There are cities that reveal themselves slowly, street by street, and there are cities like Dubai that are best understood from the sky. A Dubai helicopter tour is more than a thrill ride; it's a moving map, a story told in glass and sand and sea, where the improbable geometry of an iconic city clicks into place all at once.
Lifting off feels like easing into a secret. The blades gather their shimmering rhythm, the ground exhales, and the helicopter tilts toward the coast. In seconds, the familiar becomes miniature: Sheikh Zayed Road narrows to a silver thread, towers stack like chess pieces, and the Arabian Gulf turns into a broad sheet of turquoise, edged with foam. Dubai helicopter tour downtown dubai views What photographs struggle to convey is the city's audacity-the way Dubai keeps pushing its skyline outward and upward, as if testing the edges of possibility.
Then the landmarks appear in sequence, like a curated exhibition. The Burj Al Arab floats on its man-made island, a sail frozen in full wind. Farther along, Palm Jumeirah unfurls beneath you in precise, impossible symmetry. From the ground, the Palm is a suggestion; from the air, it is an architectural mandala, each frond lined with villas, the crescent holding back the sea, Atlantis crowning the arc. Beyond it, the World Islands scatter like a cartographer's daydream. You realize how deliberate everything is here-how design and ambition have been braided together into a living city.
No matter how many times you've seen it in photos, the Burj Khalifa still steals your breath. The helicopter won't hover beside it-operations follow strict air corridors-but when the world's tallest tower rises from the earth like a glittering needle, it reorganizes the horizon. Around it, Downtown Dubai glints: the Dubai Fountain's arcs, the mall's long sweep, the Dubai Opera's dhow-inspired curves. To one side, the Dubai Frame stands like a gateway between eras; to the other, the Museum of the Future curves into a torus inscribed with calligraphy, a sculpture made habitable.
What surprised me most the first time was how clearly you can read the city's origins. Tilt inland and the color shifts-steel and glass soften into ochres and tans. The desert begins not with a hard line but a gradient, like the sea fading into deep water. Follow the Dubai Creek, and Old Dubai appears in textures rather than heights: the abras and dhows, the spice souk roofs, the low-slung courtyards that remind you this was once a humble port. From above, the old and the new don't collide as much as they converse.
Timing changes everything. At sunrise, the city wears a watercolor wash-soft gold on the Burj Khalifa, smoke-blue shadows on the Marina towers, a mirror-flat Gulf interrupted by the helicopter's reflection. Dubai helicopter tour helicopter charter . At midday, the light is surgical: every edge sharp, every window a shard. Toward sunset, the glass warms to copper, and Palm Jumeirah looks like it's been dipped in amber. In summer, humidity and heat haze can soften the view; in winter, skies often clear to a rare transparency that makes the World Islands pop out of the water like coins.
The experience itself is choreographed but never rigid. Operators brief you on safety, weigh-ins are precise, and seats are assigned for balance. Headsets keep the cabin surprisingly calm, the pilot's voice threading in with bits of orientation-there's Bluewaters Island with Ain Dubai, there's JBR, there's the Expo site fanning out like a futuristic campus. Routes vary by duration; shorter flights sweep the coastline and Palm, longer ones loop inland to catch the Frame, the Creek, sometimes skirting desert edges where the city loosens its grip.
If you're going for photographs, small choices matter. Wear dark clothing to cut window reflections. A fast shutter helps with rotor vibration; resting the lens hood gently against the glass reduces shake.
Dubai helicopter tour burj khalifa view
Dubai helicopter tour coastal views
Dubai helicopter tour anniversary experience
Dubai helicopter tour custom route
Dubai helicopter tour flexible timing
Don't chase every landmark-pick a few compositions and let them come to you. Some of the most evocative frames are wider: the Palm with the skyline stacked behind it, or the coastline curving in a way you can never see from the beach. Dubai helicopter tour burj khalifa view And remember to look up from the viewfinder. Part of the magic is simply being present as the city rearranges itself beneath you.
Dubai's helicopter tours are tightly regulated, which is exactly what you want in such a dense airspace. You'll need ID, you'll store loose items, and you'll hear a lot about safety. The machines are modern, the crews practiced, the protocols clear. Dubai helicopter tour comfortable seating If you're anxious about heights, it helps that the cabin feels more like a glass bubble than a cliff; the sense is of floating forward rather than dropping away. Motion-sensitive travelers might prefer a seat by the window where the horizon stays stable. Most operators can accommodate a range of needs, though not all flights are wheelchair accessible, so it's wise to ask in advance.
There's also the question of meaning.
Dubai helicopter tour burj khalifa view
Dubai helicopter tour vip package
Dubai helicopter tour special occasion
Dubai helicopter tour easy booking
Dubai helicopter tour palm jumeirah view
In a city often reduced to superlatives-tallest, biggest, newest-a helicopter tour becomes a way to knit those extremes into a narrative. You see how the Marina echoes the Creek's old commerce, how the Frame literalizes the city's hinge between past and future, how the desert isn't something Dubai escaped but a presence it continues to negotiate. From the air, the urban plan feels less like spectacle and more like a series of considered gestures, sometimes flamboyant, sometimes quietly functional. Dubai helicopter tour booking price
If the environmental footprint gives you pause-and it should-consider flying with operators that maintain newer, more efficient aircraft or participate in carbon offset programs. No single choice solves the equation, but conscious travel is often a matter of stacking better decisions where you can.
Cost and availability depend on season and duration. Booking ahead helps, especially for sunrise and sunset slots that sell quickly. Arrive early; the calm before takeoff heightens the experience, and you'll want the few extra minutes to let your excitement settle into clarity.
In the end, a Dubai helicopter tour endures in memory because it compresses the city into a single, coherent moment. The pattern of Palm Jumeirah, the audacity of the Burj Khalifa, the sweep of coastline, the hush of the desert fringe-these images layer into a feeling that is hard to reach from the ground. You land, the rotors spool down, the heat settles around you again, and you step back into the city's scale. But something's shifted. You carry an aerial map in your mind now, a private compass that makes every subsequent walk, taxi ride, and beach stroll feel richer. For a city built to astonish, that might be the most fitting introduction of all.
About Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
Mosque in Abu Dhabi, the U.A.E.
"Sheikh Zayed Mosque" redirects here. For other uses, see Sheikh Zayed Mosque (disambiguation).
Location within the Middle East
Show map of Middle East
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
جَامِع ٱلشَّيْخ زَايِد ٱلْكَبِيْر
View of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque from the courtyard, 2018
Religion
Affiliation
Islam
Location
Location
Abu Dhabi
Country
United Arab Emirates
Location within the UAE
Show map of United Arab Emirates
Coordinates24°24′43.2″N54°28′26.4″E / 24.412000°N 54.474000°E / 24.412000; 54.474000ArchitectureArchitectYusef AbdelkiStyleIslamicGroundbreaking1996Completed2007Construction costDhs2 billion (US$545 million)SpecificationsCapacity41,000+Length420 m (1,380 ft)Width290 m (950 ft)Dome82 domes of 7 different sizesDome height (outer)85 m (279 ft)Dome dia. (outer)32.2 m (106 ft)Minaret4Minaret height104 m (341 ft)Website
مركز جامع الشيخ زايد الكبير
The Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (Arabic: جَامِع ٱلشَّيْخ زَايِد ٱلْكَبِيْرJāmiʿ Aš-Šaykh Zāyid Al-Kabīr) is a mosque located in Abu Dhabi, the capital city of the United Arab Emirates.[1] It is the country's largest mosque, and is the key place of worship for daily Islamic prayers. There is a smaller replica of this mosque in Surakarta, a city in Indonesia.[2]
The Grand Mosque was constructed between 1994 and 2007 and was inaugurated in December 2007.[3] The building complex measures approximately 290 by 420 m (950 by 1,380 ft), covering an area of more than 12 hectares (30 acres), excluding exterior landscaping and vehicle parking. The main axis of the building is rotated about 12° south of true west, aligning it in the direction of the Kaaba in Mecca, Saudi Arabia.
The project was launched by the late president of the U.A.E., Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, who wanted to establish a structure that would unite the cultural diversity of the Islamic world with the historical and modern values of architecture and art.[4] In 2004, Sheikh Zayed died and was buried in the courtyard of the mosque.
