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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is a Drone?
A: In the USA, the term “drone” is a nickname given to any aircraft in the category of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), or Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS) weighing less than 55 lbs. (The name is also used to describe unmanned military aircraft.) Almost all consumer drones are capable of carrying a payload (usually a camera) which captures images and/or video. Nearly all models offer the ability to “live stream” the media from the camera to the operator on the ground in real time, as well as to social media sites. The cost to operate the UAS units is much less than an airplane or helicopter and therefore we can offer commercial images and video at a lower cost. It also saves on resources such as fuel and aircraft maintenance and even reduces emissions since UAS devices run off batteries.
Q: Where are you located and what areas do you service?
A: We are located in Montgomery AL. But our services can be conducted nationwide. That being said, we LOVE to travel! If you want to get us on a project that is requires a plane or a long drive then all we ask is that you pay travel and lodging expenses. We are great at finding deals and do not charge a premium for this.
Q: Is your work guaranteed?
A: Yes! We believe that We believe that all aerial photographers should guarantee that you will be satisfied with the images provided. But if thats not the case, Our guarantee is this: if you are not completely satisfied with the images that we deliver to you, we will photograph your site again at no additional cost. It is critical to us that our clients are satisfied with their aerial images.
Q: What information do you need from me to get started?
A: Each project is unique. We may be familiar with your site and need very little information. Or we may need to get detailed location information from you. Please contact us directly to get started.
Q: Is it illegal to operate drones commercially?
A: It is only illegal to operate commercially if you do not have the proper licensing. All of our UAS operators are licensed pilots and have an FAA Part 107 UAS Airman Certificate and/or Section 333 Exemption. On August 29, 2016, new FAA regulations (part 107) went into effect. Please refer to the chart at the bottom of this page for more information. Anyone operating drones commercially is required to have the proper certifications and regulatory requirements in place.
Q: How high can you fly?
A: The FAA guidelines state that UAS devices can fly no higher than 400 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) without a Certificate of Waiverfrom the FAA. Most of the time we don’t need to get above 200 feet to capture the subject so this is usually not an issue. An example of a valid reason to petition for permission to exceed the standard 400′ height restriction would be for wind turbine inspection since some of them are close to 400′ tall with the blades. This rule is in effect to protect manned aircraft, who have a general “floor” of 500 feet in most locations. *Please note this manned aircraft rule does not apply near airports.* Manned aircraft may be flying at much lower altitudes when coming in for a landing. And helicopters may fly at any altitude depending on the circumstances (Rescue choppers may land almost anywhere) so the key to safety is to remain vigilant, listen for manned aircraft, and follow the rules.
Q: Can you fly at night?
A: No, but it can be approved under part 107 with a valid reason. Night flying presents a number of dangers. The regulations state that drones can only fly between sunrise and sunset unless an exemption is granted from this rule by the FAA.
Q: Can you fly drones near airports?
A: It depends on the airport. Some require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or the local Air Traffic Control tower (ATC) and some do not. Contact us with the address of your project and we can find out for you.
Q: How long can you fly?
A: Our Drones can operate for 12-25 minutes on a single battery depending on the aircraft we use, the wind speed, air temperature, aircraft load, and other conditions. Each of our units have multiple batteries in order to extend flight time with additional 12-25 minute flights. We also have the ability to charge batteries on location so we can fly uninterrupted for an entire day if needed.
Q: Can you fly indoors?
A: Yes and no. While the FAA frowns upon it, it is not legally restricted and is in fact technically possible with the obstacle avoidance technology now present in the latest drones. We do not recommend it in most cases, as it can be dangerous both to people and property. Drones can only be flown in manual mode indoors (no GPS) which can be unpredictable, even with experienced pilots and ideal conditions. We have other options for interior video including a custom rolling stabilized camera dolly, handheld gimbals, cable cam, motorized power-chair/dolly, and fluid head tripods.
Q: What kind of video and image processing do you offer?
A: All still images captured from our drones are professionally edited before the final images are delivered. We offer a full video production shop and have the ability to add attractive title pages, text boxes, custom graphics, and other effects. We use video stabilization to smooth out bumps in flight, add licensed background audio tracks, and can even add moving text & graphics to our videos.
