COMPETENT drone pilots based in the Swindon area are sought for a new group that uses the tiny aircraft to search for missing dogs.

Drone SAR For Lost Dogs UK, the idea of pilots and dog owners Craig Timblin and Graham Burton, has already gathered volunteers all over the country but needs people to cover this area.

Craig, who is Civil Aviation Authority qualified and runs a drone photography and film services firm in Devon, was called in to help in the search for retired guide dog Indy, who went missing in July while on a walk in Torquay.

“While I was out I had this idea and wondered if it could be done more frequently for missing dogs,” he told the Advertiser.

He had already seen them used as search and rescue tools by the police and other emergency services and was sure they could be just as useful helping to locate dogs that had run off.

At the same time another pilot on the search, Graham Burton from Wales had the same idea of setting up a group of pilots. So the Drone SAR For Lost Dogs UK Facebook group was started.

“Just over a month later we have registered our 140th pilot,” he said. “It has taken off a lot faster than I thought it would.”

Now there are volunteer UAV fliers in locations all over the UK ready to go out and help search for missing pets.

Craig believes the use could also help to combat negative attitudes towards drones, especially when people realise how much the pilots can see and how much ground they can cover. “This is a really good use of the technology,” he said.

He has also learned useful techniques from dog behaviourists on what to do if a dog is spotted. “There is a common misconception that if you see a dog running you start to call it. Then it runs away.” But experts suggest sitting down and looking away from the dog, which is probably frightened.

Being able to put a drone up in the area also gives the searchers a better idea of where to concentrate their efforts. “We’ve had a couple of successes,” he said. “We’re not able to attribute anything straight to the drone yet.” But pilots have reported seeing something in an area and missing pets have later been found.

Commercial pilots and hobbyists are welcome but their UAVs must be flown according to CAA guidelines. Potential volunteers can register their interest through the Facebook group.