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center (SZGMC) offices are located in the west minarets. SZGMC manages the day-to-day operations and serves as a center of learning and discovery through its educational cultural activities and visitor programs. The library, located in the northeast minaret, serves the community with classic books and publications addressing a range of Islamic subjects: sciences, civilization, calligraphy, the arts, and coins, including some rare publications. The collection comprises material in a broad range of languages, including Arabic, English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, and Korean. For two years running, it was voted the world's second favourite landmark by TripAdvisor.[5]
The Grand Mosque has been a significant destination for visiting foreign leaders during official state visits to the UAE. Notable visitors include Elizabeth II,[6] the then US Vice President Joe Biden[7] and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.[8]
Design and construction
[edit]
The mosque was built under the guidance and supervision of Sheikh Zayed, who was buried here after his death in 2004. It features 82 domes, more than 1,000 columns, 24-carat-gold gilded chandeliers and the world's largest hand-knotted carpet. The main prayer hall is dominated by one of the largest chandeliers. The mosque was designed under the management of the Syrian architect Youssef Abdelke, and three other architectural designers from Syria who completed the design and worked on developing it, Basem Barghouti, Moataz Al-Halabi, and Imad Malas.[9]
The mosque's architect Yusef Abdelki took inspiration from a number of sources: the Abu al-Abbas al-Mursi Mosque in Alexandria, designed by Mario Rossi in the 1920s;[10] the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan;[11] and other references of Persian, Mughal, and Indo-Islamic architecture. The dome layout and floorplan of the mosque was inspired by the Badshahi Mosque. Its archways are quintessentially Moorish, and its minarets classically Arab.
In a joint-venture between Italian contractors Impregilo and Rizzani de Eccher, more than 3,000 workers and 38 sub-contracting companies were conscripted in its construction. The mosque was completed under a second contract by a Joint Venture between ACC and Six Construct (part of Belgian company BESIX Group) between 2004 and 2007.[12][13][14] Natural materials were chosen for much of its design and construction due to their long-lasting qualities, including marble stone, gold, semi-precious stones, crystals and ceramics. Artisans and materials came from many countries including Syria, especially from Damascus and Aleppo, and some other countries such as India, Italy, Germany, Turkey, Pakistan, Malaysia, Iran, China, United Kingdom, New Zealand, North Macedonia and the U.A.E.[citation needed] The intricate flower mosaics decorating the courtyard was designed by the British artist Kevin Dean, who embraced Sheikh Zayed’s passionate vision to create a mosque that unites the world, as he chose flowers from the Middle East, such as Tulips, Lilys, and Irises. As inlays of colored marble form exuberant floral patterns that curl and twist gracefully from the edges towards the center adorn the courtyard. While the rest of the Sahan was inlaid with thousands of small pieces of white marble.
Dimensions and statistics
[edit]
The mosque is large enough to accommodate over 40,100 worshippers, while the main prayer hall can hold over 7,000. There are two smaller prayer halls, with a capacity of 1,500 each, one of which is the women's prayer hall.[1]
There are four minarets on the four corners of the courtyard which rise about 107 m (351 ft) in height. The courtyard, with its floral design, measures about 17,000 m2 (180,000 sq ft), and is considered to be the largest example of marble mosaic in the world.[1] The exterior and interior are adorned with white marble, giving the mosque a serene and majestic appearance. The marble is inlaid with precious stones like lapis lazuli, carnelian, amethyst, abalone shell, and mother of pearl.
Marble used in the construction included:
Sivec from Prilep, North Macedonia was used on the external cladding (115,119 m2 (1,239,130 sq ft) of cladding has been used on the mosque, including the minarets)
Lasa from Laas, South Tyrol, Italy was used in the internal elevations
Makrana from Makrana, India was used in the annexes and offices
Acquabianca and Bianco P from Italy
East White and Ming Green from China[1]
To compare, the King Faisal Mosque of Sharjah, formerly the largest mosque in Sharjah[15] and country, measures 10,000–12,000 m2 (110,000–130,000 sq ft).[16][17]
Architectural features
[edit]
The carpet in the hall is considered by many [by whom?] to be the world's largest carpet made by Iran's Carpet Company and designed by Iranian artist Ali Khaliqi.[18] It measures 5,627 m2 (60,570 sq ft), and was made by around 1,200-1,300 carpet knotters. The weight of this carpet is 35 ton and is predominantly made from wool (originating from New Zealand and Iran). There are 2,268,000,000 knots within the carpet and it took approximately two years to complete.[1]
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Chandelier
The Grand Mosque has seven imported chandeliers from the company Faustig in Munich, Germany that incorporate millions of Swarovski crystals. The largest chandelier is the second largest known chandelier inside a mosque, the third largest in the world,[clarification needed] and has a 10 m (33 ft) diameter and a 15 m (49 ft) height.[1]
The pools along the arcades reflect the mosque's columns, which become illuminated at night. The unique lighting system was designed by lighting architects Speirs and Major Associates to reflect the phases of the moon. Beautiful bluish gray clouds are projected in lights onto the external walls and get brighter and darker according to the phase of the moon.[19]
The 96 columns in the main prayer hall are clad with marble and inlaid with mother of pearl, one of the few places where one can see this craftsmanship.[citation needed]
The 99 names (qualities or attributes) of God (Allah) are featured on the Qibla wall in traditional Kufic calligraphy, designed by the prominent UAE calligrapher — Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi. The Qibla wall also features subtle fibre-optic lighting, which is integrated as part of the organic design.
In total, three calligraphy styles — Naskhi, Thuluth and Kufic — are used throughout the mosque and were drafted by Mohammed Mandi Al Tamimi of the UAE, Farouk Haddad of Syria and Mohammed Allam of Jordan.[1]
View from Wahat Al Karama
Exterior
Water mirror and columns
Inner courtyard with minaret
Interior of the main prayer hall
The mosque in 2022
The mosque at night
Outside of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque (left)
Mosque walkway
Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque At Night
See also
[edit]
List of mosques in the United Arab Emirates
List of cultural property of national significance in the United Arab Emirates
Qasr Al Watan
The Founder's Memorial
Sultan Qaboos Grand Mosque
Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Fujairah
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's Mosque in Stockholm, Sweden
Emir Abdelkader Mosque
References
[edit]
^ abcdefg
"Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi". www.szgmc.ae.
^"President Sheikh Mohamed attends inauguration of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Indonesia: Mosque is almost identical to the original in Abu Dhabi". The National. 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2022-11-15.
^"Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque". Abu Dhabi Government. Retrieved 26 February 2014.
^"Sheikh Zayed Mosque, Abu Dhabi". Wondermondo.
^The National staff (27 May 2017). "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque ranked the world's second favourite landmark | The National". Retrieved 28 May 2017.
^"The Queen's visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque", gov.uk, retrieved 2025-04-16
^"AP", newsroom.ap.org, retrieved 2024-10-04
^"PM Modi Visits Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
^"9 Most Famous Buildings in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah That Put the UAE on the World Map". AD Middle East. 2023-12-02. Retrieved 2023-12-07.
^"7 Facts You Must Know About Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque". MSN News. 12 March 2021.
^Vanessa Chiasson (15 November 2019). "8 Of The Most Beautiful Places In Abu Dhabi". Travel Awaits.
^"Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque". Accsal. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
^"Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Marbled architectural splendor". Besix. Retrieved 13 March 2019.
^"Infrastructure boost". Gulf Construction Online. 2004-08-01.
^"A look at the magnificent mosques of the UAE". Khaleej Times. 2015-07-01. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
^Al Qassemi, Sultan Sooud (2017-11-16). "Demystifying Sharjah's iconic King Faisal Mosque". Gulf News. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
^Kakande, Yasin (2011-08-11). "Sharjah's mosque where the faithful can listen and learn". The National. Sharjah. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
^"Iran weaves world's largest carpet". Web India 123. 2007-07-28.
^Marinho, Carlos André (2023-10-21). "Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque". MuseumsOnTheRoad.com. Retrieved 2025-12-04.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sheikh Zayed Mosque.
