A former offshore engineer fears time is running out in his quest to achieve lift-off for his new drone business.
Kevin Blair, 51, set up his aerial video and photography company last year after losing his job in oil and gas, an industry he worked in for about 20 years.
Mr Blair, who has lived in the north-east since 1998, has spent thousands of pounds establishing Rise Above Aerial Cinematography.
He said paying for equipment, software, courses and qualifications had put a serious dent in his savings.
Mr Blair, whose youngest daughter is 10, also resorted to selling his car to raise cash.
And while he is enjoying the new challenge, the going has been “slow” for Rise Above.
Since receiving his licence at the end of September, Mr Blair and his trusty drone have had little interest in their services.
So far, Rise Above has secured just a couple of jobs with an estate agent and private home owners.
He said a few more projects were in the offing, including a marketing video for a business, and a mountain bike promotion to be shot near Fort William.
Mr Blair said feedback had been very positive from his first few clients, but he is worried that a lack of awareness of drones is stifling his business.
He was prepared to shoot free videos for several north-east hotels for advertising purposes, but not one took him up on the offer.
Mr Blair said he was lucky that his wife was still bringing home her teacher’s salary.
He also said the job had been a welcome distraction.
“If I had not had this I would have really struggled,” Mr Blair said. “I needed something to focus on and to feel like I’m doing something.
“For people who’ve not got anything to focus on must be soul destroying.”
But as he approaches the one-year anniversary since he left oil and gas, Mr Blair knows he needs to have more to show for his efforts.
Mr Blair said: “I’m already feeling anxious. We’ve used up all our savings. … We can only go on like this for a few more months.”
Mr Blair said he was keen to offer his services to oil and gas companies, who could reduce the risk to workers by using drones for inspection, but competition is tough.
He can also use his airborne assistant for mapping and survey work.
“The uses are almost limitless, I just need to start making some money,” Mr Blair added.
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