Legal and Safety

Whether flying for fun or piloting a challenging mission, safety and compliance with laws and regulations should be at the forefront of any pilot’s mind. Learn more below about how we work to keep you and your property safe and secure during our drone operations.

Regulatory Compliance & Licensing

  • FAA Certification: All missions are flown by an FAA Part 107 licensed Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC)

  • Airspace Authorization: We handle all necessary FAA authorizations. If a project is located in restricted airspace (near airports or government facilities) and we cannot secure a digital waiver, we will notify you immediately to discuss legal alternatives.

  • Insurance Coverage: We maintain comprehensive liability insurance specifically for drone operations to protect your property and interests.

Operational Limitations (What We Cannot Do)

To remain compliant with federal law and safety best practices, we cannot:

  • Fly Over Unprotected People: We do not fly directly over crowds or individuals not involved in the flight operation without specific safety hardware or waivers.

  • Fly At Night Without Safety Equipment: While we can fly at night, this requires specialized lighting and advanced notice for mission planning.

  • Fly in Inclement Weather: For the safety of the aircraft and your property, we will not fly in high winds (typically above 20 mph), precipitation, or thick fog.

  • Fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS): Our pilots must maintain a direct line of sight with the drone at all times.

  • Fly Greater Than 400 Feet Above Ground Level (AGL): FAA regulations prohibit us from flying more than 400’ AGL except if we are within 400’ of a structure, and then we cannot fly more than 400’ above the top of that structure.

Site Safety & Property Protection

  • Pre-Flight Inspection: Every mission begins with a "Circle of Safety" inspection of the aircraft and a site survey to identify obstacles like power lines, trees, or antennas.

  • Safe Buffer Zones: We maintain a minimum safe distance from structures and bystanders during takeoff and landing.

  • Respect for Privacy: We are committed to ethical filming. We will not capture images of neighboring properties or individuals where a "reasonable expectation of privacy" exists.

Emergency Procedures

  • Lost Link Safeguards: Our drones are equipped with "Return to Home" (RTH) technology. In the rare event of a signal loss, the aircraft is programmed to automatically climb to a safe altitude and return to its specific launch point.

  • Flight Termination: Our pilots are trained to immediately ground the aircraft if a manned helicopter or plane enters the vicinity or if a safety hazard arises on the ground.