The Official Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center website
The Official Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority website
Shah, Pino (2020-03-14). Rood, Carrie (compiler) (ed.). Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque: Heaven's Waiting Room. Vol. 1 (of World Heritage Series). Pharr, Texas, the U.S.A.: ArtByPino.com. ISBN 978-0-9979-9844-3. Retrieved 2020-07-09.
v
t
e
Mosques in United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Imam Al-Tayeb
Mary, Mother of Jesus
Sheikh Zayed Grand
Al Ain
Islamic Golden Age
Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Sheikha Salama
Dubai
Al Farooq Omar Bin Al Khattab
Bur Dubai Iranian
Grand
Jumeirah
Mirdif Grand Mosque
Satwa Iranian
Fujairah
Al Badiyah
Al Bidya
Fujairah
Sheikh Zayed
Sharjah
Al Noor
King Faisal
Sharjah
Category
List
Islam in the U.A.E.
Mosques by country
v
t
e
Emirate of Abu Dhabi
Cities and areas
Abu al Abyad
Abu Dhabi
Al Ain
Al-Aryam Island
Al Faqa (shared with Dubai)
Al Yahar
Al Maryah Island
Al Mushrif
Al Nahyan
Al-Wathbah
Dalma
Das Island
Habshan
Halat al Bahrani
Khalifa City
Liwa Oasis
Madinat Zayed
Marawah
Mussafah
Remah
Ruwais
Sila
Sir Bani Yas
Abu Dhabi Global Market
Swaihan
Yas Island
Al Fahid Island
Municipal regions
Abu Dhabi Region
Adh-Dhafrah (Gharbiyyah, Western) Region
Al-Ain (Sharqiyyah, Eastern) Region
Government
Al Nahyan family (Royal House)
Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (Ruler)
Culture
Cultural property of national significance in Abu Dhabi
Dubai Marina (Arabic: مرسى دبي), also known as Marsa Dubai, is a district in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It is built around an artificially constructed canal along a 3-kilometre (2 mi) stretch of the Persian Gulf shoreline. In 2024 it had a population of 70,550.[2][3]
The district can accommodate over 120,000 people,[4] and is located on Interchange 5 between Jebel Ali Port and the area which hosts Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City, and the American University in Dubai. The Dubai Marina was inspired by the Concord Pacific Place development along False Creek in Vancouver, Canada.[5] There have been many instances of marine wildlife, especially whales and sharks, entering the marina because of its proximity to the open sea.[6]
Development
[edit]
An aerial view of Dubai Marina towers, with Jumeirah Lake towers in the background
To create the marina, the developers brought the waters of the Persian Gulf into the site of the Dubai marina, creating a new waterfront. There is a large central waterway excavated from the desert and running the length of the 3-kilometre (1.9 mi) site.[4] More than 12% of the total land area on the site has been given over to this central public space.[4] Although much of this area is occupied by the marina water surface, it also includes almost 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) of landscaped public walkways.[4]
The marina is entirely human-made and has been developed by the real estate development firm Emaar Properties of the United Arab Emirates and designed by HOK Canada.[4] There is a publicly accessible foreshore-way around the marina and some sections of public ocean way along the beach with views to Palm Jumeirah. Its largest development is the Jumeirah Beach Residence. In October 2013, Dubai Marina opened its first mosque, Masjid Al Rahim, which is situated at the southern end of the Marina; its second mosque, Mohammed Bin Ahmed Almulla Mosque, opened in December 2016.[citation needed][7]
Phase I
[edit]
The first phase of Dubai Marina covers 10 hectares (25 acres), which includes six freehold apartment buildings called the Dubai Marina towers. Phase I of Dubai Marina cost more than AED 1.2 billion.[4] Three of the towers are named after precious stones: Al Mass, Fairooz, and Murjan; the other three are named after Arabic scents: Mesk, Anbar, and Al Yass. The scheme was designed by HOK and the contractors were Al-Futtaim Carillion and Nasah Multiplex.[4]
Phase II
[edit]
Phase II of Dubai Marina consists of high rise buildings which are mainly clustered into a block, known as Tallest Block in the world,[8] with the majority of the skyscrapers ranging between 250 metres (820 ft) to 300 metres (984 ft) in height. This includes Cayan Tower,[9] Ocean Heights,[10] Marina Pinnacle,[11] Sulafa Tower,[12] and Ciel Dubai Marina which rises to 366 metres (1,201 ft).
Jumeirah Beach Residence
[edit]
The Walk at Jumeirah Beach Residence is a 1.7-kilometre (1.1 mi) strip at the ground and plaza level of the complex, developed by Dubai Properties. Completed in 2007, since opening officially in August 2008[13] it has become a tourist attraction.[14]
Al Sahab
[edit]
Al Sahab is a residential high-rise development that consists of two towers; the complex is on the waterfront and directly overlooks the largest bay of water at Dubai Marina.[15] The buildings are in the northern end of the marina across from the Al Majara towers near the Marina Quays.[16]
Marina Quays
[edit]
Marina Quays is a complex designed by Arif & Bintoak, also responsible for the Concorde Tower. As of 2016[update], luxury penthouses in the buildings have sold for more than 10 million Dirham.[relevant?][17] In 2018, 5 million tonnes (11 billion pounds) of rock was added to create a breakwater for Marina Quays.[18]
Dubai Marina Mall
[edit]
Interior view in the mall
Dubai Marina Mall is a shopping mall located in the centre of Dubai Marina. It features 140 retail outlets, spread over 3.6 hectares (9.0 acres) of gross leasable space. Opened in December 2008, the mall is linked to the 5-star JW Marriott Hotel Marina.[19][citation needed]
Transportation
[edit]
Sobha Realty (Dubai Metro)
[edit]
Main article: Sobha Realty (Dubai Metro)
Sobha Realty
Sobha Realty (شوبا العقارية), originally called Dubai Marina, then Damac Station, is a rapid transit station on the Red Line of the Dubai Metro in Dubai. It was opened on 30 April 2010 as part of an extension to Ibn Battuta. Sobha Realty is located near Interchange 5 of Sheikh Zayed Road, around 20 kilometres (12 mi) southwest of downtown Dubai; to the east of the northern half of the Dubai Marina and the west of the northern portion of Jumeirah Lake Towers. The elevated station lies on a viaduct paralleling the eastern side of Sheikh Zayed Road.[20] Pedestrian access to the station is aided through walkways above Sheikh Zayed Road, connecting to developments on either side of the road. In September 2014, it was renamed to Damac Station.[21] The station's name was changed back to Dubai Marina in November 2020,[22] before it was renamed to Sobha Realty on August 9, 2021.[23]
Dubai Tram
[edit]
Main article: Dubai Tram
Al Sufouh Tram operates in Al Sufouh, Dubai Marina, running 14.5 kilometres (9.0 mi) along Al Sufouh Road from Dubai Marina to the Burj Al Arab and the Mall of the Emirates. It interchanges with two stations of Dubai Metro's Red Line. The Sufouh Tram also connects with the Palm Monorail at the entrance of the Palm from Sufouh Road. Since completing in 2014, it has served the residences of Dubai Marina and Jumeirah Beach.[24]
Attractions
[edit]
A zipline was installed which links Dubai Marina with the Dubai Marina Mall.[25] The take-off platform is located at the top of a Amwaj Tower and is 170 metres (560 ft) above ground level. It has a top speed of 80 kilometres per hour (50 mph). XLine is a two-row ride where two people can ride side by side at the same time.[26] There can only be one adult per row. XLine is located in the Dubai Marina Mall on level P. Another attraction is the Dubai Marina Walk, situated along the shoreline. The Dubai Marina Mall is a shopping and entertainment centre. In addition, Dubai Marina has a 3.5 kilometres (2.2 miles) long marina that is serviced by the Dubai Marina Yacht Club for yacht and dhow tours.[27][28] Another major attraction in Dubai Marina is Skydive Dubai,[29] which is arranged to give skydivers a bird's-eye view of Palm Jumeirah.[30][31]
Education
[edit]
Emirates International School is close to Dubai Marina.[32]
Incidents
[edit]
On 27 April 2006, a protest broke out among workers in Al Ahmadiya Contracting. During the protest, workers blocked the company's construction site at Dubai Marina and destroyed office property and documents. They also damaged eight cars and two buses and battered a site engineer. The crowd was later dispersed by the riot control wing of Dubai Police.[33]
In August 2015, people including police officers were arrested after they were caught with prostitutes and illegal alcohol on a boat in Dubai Marina.[34]
In 14 June 2025, a huge fire broke out in the 67-storey Marina Pinnacle, causing 4,000 people to flee.[35]
Gallery
[edit]
Dubai Marina panorama
The tallest block
Another view
View of Dubai Marina from the 64th floor of the Marina Torch Tower
Graffiti in Marina Promenade
View from the harbor
See also
[edit]
United Arab Emirates portal
Architecture portal
Bluewaters Island
List of tallest buildings in Dubai
List of tallest residential buildings in Dubai
References
[edit]
^
"Dubai Statistics Centre" (PDF). Dubai Statistics Centre. 2024. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
^"UAE: Division of Dubai (Sectors and Communities) - Population Statistics, Charts and Map". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 5 March 2021.
