What should I look for in a drone company?
The FAA requires Part 107 certification, or Section 333 exemption, for all commercial operations of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
RULE OF THUMB: Keep it Safe & Legal.
Always protect yourself and others. There are many Long Island drone companies that are qualified for commercial operations, however, it is in good practice to request and verify proof of their FAA certifications and insurance before you hire them. The safety and legal hazards of using uncertified/uninsured drone photographers are not worth the risk.
L.I. Drone Shots holds a Part 107 certification and a full-liability insurance policy for UAS Commercial Operations.
What areas does L.I. Drone Shots cover?
We primarily cover Nassau County and Suffolk County.
Is your work guaranteed?
Customer satisfaction is important to us, and if for any reason you are not satisfied, every effort will be made to correct it, even if it means re-shooting.
To ensure a high-quality product, extensive pre-planning is done. Depending on the project, it may be best to shoot during certain times of the day. Also, weather plays a very important role in the quality of the product. Because of that, we do ask for some flexibility.
What is the process?
When we are informed of a job, we research the site where the work is to be performed and determine if there are any restrictions which may limit or prevent us from flying. Depending on the area, waivers from the FAA may be required to operate within certain airspace.
Next, we pick a time that works for everyone and put it in the schedule. To get the best quality shots, we'll want to make sure the weather is nice, and this part may require a little flexibility.
After the pictures and videos are taken, we will process them and complete any editing as requested. Prior to the final delivery, a draft will be sent for your review.
Once you are satisfied, we will finalize the product and send it over to you.
How high do you fly?
As commercial drone operators we are restricted to 400 feet. Depending on the location, that restriction may be lower. We may not be allowed to fly at all if there are airports in the vicinity.
Generally speaking though, most jobs are done below 200 feet. As part of the pre-planning process, we review the airspace and let you know if there will be any restrictions.
What drone do you use?
We use the DJI Phantom 4 Pro which is quadcopter and capable of 20mp images and 4k UHD video at 60 frames per second. The camera has 3 axis stabilization which allows for an ultra-smooth video.
Always playing it safe, we shoot 20 minutes of footage at a time and carry multiple batteries so we can continue working without having to wait for batteries to charge.
As an additional safety measure, the Phantom 4 Pro has a built-in obstacle detection and collision avoidance system. There are many options available, and if you have any questions regarding recording quality or capability, please let us know.