Clear answers to common questions.

AER Operations is based in Worthington, Ohio and primarily serves Central Ohio and surrounding areas. We also deploy nationally for projects that fit our scope and scheduling. If you're outside Ohio, reach out — we work with clients across the US.

Yes. AER Operations holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate, the legal requirement for all commercial drone operations. For crewed aircraft work, the owner holds an FAA Private Pilot certificate, Airplane Single-Engine Land, with an Instrument Rating; the Commercial certificate is currently in progress. Every flight is conducted in full compliance with FAA regulations.

Yes. AER Operations carries commercial liability insurance on all drone operations. For crewed aircraft work, non-owned aircraft liability coverage is arranged for each engagement. A Certificate of Insurance (COI) can be provided upon request — commonly required by property managers, general contractors, aircraft owners, and brokers.

Both. Drone services cover photography, mapping, inspection, and documentation. Crewed fixed-wing services cover aircraft ferry and repositioning, contract and safety pilot work, aerial survey, and corridor patrol — work where a drone's range, endurance, or altitude ceiling isn't sufficient, or where an owner simply needs a qualified pilot for their aircraft. See our Pilot Services page for details.

Yes — for interiors and enclosed spaces a drone can't safely reach, like home interiors, crawlspaces, mechanical rooms, and tank or pipe interiors, we offer hands-free walkthrough video as an add-on to Real Estate Marketing, Infrastructure Inspection, Construction & Site Mapping, and Digital Twin & Facility Scanning. It's documentation-grade footage that pairs with our aerial work rather than replacing it.

AER Operations is currently accepting inquiries and scoping crewed aircraft engagements, but is not yet flying paid crewed work. The owner holds an FAA Private Pilot certificate, Airplane Single-Engine Land, with an Instrument Rating; the Commercial Pilot certificate required to fly these services for compensation is in progress. We will not accept or fly a compensated crewed flight before that certificate is issued. Reach out now to discuss your project and reserve availability, and we'll give you an honest timeline for your specific need.

A ferry flight moves an aircraft from one location to another without carrying passengers or cargo for hire — for example, delivering a newly purchased aircraft to its owner, taking an aircraft to a pre-buy inspection or maintenance facility, or returning it after an annual. Ferry flights are conducted under Part 91 and do not require an air carrier operating certificate.

Single-engine piston aircraft, subject to insurance approval and any type-specific endorsement requirements. Every engagement starts with a review of the aircraft make and model, its airworthiness status, and the owner's or insurer's pilot requirements. If an aircraft falls outside our current qualifications, we'll tell you upfront rather than take the job.

No. AER Operations does not hold a Part 135 air carrier certificate and does not provide charter, on-demand passenger service, air taxi, or transportation of persons or property for compensation or hire. We do not own, lease, or supply aircraft, and we do not arrange aircraft on a client's behalf. If your need falls outside the services we list, we will refer you to a certificated operator.

Because it isn't carriage for hire. On a contract pilot engagement, you own or independently control the aircraft and remain the operator — you decide where and when it flies. We're compensated for piloting services only, not for transporting you. You're flying your own aircraft with a hired pilot, which is ordinary Part 91 flying.

That's different from our ferry, positioning, and check flights (services 01, 02, and 07), which rely on the §119.1(e) exceptions and are flown solo. Aerial work flights (03–04) are solo by default, though personnel essential to the work may be carried. The distinction turns on who supplies the aircraft and who holds operational control.

Yes, when they're essential to performing the work. FAA Chief Counsel interpretations of §119.1(e)(4)(iii) permit persons necessary to the aerial work — your photographer, sensor operator, or a utility observer — to be aboard. Two constraints apply: the flight must begin and end at the same point (everyone returns to where they boarded), and the flight can't double as transportation — we can't drop anyone off somewhere else along the way.

Under §91.109, a pilot practicing under a view-limiting device must have a qualified safety pilot aboard to watch for traffic. It's how instrument-rated owners stay proficient and log simulated instrument time in their own aircraft. The regulation requires only a private certificate, appropriate category and class ratings, and a current medical; we bring a commercial certificate and instrument rating as well.

Pricing depends on the service, location, scope, and deliverables required. We publish starting prices for drone services as a reference point, but every project is quoted individually. Crewed aircraft work is quoted per engagement rather than from a rate card, since it depends on the aircraft, route, fuel, and any positioning or return travel required. Submit a quote request and we'll respond with a detailed, itemized quote within 24 hours.

For drone work, standard turnaround is 48 hours from the date of the flight. Same-day delivery is available for select services — including insurance claim documentation and real estate listings — at an additional fee. Mapping and 3D modeling projects may have longer timelines depending on scope.

For crewed aircraft work, timelines depend on the flight itself: ferry legs are scheduled around weather, aircraft availability, and airworthiness, and you receive the aircraft condition report, squawk log, and receipts on arrival. Survey and patrol imagery is delivered on the same 48-hour standard.

Photo deliverables are provided as high-resolution JPEGs and optionally RAW files. Video is delivered as edited MP4 files. Mapping outputs include GeoTIFF orthomosaics, point clouds, and PDF reports depending on the project. Specific format requirements can be accommodated — just let us know upfront.

Flight safety is always the priority. If weather conditions make a flight unsafe or would produce substandard results, we will reschedule at no additional cost. We monitor conditions closely and communicate proactively before your scheduled flight date.

On crewed flights, this includes en route decisions: if conditions deteriorate mid-leg, we will divert, land, and wait rather than continue. Ferry timelines are estimates, not guarantees, and delays for weather or maintenance are a normal part of the work. Any additional expenses incurred during a weather delay are handled as set out in your engagement agreement.

Yes, with proper authorization. Night drone operations require specific FAA compliance including anti-collision lighting. Twilight and golden hour flights are available for real estate and media clients. Contact us to discuss your specific requirements.

Crewed flights are scheduled for daylight VFR conditions by default. Night or IFR legs are evaluated case by case based on the specific aircraft, its equipment and airworthiness status, weather, and the owner's or insurer's requirements. If a route can't be flown safely and within those limits, we'll say so and reschedule rather than press on.

Yes. Recurring contracts are available for construction progress monitoring, agriculture crop monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and other services that benefit from scheduled, regular flights. Recurring clients receive preferred pricing and priority scheduling.

Absolutely. Real estate marketing is one of our most in-demand services. We work with individual agents, brokers, and teams on a per-listing or retainer basis. Same-day delivery is available for qualifying listings.

Use the quote request form on our Contact page. Include your project details — service needed, location, timeline, and any specific deliverable requirements. We review every request and respond by email within 24 hours.