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SkyPhotos LLC

Common Questions I get asked

Here are the most frequently asked questions I receive. If you want to ask something else, please contact me and I'm happy to answer questions!

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Are you Licensed to Fly Commercially?
Chief Pilot Craig looking Badass

​​Sky Photos LLC's Chief Pilot Is Certified to Fly by The FAA

This license is  re-certified every two years. 
What Insurance do you carry?

​​Sky Photos LLC carries Flight, Business, Umbrella, Workers Compensation, and Disability insurance.

Insurance data is available by request. There will be an additional contract charge to add an "additional insured" to any contract. 
What Credentials do you have?

​​Chief Pilot Craig has these Credentials:​

  • TWIC - the Transportation Worker Identification Credential. Federal identification credential which is required for workers needing unescorted access to secure areas of maritime facilities, ports, and vessels. 
  • L1 SUAS Thermal. Level 1 Small Unscrewed Aerial System Thermal Operations. Issued by the Infrared Training Center, this credential certifies knowledge and experience with thermal image interpretation and equipment operations.
  • OSHA 10 - Occupational Safety and Health Administration's 10 hour construction course. 
  • Scanifly Surveyor Associate and Advanced Surveyor Program. Scanifly is an industry standard solar roofing data gathering tool used to design and understand solar installations.
  • Radiofrequency (RF) Safety and Hazard Awareness  Provides information on operations around RF and high frequency equipment.
  • TRUST - The Recreational UAS Safety Test. This is what recreational pilots need to fly.
  • Collegiate Minors in Computer art and Environmental Science. Our chief Pilot has extensive photographic post processs background!


Other certifications include ITIL Foundations, Six Sigma, FEMA, SkyWarn, A+, and  Network+

Stay on track with certified professional operations.

 

What is your project Turnaround Time

​​Project Turn times are largely dependent on the project.  

A typical single real estate mission takes less than 48 hours to process and post to a downloadable album. 

Video will add some time, as will custom modifications. 

Many projects can be delivered in the same day, but of course if there are any issues or delays, this will be communicated immediately. We do nearly all the editing in-house, but we are keenly aware of deadlines!

What is your standard travel policy?
Flying over alligators in Georgia.

​​Sky Photos aerial services are available nationwide with travel/per diem arrangements, but the common service area is the greater capital region of NY, western MA, and VT.  Generally anything outside of a 40 mile radius from the Rensselaer/Albany Train station will have a small per mile travel charge. 

Sky Photos has traveled to Florida, Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire, and several US Islands for different missions. We are not currently certified to fly in different countries, but would welcome the excuse to gain that certification!

What weather can you fly in?
Weather Delays

​​Weather can derail any plans. 

Sky Photos checks the weather obsessively every day. There are specific weather flight limits imposed by the FAA, and for safety reasons Sky Photos will always abide by them. Missions can be rescheduled, but safety cannot.  
Depending on the drone or mission, some flights may occur in light rain or snow, and these small aircraft are surprisingly wind resistant up to 35 MPH in most cases. 
The limits the FAA impose are: 

  • You must have at least 3 statute miles of flight visibility as observed from the control station before launch.
  • The drone must stay no closer than 500 feet below any cloud overhead.
  • It must also remain at least 2 000 feet horizontally from any cloud in the area
  • If you fly during civil twilight or night operations, the aircraft must carry anti-collision lights visible for at least 3 statute miles

There are a bunch more rules and nuance but these are the basics. 
Where can you fly?
A recent job in restricted airspace

​​Sky Photos can fly nearly anywhere with enough notice.Sky Photos can fly nearly anywhere with enough notice.

Sky Photos maintains pre-authorization to fly in Schenectady, NY and can obtain instant authorization to fly in nearly every other location nearby.
Certain locations, such as near airports or restricted locations, require advance notice and coordination to ensure safe operations and adherence to local, state and federal regulations.