^"Digital Dubai" (PDF). dsc.gov.ae. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
^ abcdefg"The Dubai Marina in Dubai Designed by Architects HOK Canada Inc". Design Build Network. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
^Brody, Trevor (24 December 2021) [2006]. "False Creek, Dubai". CharterClick. Retrieved 2 November 2024.
^"Whale shark spotted in Dubai Marina". GulfNews.com. 27 August 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
^Khan, Mohammed N. Al. "Dubai Marina community grows with new mosque". The National. Retrieved 21 November 2024.
^"The World's Tallest Residential City Block Dubai Off-Site Program | CTBUH 2018 Conference". Retrieved 25 August 2024.
^"Beyond Infinity: World's tallest twisted tower in Dubai gets new name". Emirates 24/7. 11 June 2013. Retrieved 17 August 2013.
^"Ocean Heights". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved 26 September 2007.
^"Tiger ready to hand over new Marina Pinnacle Tower to owners". Gulf News. 19 December 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2015.
^"Fire breaks out at luxury Dubai tower". Yahoo News. 20 July 2016. Archived from the original on 31 December 2022. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
^Published: 14:56 August 17, 2008 (17 August 2008). "The Walk opens at Jumeirah Beach Residence". GulfNews.com. Retrieved 20 January 2018.cite web: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
^"The Walk at JBR | Dubai Marina & Palm Jumeirah, Dubai | Attractions". Lonely Planet. Retrieved 8 October 2024.
^Gillett, Katy (18 October 2019). "The evolution of a city: when Dubai Marina broke ground nearly 20 years ago". The National. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
^"Al Sahab Towers (Dubai Marina)". vistadubai.com. Visit Dubai. Archived from the original on 1 January 2020. Retrieved 1 January 2020.
^"Five of the best Dubai penthouses for sale – in pictures". thenational.ae. The National. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
^Sadaqat, Rohma (20 February 2018). "First look: Sharjah's Dh25 billion Waterfront City on track for 2019 completion". Galadari Printing and Publishing LLC. khaleejtimes. Retrieved 9 November 2019.
^"Emaar Announces AED 1.5 billion Expansion of Dubai Mall". www.dubaichronicle.com. 4 June 2024. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
^Haq, Qazi Raza Ul (20 June 2024). "How to Go Marina Beach by Metro – Living in UAE". Living in UAE.
^"Dubai Marina station is now Damac". Lookup.ae. 17 September 2014. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015. Retrieved 14 January 2015.
^Tesorero, Angel (17 December 2020). "Roads and Transport Authority to update Dubai Metro platforms addressing system". Gulf News. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
^Abbas, Waheed (9 August 2021). "Dubai Marina Metro Station renamed Sobha Realty". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
^Dubai FAQs. "Dubai Metro & Tram System - Getting Around". discover-dubai.ae. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
^"Xline Zipline Dubai - The World's Longest Urban Zipline". Visit Dubai. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
^"Frequently Asked Questions". XDubai. 2020. Retrieved 18 December 2024.
^"Boat tours, watersports: Explore Dubai's marine activities to keep cool in summer". Khaleej Times. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
^Pile, Tim (6 March 2025). "6 marinas around the world that are destinations in themselves". PostMag, by South China Morning Post. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
^"Pilot fine as Skydive Dubai plane crashes off runway". Khaleej Times. 4 October 2015 [3 October 2015 – Original publication date]. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
^"Why you need to check out Skydive Dubai". Time Out Abu Dhabi. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
^Wilson, Chris; Neath, Amelia (21 February 2025). "8 best things to do in Dubai Marina and where to stay in 2025". The Independent. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
^"Home". Emirates International School – Meadows. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 15 November 2015. Conveniently located in the heart of the beautiful Meadows community within easy access of the Lakes and Dubai Marina developments [...].
^"Al Ahmadiya Contracting workers to be prosecuted for violent protest". Khaleej Times. 4 April 2015 [10 May 2006 – Original publication date]. Retrieved 29 December 2019.
^"Police officers jailed over Dubai Marina yacht sex parties". The National. 6 April 2015. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
^"Fire breaks out in Dubai Marina building; successfully extinguished". Gulf News. 14 June 2025. Retrieved 14 June 2025.
External links
[edit]
Official website
Media related to Dubai Marina at Wikimedia Commons
‹ The template below (Neighborhoods in Dubai) is being considered for merging with Dubai. See templates for discussion to help reach a consensus. ›
v
t
e
Neighbourhoods and communities in Dubai
Deira and the
northwestern sector of Dubai
(Sector 1)
Abu Hail
Al Baraha
Al Buteen
Al Corniche
Al Dhagaya
Al Hamriya Port
Al Khabisi
Al Mamzar
Al Muraqqabat
Al Murar
Al Muteena
Al Ras
Al Rigga
Al Sabkha
Al Waheda
Ayal Nasir
Corniche Deira
Hor Al Anz
Naif
Port Saeed
Rigga Al Buteen
Mushrif and the
northern sector of Dubai
(Sector 2)
Al Ayas
Al Garhoud
Al Khawaneej
Al Mizhar
Al Rashidiya
Al Nahda
Al Qusais
Al Twar
Al Warqa
Dubai Airport
Mirdif
Muhaisnah
Mushrif
Nad Shamma
Oud Al Muteena
Umm Ramool
Wadi Alamardi
Bur Dubai and the
western sector of Dubai
(Sector 3)
Al Bada
Al Barsha
Al Hamriya
Al Hudaiba
Al Jaddaf
Al Jafilia
Al Karama
Al Kifaf
Al Manara
Al Mankhool
Al Merkad
Al Quoz
Al Rifa
Al Safa
Al Satwa
Al Shindagha
Al Souk Al Kabir
Al Sufouh
Al Thanyah
Al Wasl
Business Bay
Downtown Dubai
Dubai Marina
Jumeirah
Jumeirah Bay
Jumeirah Island 2
Madinat Dubai Al Melaheyah
Nakhlat Jumeirah
Oud Metha
Trade Centre 1
Trade Centre 2
Umm Al Sheif
Umm Hurair
Umm Suqeim
World Islands
Zabeel
Ras Al Khor and the
north-central sector of Dubai
(Sector 4)
Al Khairan First
Al Kheeran
Al Warqaa
Nad Al Hammar
Ras Al Khor
Wadi Alshabak
Jabal Ali and the
southwestern sector of Dubai
(Sector 5)
Al Wajeha Al Bahriah
Dubai Investment Park
Hessyan
Jabal Ali
Madinat Al Mataar
Mena Jabal Ali
Nakhlat Jabal Ali
Saih Shuaib
Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid and the
central sector of Dubai
(Sector 6)
Al Barsha South
Al Hebiah
Bu Kadra
Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid
Me'aisem
Nadd Al Shiba
Nadd Hessa
Ras Al Khor Industrial Area
Wadi Al Safa
Warsan
Al Awir and the
northeastern sector of Dubai
(Sector 7)
Al Awir
Al Meryal
Al Wohoosh
Enkhali
Lehbab
Nazwah
Hatta and the
eastern sector of Dubai
(Sector 8)
Al Maha
Al Rowaiyah
Hatta
Le Hemaira
Margab
Margham
Mereiyeel
Remah
Umm Al Daman
Umm Al Mo'meneen
Umm Eselay
Yaraah
Al Marmoom and the
southern sector of Dubai
(Sector 9)
Al Fagaa
Al Hathmah
Al Layan
Al Lesaily
Al Marmoom
Al O'shoosh
Al Selal
Al Yalayis
Al Yufrah
Ghadeer Barashy
Grayteesah
Hefair
Mugatrah
Saih Al-Dahal
Saih Al Salam
Saih Shua'alah
Umm Nahad
v
t
e
Developments in Dubai
