Frequently asked questions

The weather decides. FAA rules require at least 3 statute miles of visibility and set minimum distances from clouds. Rain, strong or gusty wind, fog and smoke are all reasons to hold off, and roof photos also need a dry roof with no snow. If conditions aren’t safe, or won’t produce the images you need, we reschedule with you.

Often, yes, with FAA permission. Near many airports the airspace is controlled, and we need FAA authorization before flying. Many locations can be approved through the FAA’s LAANC system, often within minutes, up to a set altitude. Others need a manual FAA review, either a “further coordination” request through LAANC (filed at least 72 hours ahead) or a request through FAA DroneZone. Manual reviews take longer and can be denied. We check the airspace for your address before we quote.

Usually for one of two reasons: weather, or a temporary flight restriction. The FAA can close airspace on short notice for wildfires, VIP visits and emergencies, and major sporting events carry standing restrictions around game time. We check for restrictions before every flight, and if one covers your site, we reschedule.

FAA rules limit flying over people who aren’t directly involved in flying the drone, and that includes guests and the people being filmed. Flying over crowds is restricted even further. We plan flight paths that capture the scene from beside and around guests, not over them. Large stadium events also have standing flight restrictions. Tell us the expected crowd size and layout, and we’ll tell you what’s possible.

The FAA regulates flight safety. Privacy is covered by state and local law, which varies from place to place. Our practice is simple: we frame shots on the property we’ve been hired to photograph, avoid lingering over neighboring homes, don’t aim cameras into neighbors’ windows or yards, and avoid capturing identifiable people. For some jobs we’ll suggest giving the neighbors a heads-up.

Privacy questions or requests can go to drew@drewsdrone.services.

Remote ID is a signal that drones required to be registered with the FAA, including every drone used for commercial (Part 107) flights, must broadcast while flying. It works like a digital license plate: it shares the drone’s ID and location, plus the location of the pilot or the takeoff point. Anyone nearby with a compatible app can receive it, but only the FAA and authorized law enforcement can link it to the owner’s registration.

FAA rules allow night and twilight flights only with anti-collision lighting visible for at least 3 statute miles, and night flights also require a pilot trained for night operations. Airspace approvals still apply. If your job needs dusk or after-dark shots, mention it in your request and we’ll tell you what’s possible for your site.

No. Our aerial maps (orthomosaics) and 3D models are visual references for planning, marketing and visualization, not measurement tools. They are not a licensed land survey and don’t establish boundaries, legal descriptions or measurements. In some states, maps and models that contain measurable data count as land surveying, so we check your state’s rules before we quote. For surveys and measurements, hire a licensed professional land surveyor. More about mapping and 3D models.

A drone can photograph your roof in detail and show visible problems such as missing or displaced material, debris and worn areas. Deciding whether something is damage, and what it means for a repair or an insurance claim, is a job for your roofer, adjuster or inspector. We capture and organize the photos, and they make the call. More about roof photos.

Not as a standard service. Thermal and crop-health (NDVI) imaging need specialty sensors. If you need either, ask, and we’ll tell you honestly whether it’s something we can do.

No. Property lines are a legal matter for a licensed land surveyor, and lines drawn from public parcel maps can be off. We can label features such as ponds, barns and roads on an overview graphic, marked as approximate.