Aerial and master plan 3D renderings

The most convincing aerial sets the development into a drone photograph of the real site, and in the US that photograph is flown under the FAA’s rules. A drone of less than 55 pounds can be flown for work or business under Part 107: the pilot holds an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate, earned by passing the FAA’s knowledge test, and the drone is registered with the FAA, which costs $5 and lasts three years, and has had to broadcast Remote ID since September 16, 2023. The pilot keeps it within visual line of sight and below 400 feet.

Near an airport, in controlled airspace, the flight also needs an FAA airspace authorization. Through LAANC it can come back in near-real time, but only up to the height the FAA’s UAS Facility Map pre-approves at that spot; a higher view, still under 400 feet, goes to further coordination, which has to be requested at least 72 hours before the flight. A dusk aerial is possible too: since April 21, 2021, a Part 107 pilot may fly at night without a waiver by meeting the rule’s requirements, including anti-collision lighting visible for three statute miles. So if the site sits under an airport’s airspace, or the view needs height or dusk light, book the pilot early. We specify each shot for your drone pilot, its position, height, lens and time of day, and render the development to match the photograph.

Sources: Federal Aviation Administration, Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators; Federal Aviation Administration, Part 107 Airspace Authorizations; Federal Aviation Administration, Getting Started