The nine questions below take about five minutes and will narrow your shortlist quickly. Each includes an answer that should concern you.
1. "Are you Part 107 certified?"
Essential. Flying commercially without an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate is illegal. A professional will give you the certificate number without hesitation. Be concerned if: "I'm basically recreational, but I do jobs sometimes."
2. "Are you insured, and can I get a COI?"
Any professional operator carries liability insurance. For construction sites and managed properties, ask for a certificate of insurance naming your company. Be concerned if: the answer is vague.
3. "How do you handle controlled airspace?"
Sites near Newark Liberty, Teterboro, Morristown, and other airports with control towers need FAA authorization, usually through LAANC. An operator who can explain the facility map for your address in plain English knows the process. Be concerned if: "we just keep it low." Inside controlled airspace, flying low doesn't remove the need for authorization.
4. "What happens if the weather's bad?"
Look for a stated policy: a weather call the day before, free rescheduling, and no pressure to fly under a gray sky. Be concerned if: they'll "get something" regardless of conditions.
5. "Who edits the files, and what do I actually receive?"
Deliverables should be specific: edited stills at stated resolutions, video formats, and the delivery method and timeline. Be concerned if: the deliverable is "everything on the card."
6. "Can I see finished work for a property like mine?"
The portfolio should match your project: construction clients should see progress work, brokers should see listings. Be concerned if: the reel is all scenery and no client work.
7. "What's your experience as a pilot — not just with drones?"
We're biased here: our pilot flew C-5s for the Air Force and holds commercial pilot ratings. You don't need that background in every operator, but you do need the habits that come with it: flight planning, weather judgment, and airspace discipline. Ask where theirs come from.
8. "Can you meet my deadline?"
Listing dates, lender meetings, and board presentations don't move. A professional operator asks for the deadline up front, schedules the flight with a weather backup, and expedites editing when needed. Be concerned if: the operator can't give you a delivery date before booking.
9. "What will this cost — and why?"
A quote should be specific to your project and explain what drives it: deliverables, site, airspace, editing, and schedule. Be concerned about both extremes: a suspiciously cheap flight and a vague number that changes after the shoot. Our cost guide explains each factor.
A professional operator will answer all nine without hesitation.