Drone hire terms

1Quotes and booking

Hire is quoted per job, because the equipment, dates, site and whether you need an operator all differ. A quote closes if it is not accepted within 7 days.

A booking is confirmed only once you have accepted the quote, we have released the agreement, you have signed it, the deposit and payment have cleared, and we have verified your identity and, for a company, the signatory's authority. When the customer is a company, the person signing may also be asked to sign a personal suretyship.

2Battery cycles

The hire fee includes 2 charge cycles per battery issued, for the whole hire. Each extra cycle is charged at R150 (including VAT) and may be taken from the deposit. We record each battery's counter at hand-over and return.

3Deposit

The deposit is security and is not a limit on what you owe. After the return check we send you an itemised statement of any deductions and refund the balance within 10 working days. You can dispute a deduction in writing within 10 working days of receiving the statement.

4Using the equipment

• The equipment stays Omnisky's property. No lending, sub-hire or taking it out of South Africa without our written approval.
• Use it only for the project, place, dates and purpose we approved.
• You are responsible for flying legally and safely: SACAA rules, airspace, permissions, site rules and privacy. If you supply the pilot, you are responsible for the pilot.
• Do not unbind, reset, update, modify or open the equipment, or change account settings, without our approval.
• Handle batteries with care: approved chargers only, no heat, water, impact or forced charging.

5Hand-over, return and late return

We record the equipment, serial numbers, condition and battery counters at hand-over and at return. Report a defect within two hours of first use. Return everything complete and on time; extensions must be approved in writing before the return time, and unapproved late returns are charged at the rate in your hire summary.

6Damage, loss and theft

From hand-over until we accept the return, you are responsible for loss, theft and damage caused by your breach, negligence or misuse, or by people you are responsible for. Repairs are charged at reasonable, documented cost; a total loss at replacement value. Report any accident, loss or theft to us immediately, and theft to the police.

7Omnisky operator

Where we supply an operator, the operator may refuse, pause or stop any flight that is unsafe, unlawful, weather-affected, restricted or outside the agreed scope.

8Cancellation and weather

Send cancellation or rescheduling requests to sales@omnisky.co.za.

• More than 48 hours before the start: amounts paid are refunded, less 10% admin.
• Within 48 hours of the start: 50% of the hire fee is kept.
• After the equipment is released: no refund.

If unsafe weather, site or airspace conditions stop a flight, we first look at rescheduling or substitute equipment.

9Insurance, data and liability

Unless we confirm otherwise in writing, you insure the project, the site, third-party liability and the equipment for the hire period. Back up your own footage; we are not liable for lost data, income or missed events. We may read flight logs and location data during the hire for safety, recovery, billing and disputes.

10Your rights

Nothing in this policy takes away your rights under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008. Where this policy and the Act disagree, the Act applies.

You can refer a complaint to the National Consumer Commission (thencc.org.za) or the Consumer Goods and Services Ombud (cgso.org.za). This policy is governed by South African law.