every job is planned, flown and delivered by the same person, so you always know who you're dealing with.
Ewa's story
I'm a registered children's nurse in Southampton. I started as a healthcare assistant, then trained as a nursing associate and qualified as a registered nurse in 2024. Before nursing, my first career was as a court secretary in Poland, so careful paperwork has always come naturally.
Drones started as a hobby. The more I learned, the more I saw that flying commercially isn't about nice photos. It's about site safety, airspace, permissions and managing risk, the same discipline I use every day on the ward: assess, follow the procedure, double-check, then act.
That's how StrataGrid works. Anyone can fly a drone; I fly mine safely, legally, and with no hassle for you.
I speak English, Polish and Italian.
What that means for you
- One point of contact from first email to final photos
- Every flight planned and risk-assessed in writing
- All permissions arranged for you, and confirmed in writing before we fly
- Honest advice, including when a drone isn't the right tool for the job
- Clear, labelled results you can pass straight to your roofer, surveyor or architect
Qualified, registered and insured.
Ask to see any of these before your job. We're happy to send copies.
CAA registered operator
StrataGrid is registered with the UK Civil Aviation Authority. Our Operator ID is shown on every drone we fly.
Operator ID: GBR-OP-H7FLZTPGWKRQ
A2 Certificate of Competency
The CAA qualification for flying closer to people and property in the Open Category. Valid until 2031.
£1m public liability insurance
Commercial drone insurance through FPV UK, covering every flight we make.
Remote Pilot Certificate (RPC-L1)
The next level of UK drone qualification. Theory exam passed; practical assessment booked for November 2026.
Our own operations manual
Written procedures for planning, flying, emergencies and record-keeping. Open Category flying doesn't require one, but we follow it on every job.
DJI Matrice 4TD
An IP55 weather-sealed enterprise drone with thermal and zoom cameras, adding thermal inspections, mapping and light-rain flying.