Skyscrapers
Address Boulevard
Al Sahab Towers
Almas Tower
Burj Al Alam
Burj Al Arab
Burj Khalifa
Cayan Tower
DAMAC Residenze
Dubai Pearl
Emirates Towers
Jumeirah Lake Towers
Marina 101
Pentominium
Trump International Hotel and Tower
Shopping centres
Arabian Center
BurJuman
City Centre Deira
Dubai Mall
Dubai Marina Mall
Dubai Outlet Mall
Ibn Battuta Mall
Mall of Arabia
Mall of the Emirates
Mall of the World
Mercato Shopping Mall
Entertainment
City of Arabia
Dubai Autodrome
Dubai Sports City
Dubailand
Global Village
Transport
Al Maktoum International Airport
Dubai Metro
Green Line
Red Line
Route 2020
Dubai Tram
Dubai Trolley
Palm Jumeirah Monorail
Land reclamation
Bluewaters Island
Dubai Waterfront
Jumeirah Islands
Logo Islands
Marsa Al Arab
Palm Islands
Deira Islands
Palm Jebel Ali
Palm Jumeirah
The Universe
The World
Other projects
Al Furjan
Al Muntazah
Arabian Canal
Arabian Ranches
Atlantis, The Palm
Atlantis The Royal
Bawadi
Business Bay
Culture Village
Discovery Gardens
Downtown Dubai
Dubai Design District
Dubai Festival City
Dubai Golf City
Dubai Investments Park
Dubai International City
Dubai Lifestyle City
Dubai Marina
Dubai Meydan City
Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Dubai Silicon Oasis
Dubai South
Dubai TechnoPark
Falconcity of Wonders
The Gardens
Hydropolis
Jebel Ali Village
Jumeirah Garden City
Marina Quays
Mohammed bin Rashid City
Palm Grandeur
Town Square
Wafi City
List of development projects in Dubai
List of tallest buildings in Dubai
About Aerial photography
Taking images of the ground from the air
An aerial photograph using a drone of Westerheversand Lighthouse, GermanyAerial view of a swimming pool complexAn aerial photograph taken using a drone of the Vistula, a river in PolandAn aerial view of the city of Pori, FinlandAir photo of a military target used to evaluate the effect of bombing
Aerial photography (or airborne imagery) is the taking of photographs from an aircraft or other airborne platforms.[1] When taking motion pictures, it is also known as aerial videography.
Platforms for aerial photography include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs or "drones"), balloons, blimps and dirigibles, rockets, pigeons, kites, or using action cameras while skydiving or wingsuiting. Handheld cameras may be manually operated by the photographer, while mounted cameras are usually remotely operated or triggered automatically.
Hraunfossar, Iceland captured by a drone-camera[2]
Aerial photography typically refers specifically to bird's-eye view images that focus on landscapes and surface objects, and should not be confused with air-to-air photography, where one or more aircraft are used as chase planes that "chase" and photograph other aircraft in flight. Elevated photography can also produce bird's-eye images closely resembling aerial photography (despite not actually being aerial shots) when telephotoing from high vantage structures, suspended on cables (e.g. Skycam) or on top of very tall poles that are either handheld (e.g. monopods and selfie sticks), fixed firmly to the ground (e.g. surveillance cameras and crane shots) or mounted above vehicles.
History
[edit]
See also: Aerial reconnaissance § History
This section duplicates the scope of other articles, specifically Aerial reconnaissance#History. Please discuss this issue and help introduce a summary style to the section by replacing the section with a link and a summary or by splitting the content into a new article.(October 2020)
Early
[edit]
Honoré Daumier, "Nadar élevant la Photographie à la hauteur de l'Art" (Nadar elevating Photography to Art), published in Le Boulevard, May 25, 1862
Aerial photography was first practiced by the French photographer and balloonist Gaspard-Félix Tournachon, known as "Nadar", in 1858 over Paris, France.[3] However, the photographs he produced no longer exist and therefore the earliest surviving aerial photograph is titled 'Boston, as the Eagle and the Wild Goose See It.' Taken by James Wallace Black and Samuel Archer King on October 13, 1860, it depicts Boston from a height of 630m.[4][5]
Equipment Used to Make High-Altitude Photographs (1924)Aerial view by Cecil Shadbolt, showing Stonebridge Road, Stamford Hill, and Seven Sisters Curve, part of the Tottenham and Hampstead Junction Railway, taken from 2,000 feet (610 m) on 29 May 1882 – the earliest extant aerial photograph taken in the British Isles
Kite aerial photography was pioneered by British meteorologist E.D. Archibald in 1882. He used an explosive charge on a timer to take photographs from the air.[6] The same year, Cecil Shadbolt devised a method of taking photographs from the basket of a gas balloon, including shots looking vertically downwards.[7][8] One of his images, taken from 2,000 feet (610 m) over Stamford Hill, is the earliest extant aerial photograph taken in the British Isles.[7] A print of the same image, An Instantaneous Map Photograph taken from the Car of a Balloon, 2,000 feet high, was shown at the 1882 Photographic Society exhibition.[8]
Frenchman Arthur Batut began using kites for photography in 1888, and wrote a book on his methods in 1890.[9][10] Samuel Franklin Cody developed his advanced 'Man-lifter War Kite' and succeeded in interesting the British War Office with its capabilities.
Antique postcard from Grand Rapids, Michigan, using kite photo technique (c. 1911)
In 1908, Albert Samama Chikly filmed the first ever aerial views using a balloon between Hammam-Lif and Grombalia.[11] The first use of a motion picture camera mounted to a heavier-than-air aircraft took place on April 24, 1909, over Rome in the 3:28 silent film short, Wilbur Wright und seine Flugmaschine.
World War I
[edit]
Giza pyramid complex, photographed from Eduard Spelterini's balloon on November 21, 1904
The use of aerial photography rapidly matured during the war, as reconnaissance aircraft were equipped with cameras to record enemy movements and defenses. At the start of the conflict, the usefulness of aerial photography was not fully appreciated, with reconnaissance being accomplished with map sketching from the air.
Germany adopted the first aerial camera, a Görz, in 1913. The French began the war with several squadrons of Blériot observation aircraft equipped with cameras for reconnaissance. The French Army developed procedures for getting prints into the hands of field commanders in record time.
Frederick Charles Victor Laws started aerial photography experiments in 1912 with No.1 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps (later No. 1 Squadron RAF), taking photographs from the British dirigible Beta. He discovered that vertical photos taken with a 60% overlap could be used to create a stereoscopic effect when viewed in a stereoscope, thus creating a perception of depth that could aid in cartography and in intelligence derived from aerial images. The Royal Flying Corps recon pilots began to use cameras for recording their observations in 1914 and by the Battle of Neuve Chapelle in 1915, the entire system of German trenches was being photographed.[12] In 1916, the Austro-Hungarian Monarchy made vertical camera axis aerial photos above Italy for map-making.
The first purpose-built and practical aerial camera was invented by Captain John Moore-Brabazon in 1915 with the help of the Thornton-Pickard company, greatly enhancing the efficiency of aerial photography. The camera was inserted into the floor of the aircraft and could be triggered by the pilot at intervals. Moore-Brabazon also pioneered the incorporation of stereoscopic techniques into aerial photography, allowing the height of objects on the landscape to be discerned by comparing photographs taken at different angles.[13][14]
By the end of the war, aerial cameras had dramatically increased in size and focal power and were used increasingly frequently as they proved their pivotal military worth; by 1918, both sides were photographing the entire front twice a day and had taken over half a million photos since the beginning of the conflict. In January 1918, General Allenby used five Australian pilots from No. 1 Squadron AFC to photograph a 624 square miles (1,620 km2) area in Palestine as an aid to correcting and improving maps of the Turkish front. This was a pioneering use of aerial photography as an aid for cartography. Lieutenants Leonard Taplin, Allan Runciman Brown, H. L. Fraser, Edward Patrick Kenny, and L. W. Rogers photographed a block of land stretching from the Turkish front lines 32 miles (51 km) deep into their rear areas. Beginning 5 January, they flew with a fighter escort to ward off enemy fighters. Using Royal Aircraft Factory BE.12 and Martinsyde airplanes, they not only overcame enemy air attacks, but also had to contend with 65 mph (105 km/h) winds, antiaircraft fire, and malfunctioning equipment to complete their task.[15]
Commercial
[edit]
New York City in 1932, aerial photograph of Fairchild Aerial Surveys IncMilton Kent with his aerial camera, June 1953, Milton Kent Studio, Sydney
The first commercial aerial photography company in the UK was Aerofilms Ltd, founded by World War I veterans Francis Wills and Claude Graham White in 1919. The company soon expanded into a business with major contracts in Africa and Asia as well as in the UK. Operations began from the Stag Lane Aerodrome at Edgware, using the aircraft of the London Flying School. Subsequently, the Aircraft Manufacturing Company (later the De Havilland Aircraft Company), hired an Airco DH.9 along with pilot entrepreneur Alan Cobham.[16]
From 1921, Aerofilms carried out vertical photography for survey and mapping purposes. During the 1930s, the company pioneered the science of photogrammetry (mapping from aerial photographs), with the Ordnance Survey amongst the company's clients.[17] In 1920, the Australian Milton Kent started using a half-plate oblique aero camera purchased from Carl Zeiss AG in his aerial photographic business.[18]
Another successful pioneer of the commercial use of aerial photography was the American Sherman Fairchild who started with his own aircraft firm Fairchild Aircraft to develop and build specialized aircraft for high altitude aerial survey missions.[19] One Fairchild aerial survey aircraft in 1935 carried a unit that combined two synchronized cameras. Utilizing two units of ten lenses each with a ten-inch lens, the aircraft took photos from 23,000 feet. Each photo covered two hundred and twenty-five square miles. One of its first government contracts was an aerial survey of New Mexico to study soil erosion.[20] A year later, Fairchild introduced a better high altitude camera with a nine-lens in one unit that could take a photo covering 600 square miles with each exposure from 30,000 feet.[21]
World War II
[edit]
Sidney Cotton's Lockheed 12A, in which he made a high-speed reconnaissance flight in 1940
In 1939, Sidney Cotton and Flying Officer Maurice Longbottom of the RAF were among the first to suggest that airborne reconnaissance may be a task better suited to fast, small aircraft which would use their speed and high service ceiling to avoid detection and interception. Although this seems obvious now, with modern reconnaissance tasks performed by fast, high flying aircraft, at the time it was radical thinking.[citation needed]
They proposed the use of Spitfires with their armament and radios removed and replaced with extra fuel and cameras. This led to the development of the Spitfire PR variants. Spitfires proved to be extremely successful in their reconnaissance role and there were many variants built specifically for that purpose. They served initially with what later became No. 1 Photographic Reconnaissance Unit (PRU). In 1928, the RAF developed an electric heating system for the aerial camera. This allowed reconnaissance aircraft to take pictures from very high altitudes without the camera parts freezing.[22] Based at RAF Medmenham, the collection and interpretation of such photographs became a considerable enterprise.[23]
Cotton's aerial photographs were far ahead of their time. Together with other members of the 1 PRU, he pioneered the techniques of high-altitude, high-speed stereoscopic photography that were instrumental in revealing the locations of many crucial military and intelligence targets. According to R.V. Jones, photographs were used to establish the size and the characteristic launching mechanisms for both the V-1 flying bomb and the V-2 rocket. Cotton also worked on ideas such as a prototype specialist reconnaissance aircraft and further refinements of photographic equipment. At the peak, the British flew over 100 reconnaissance flights a day, yielding 50,000 images per day to interpret. Similar efforts were taken by other countries.[citation needed]
While stationed on an aircraft carrier in Imperial Japan, FS Hussain, a pilot in the Royal Indian Air Force, was tasked with photographing the aftermath of the Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.[24] Unaware of the risks of exposure to radiation, it led to his death in 1969 at the age of 44.[25]
Uses
[edit]
Vertical aerial photography is used in cartography[26] (particularly in photogrammetric surveys, which are often the basis for topographic maps[27][28]), land-use planning,[26] aerial archaeology.[26] Oblique aerial photography is used for movie production, environmental studies,[29] power line inspection,[30] surveillance, construction progress, commercial advertising, conveyancing, and artistic projects. An example of how aerial photography is used in the field of archaeology is the mapping project done at the site Angkor Borei in Cambodia from 1995 to 1996. Using aerial photography, archaeologists were able to identify archaeological features, including 112 water features (reservoirs, artificially constructed pools and natural ponds) within the walled site of Angkor Borei.[31] In the United States, aerial photographs are used in many Phase I Environmental Site Assessments for property analysis.
Aircraft
[edit]
In the United States, except when necessary for take-off and landing, full-sized manned aircraft are prohibited from flying at altitudes under 1000 feet over congested areas and not closer than 500 feet from any person, vessel, vehicle or structure over non-congested areas. Certain exceptions are allowed for helicopters, powered parachutes and weight-shift-control aircraft.[32]
Radio-controlled
[edit]
Advancements in drone technology have allowed aerial photographs to be taken by quadcopter drones, such as this DJI Mavic Pro.
Advances in radio controlled models have made it possible for model aircraft to conduct low-altitude aerial photography. This had benefited real-estate advertising, where commercial and residential properties are the photographic subject. In 2014, the US Federal Aviation Administration banned the use of drones for photographs in real estate advertisements.[33] The ban has been lifted and commercial aerial photography using drones of UAS is regulated under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018.[34][35] Commercial pilots have to complete the requirements for a Part 107 license,[36] while amateur and non-commercial use is restricted by the FAA.[37]
Small scale model aircraft offer increased photographic access to these previously restricted areas. Miniature vehicles do not replace full-size aircraft, as full-size aircraft are capable of longer flight times, higher altitudes, and greater equipment payloads. They are, however, useful in any situation in which a full-scale aircraft would be dangerous to operate. Examples would include the inspection of transformers atop power transmission lines and slow, low-level flight over agricultural fields, both of which can be accomplished by a large-scale radio-controlled helicopter. Professional-grade, gyroscopically stabilized camera platforms are available for use under such a model; a large model helicopter with a 26cc gasoline engine can hoist a payload of approximately seven kilograms (15 pounds). One example is the radio controlled Nitrohawk helicopter developed by Robert Channon between 1988 and 1998.[38] In addition to gyroscopically stabilized footage, the use of RC copters as reliable aerial photography tools increased with the integration of FPV (first-person-view) technology. Many radio-controlled aircraft, in particular drones, are now capable of utilizing Wi-Fi to stream live video from the aircraft's camera back to the pilot's or pilot in command's (PIC) ground station.[39]
Regulations
[edit]
See also: Regulation of unmanned aerial vehicles
Australia
[edit]
In Australia, Civil Aviation Safety Regulation Part 101 (CASR Part 101)[40] allows for commercial use of unmanned and remotely piloted aircraft. Under these regulations, unmanned remotely piloted aircraft for commercial are referred to as Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), whereas radio-controlled aircraft for recreational purposes are referred to as model aircraft. Under CASR Part 101, businesses/persons operating remotely piloted aircraft commercially are required to hold an operator certificate, just like manned aircraft operators. Pilots of remotely piloted aircraft operating commercially are also required to be licensed by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).[41] While a small RPAS and model aircraft may actually be identical, unlike model aircraft, a RPAS may enter controlled airspace with approval, and operate close to an aerodrome.
Due to a number of illegal operators in Australia, making false claims of being approved, CASA maintains and publishes a list of approved remote operator's certificate (ReOC) holders.[42] However, CASA has modified the regulations and from September 29, 2016, drones under 2 kg (4.4 lb) may be operated for commercial purposes.[43]
United States
[edit]
2006 FAA regulations grounding all commercial RC model flights have been upgraded to require formal FAA certification before permission is granted to fly at any altitude in the US.
On June 25, 2014, the FAA, in ruling 14 CFR Part 91 [Docket No. FAA–2014–0396] "Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft", banned the commercial use of unmanned aircraft over U.S. airspace.[44] On September 26, 2014, the FAA began granting the right to use drones in aerial filmmaking. Operators are required to be licensed pilots and must keep the drone in view at all times. Drones cannot be used to film in areas where people might be put at risk.[45]
The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 established, in Section 336, a special rule for model aircraft. In Section 336, Congress confirmed the FAA's long-standing position that model aircraft are aircraft. Under the terms of the Act, a model aircraft is defined as "an unmanned aircraft" that is "(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere; (2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft; and (3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes."[46]
Because anything capable of being viewed from a public space is considered outside the realm of privacy in the United States, aerial photography may legally document features and occurrences on private property.[47]
The FAA can pursue enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who endanger the safety of the national airspace system: Public Law 112–95, section 336(b).[33]
On June 21, 2016, the FAA released its summary of small unmanned aircraft rules (Part 107). The rules established guidelines for small UAS operators including operating only during the daytime, a 400 ft (120 m). ceiling and pilots must keep the UAS in visual range.[48]
On April 7, 2017, the FAA announced special security instructions under 14 CFR § 99.7. Effective April 14, 2017, all UAS flights within 400 feet of the lateral boundaries of U.S. military installations are prohibited unless a special permit is secured from the base and/or the FAA.[49]
United Kingdom
[edit]
Aerial photography in the UK has tight regulations as to where a drone is able to fly.[50]
Aerial Photography on Light aircraft under 20 kg (44 lb). Basic Rules for non commercial flying Of a SUA (Small Unmanned Aircraft).
Article 241 Endangering safety of any person or property states that a person must not recklessly or negligently cause or permit an aircraft to endanger any person or property.
Article 94 mentions the following about small unmanned aircraft:
A person must not cause or permit any article or animal (whether or not attached to a parachute) to be dropped from a small unmanned aircraft so as to endanger persons or property.
The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft may only fly the aircraft if reasonably satisfied that the flight can safely be made.
The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft must maintain direct, unaided visual contact with the aircraft sufficient to monitor its flight path in relation to other aircraft, persons, vehicles, vessels and structures for the purpose of avoiding collisions. (500 m (1,600 ft))
The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft which has a mass of more than 7 kg (15 lb) excluding its fuel but including any articles or equipment installed in or attached to the aircraft at the commencement of its flight, must not fly the aircraft:
In Class A, C, D or E airspace unless the permission of the appropriate air traffic control unit has been obtained;
Within an aerodrome traffic zone during the notified hours of watch of the air traffic control unit (if any) at that aerodrome unless the permission of any such air traffic control unit has been obtained;
At a height of more than 400 feet above the surface
The person in charge of a small unmanned aircraft must not fly the aircraft for the purposes of commercial operations except in accordance with a permission granted by the CAA.
Article 95 has the following to say about small unmanned surveillance aircraft:
You Must not fly your aircraft over or within 150 metres of any congested Area.
Over or within 150 m (490 ft) of an organised open-air assembly of more than 1,000 persons.
Within 50 m (160 ft) of any vessel, vehicle or structure which is not under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft.
Within 50 m of any person, during take-off or landing, a small unmanned surveillance aircraft must not be flown within 30 m (98 ft) of any person. This does not apply to the person in charge of the small unmanned surveillance aircraft or a person under the control of the person in charge of the aircraft.
Model aircraft with a mass of more than 20 kg are termed 'Large Model Aircraft' – within the UK, large model aircraft may only be flown in accordance with an exemption from the ANO, which must be issued by the CAA.
Types
[edit]
Oblique
[edit]
Oblique Aerial Photo
Photographs taken at an angle are called oblique photographs. If they are taken from a low angle relative to the earth's surface, they are called low oblique and photographs taken from a high angle are called high or steep oblique.[51]
An aerial photographer prepares continuous oblique shooting in a Cessna 206
Vertical (Nadir)
[edit]
Vertical Orientation Aerial Photo
Vertical photographs are taken straight down.[52] They are mainly used in photogrammetry and image interpretation. Pictures that will be used in photogrammetry are traditionally taken with special large format cameras with calibrated and documented geometric properties.
A vertical still from a kite aerial thermal video of part of a former brickworks site captured at night. http://www.armadale.org.uk/aerialthermography.htm
Combined
[edit]
Aerial photographs are often combined. Depending on their purpose, it can be done in several ways, of which a few are listed below.
Panoramas can be made by stitching several photographs taken in different angles from one spot (e.g. with a hand held camera) or from different spots at the same angle (e.g. from a plane).
Stereo photography techniques allow for the creation of 3D-images from several photographs of the same area taken from different spots.
In pictometry, five rigidly mounted cameras provide one vertical and four low oblique pictures that can be used together.
In some digital cameras, for aerial photogrammetry images from several imaging elements, sometimes with separate lenses, are geometrically corrected and combined to one image in the camera.
Orthophotomap
[edit]
Vertical photographs are often used to create orthophotos, alternatively known as orthophotomaps, photographs which have been geometrically "corrected" so as to be usable as a map. In other words, an orthophoto is a simulation of a photograph taken from an infinite distance, looking straight down to nadir. Perspective must obviously be removed, but variations in terrain should also be corrected for. Multiple geometric transformations are applied to the image, depending on the perspective and terrain corrections required on a particular part of the image.
Orthophotos are commonly used in geographic information systems, such as are used by mapping agencies (e.g. Ordnance Survey) to create maps. Once the images have been aligned, or "registered", with known real-world coordinates, they can be widely deployed.
Large sets of orthophotos, typically derived from multiple sources and divided into "tiles" (each typically 256 x 256 pixels in size), are widely used in online map systems such as Google Maps. OpenStreetMap offers the use of similar orthophotos for deriving new map data. Google Earth overlays orthophotos or satellite imagery onto a digital elevation model to simulate 3D landscapes.
Leaf-off or leaf-on
[edit]
Aerial photography may be labeled as either "leaf-off" or on "leaf-on" to indicate whether deciduous foliage is in the photograph. Leaf-off photographs show less foliage or no foliage at all, and are used to see the ground and things on the ground more closely. Leaf-on photographs are used to measure crop health and yield. For forestry purposes, some species of trees are easier to distinguish from other kinds of trees with leaf-off photography, while other species are easier to distinguish with leaf-on photography.[53]
Video
[edit]
The Cliffs of Moher, filmed with a drone (2014)
With advancements in video technology, aerial video is becoming more popular. Orthogonal video is shot from aircraft mapping pipelines, crop fields, and other points of interest. Using GPS, video may be embedded with meta data and later synced with a video mapping program.
This "Spatial Multimedia" is the timely union of digital media including still photography, motion video, stereo, panoramic imagery sets, immersive media constructs, audio, and other data with location and date-time information from the GPS and other location designs.
Aerial videos are emerging Spatial Multimedia which can be used for scene understanding and object tracking. The input video is captured by low flying aerial platforms and typically consists of strong parallax from non-ground-plane structures. The integration of digital video, global positioning systems (GPS) and automated image processing will improve the accuracy and cost-effectiveness of data collection and reduction. Several different aerial platforms are under investigation for the data collection.
In film production, it is common to use a unmanned aerial vehicle with a mounted cine camera.[54] For example, the AERIGON cinema drone is used for low aerial shots in big blockbuster movies.[55]
Wikipedia category for articles on aerial photographers
References
[edit]
^
"aerial photograph". Merrian Webster. Retrieved 2 October 2017.
^"Fotografi og film med drone | Odd & Ivø Photography | Rungsted Kyst". Oddivo. Retrieved 2023-03-09.
^History of Aerial Photography Professional Aerial Photographers Association (retrieved 5 October 2016)
^Ron Graham and Roger E. Read, Manual of Aerial Photography, London and Boston, Focal Press, ISBN 0-240-51229-4
^Staff writer (April 3, 2013). "This Picture of Boston, Circa 1860, Is the World's Oldest Surviving Aerial Photo". Smithsonian Magazine. Retrieved April 17, 2013.
^Archibald, Douglas (1897). "The Story of the Earth's Atmosphere". p. 174. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
^ ab"The Shadbolt Collection". Retrieved 27 April 2020.
^ abColin, Fenn (2016). "George & Cecil Shadbolt – Pioneer Photographers" (PDF). Friends of West Norwood. Newsletter (86): 6–8.
^Benton, Cris (June 25, 2010). "The First Kite Photographs". arch.ced.berkeley.edu. Archived from the original on 2011-06-09. Retrieved 2011-04-16.
^"Arthur Batut Museum" (in French). Retrieved 2008-01-08.
^Luke McKernan, Albert Samama Chikly, archived from archived from victorian-cinema.net, July 2015
^"A Brief History of Aerial Photography". Archived from the original on 6 September 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
^"Royal Flying Corps Founded". History Today.
^Marshall Cavendish Corporation (2003). How It Works: Science and Technology. Marshall Cavendish. p. 33. ISBN 9780761473145.
^"Lieutenant Leonard T.E. Taplin, D.F.C". Southsearepublic.org. Archived from the original on 2012-07-15. Retrieved 2013-01-24.
^"BFI Screenonline: Friese-Greene, Claude (1898–1943) Biography". www.screenonline.org.uk.
^"Municipal Air Surveys. Contracts From Doncaster And Birkenhead". The Times. No. 44229. column E. Gale:The Times digital archive 1785–1985. 25 March 1926. p. 11. Retrieved 30 August 2012. (subscription required)
^A Modern Ariel with a camera, People [magazine], July 15, 1953, pp. 24-27
^Donald, David (1997). The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Noble Books. p. 382. ISBN 0-7607-0592-5.
^Hearst Magazines (October 1935). "Wide Area Is Mapped From Air By Giant Ten Lens Camera". Popular Mechanics. Hearst Magazines. p. 535.
^Hearst Magazines (April 1936). "Nine Lens Aerial Camera Films 600 Square Miles". Popular Science. Hearst Magazines. p. 571.
^"Edgerton in World War II: Before Edgerton". web.mit.edu. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
^Cotton, Sidney (1969). Aviator Extraordinary: The Sidney Cotton Story. Chatto & Windus. p. 169. ISBN 0-7011-1334-0.
^Azam Qadri (2014). Sentinels in the Sky: A Saga of PAF's Gallant Air Warriors. PAF Book Club. pp. 12–19.
^"Air Commodore FS Hussain: The pioneer of PAF aerobatics". The News International. 23 March 2019.
^ abc"Aerial Photography and Remote Sensing". University of Colorado Boulder. 2011. Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
^Mills, J.P.; et al. (1997). "Photogrammetry from Archived Digital Imagery for Seal Monitoring". The Photogrammetric Record. 15 (89): 715–724. Bibcode:1997PgRec..15..715M. doi:10.1111/0031-868X.00080. S2CID 140189982.
^Twiss, S.D.; et al. (2001). "Topographic spatial characterisation of grey seal Halichoerus grypus breeding habitat at a sub-seal size spatial grain". Ecography. 24 (3): 257–266. doi:10.1111/j.1600-0587.2001.tb00198.x.
^Stewart, J.E.; et al. (2014). "Finescale ecological niche modeling provides evidence that lactating gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) prefer access to fresh water in order to drink" (PDF). Marine Mammal Science. 30 (4): 1456–1472. Bibcode:2014MMamS..30.1456S. doi:10.1111/mms.12126.
^Yan, Guangjian; Li, Chaoyang; Zhou, Guoqing; Zhang, Wuming; Li, Xiaowen (2007). "Automatic Extraction of Power Lines from Aerial Images". IEEE Geoscience and Remote Sensing Letters. 4 (3): 387–391. Bibcode:2007IGRSL...4..387Y. doi:10.1109/LGRS.2007.895714. S2CID 33499293.
^Stark, M. T., Griffin, P., Phoeurn, C., Ledgerwood, J., Dega, M., Mortland, C., ... & Latinis, K. (1999). Results of the 1995–1996 archaeological field investigations at Angkor Borei, Cambodia. Asian Perspectives 38(1)
^United States Federal Aviation Regulations FAR part 91 section 119(14CFR91.119)
^ abFederal register
^Guthrie, Brett (2018-10-05). "Text - H.R.302 – 115th Congress (2017–2018): FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018". www.congress.gov. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
^Chavers, Marcus (2018-10-04). "Drone Enthusiasts and Industry Await FAA Reauthorization Act". News Ledge. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
^"Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators". www.faa.gov. Retrieved 2019-06-23.
^Steve Hynes (October 1994). "Eye in the Sky". Professional Photographer. pp. 53–56.
^"Understanding how your drone is controlled". Retrieved 27 March 2023.
^"Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998". Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. December 19, 2002. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
^"Civil Aviation Safety Authority". Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. December 19, 2002. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
^"List of UAS Operator Certificate Holders". Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
^"Part 101 Amendments – Cutting red tape for remotely piloted aircraft". CASA. 2016. Retrieved October 5, 2016.
^Huerta, Michael P. (18 June 2014). "Interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft" (PDF). FAA. Retrieved 5 October 2016.
^"U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces FAA Exemptions for Commercial UAS Movie and TV Production". Press Release. FAA. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
^Public Law 112–95, section 336(c).
^California v. Ciraolo, 476 U.S. 206 (1986)
^"SUMMARY OF SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT RULE (PART 107)" (PDF). FAA. Retrieved 21 June 2016.
^"Security Sensitive Airspace Restrictions". FAA. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
^"UK Drone law". Aerial Republic. 24 March 2017. Retrieved May 17, 2017.
^"Lecture 6.1: Classification of Photographs". The Remote Sensing Core Curriculum. University of Maryland, Baltimore County. 1999. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
^Short, Nicholas (2010-04-28). "Elements of Aerial Photography". Remote Sensing Tutorial Page 10-1. NASA. Archived from the original on March 17, 2011. Retrieved 2011-03-25.
^What is the difference between leaf-on and leaf-off imagery?, MapaSyst, Extension Foundation, August 21, 2019
^Mademlis, Ioannis; Nikolaidis, Nikos; Tefas, Anastasios; Pitas, Ioannis; Tilman, Wagner; Messina, Alberto (2019). "Autonomous UAV cinematography: A tutorial and a formalized shot-type taxonomy". ACM Computing Surveys. 52 (5). New York, NY: ACM: 1–33. doi:10.1145/3347713. S2CID 202676119.
^"AERIGON cinema drone (UAV) pioneering in film production". Archived from the original on 26 August 2021. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
Further reading
[edit]
Price, Alfred (2003). Targeting the Reich: Allied Photographic Reconnaissance over Europe, 1939–1945. [S.l.]: Military Book Club. N.B.: First published 2003 by Greenhill Books, London. ISBN 0-7394-3496-9
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Aerial photography.
Look up aerial photography in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Aerial Photography: An Overview on YouTube, from the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
We booked this as a surprise for my son's birthday and we nailed it - he loved the thrill of the helicopter ride itself, but also the spectacular views from above. The pilot was very friendly and knowledgeable. We learned so much more about Abu Dhabi than we would have ever done from walking around - and the views from above of the Mosque and of the palaces are unmatched.It is MUST experience in Abu Dhabi.
I recently had the pleasure of taking a helicopter ride with your company, and I wanted to take a moment to share my experience.
From start to finish, everything was exceptionally well-organized. The views during the ride were absolutely breathtaking, and the pilot's professionalism and knowledge added so much to the overall experience. It was clear that safety was a top priority, which made me feel comfortable and secure throughout the flight.
The only suggestion I have for improvement would be [less timing of the ride] However, this did not detract from what was an otherwise fantastic experience.
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride, and I would highly recommend it to others. Thank you for providing such a memorable experience!
Awesome Helicopter tour of Dubai and the world Islands. We got to see everything we wanted to see. Tour left on time and everything was very organized.
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
Helicopter Ride and Tours Dubai, Al Warsan Building - near Media Rotana, Ground Floor - Al Thanyah First - Barsha Heights - Dubai - United Arab Emirates
