With over 400,000 licensed commercial drone pilots in the country, competition can be fierce. This is especially true in heavily populated areas where clients, such as real estate agents, probably already have a go-to pilot. The good news is that there is still plenty of work out there if you know where to look.
While going after clients who already have a preferred pilot can be tough, there are other options available for pilots, especially new drone pilots, to capture lucrative contracts. One of the best resources out there are drone pilot networks.
Drone pilot networks are online platforms that connect UAV pilots with people looking to hire drone service providers. It’s a one-stop shop for drone services.
My own drone service company takes advantage of these networks and has greatly benefited from the work available on the various pilot networks. Here’s an introduction to a few of my favorite networking sites with some tips for landing gigs through them.
Your Ticket to Admission
Before we jump into pilot networks, we need to address what you need to find work on them.
In the United States, anyone looking to earn money with a drone must have a Remote Pilot Certificate with a Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) rating. The certificate is commonly referred to as Part 107. If you fly a drone and earn money without a license, you are violating federal law and can face serious fines, including jail time.
Earning a Part 107 can be accomplished by taking and passing the Part 107 exam at one of the FAA-approved testing centers. The test covers a lot of material, and unless you are already a pilot for crewed aircraft, you will need to learn the material in advance. Most people use online test preparation courses, such as those offered by Altitude University and the Pilot Institute. You can also study on your own using books from trusted online stores in the aviation industry, like Sporty’s.
Remember, without a license, you can not legally provide drone services. Most pilot networks require you to provide them with your Part 107 certificate before you can even participate on the site.
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What Are Drone Pilot Networks?
Drone pilot networks are online platforms where individuals, businesses, or organizations can find licensed drone pilots.
Each site is a little different, but generally, someone looking to hire a drone pilot contacts the site and describes the type of work they need done. Drone pilots are then contacted, or the job is posted for drone pilots to bid on. Once selected, a pilot completes the work for the client and is paid through the site after the client approves the work.
There are many benefits to drone pilot networks. Some of the most important include the following:
- Standardized hiring process
- Verified pilot credentials
- Flexible pilot work schedule
- Easy transfer of funds
Whether you’re a pilot looking for freelance work or looking to build long-term repeat clients, these networks are one of the best places to start.
Some of My Favorite Networks
There are many pilot networks available, and each one is slightly different. We’ll list four of the networks that tend to see more traffic than others. After a brief discussion of each site, we’ll discuss a few tips to help you find success on drone pilot networks. Our list of networks includes the following sites:
Droners.io is one of my favorite sites. The network has been in existence for many years, but its ownership has changed hands several times. In many cases, the business wasn’t managed as well as it could have been, and the company went bankrupt a few years ago. In April 2024, the site was purchased by the Apke brothers and has been growing ever since.
The site operates on a bidding model. People looking to hire drone pilots post a job on the site, specifying the work needed and sometimes including a budget. Pilots then send proposals to the client.
While you cannot see what other pilots are bidding, you can get a sense of the bid range based on the number of people bidding. In general, the more pilots bidding, the lower your bid should be to get hired. The site takes a flat 10 percent commission on any gigs you complete on its platform.
- Pros: Large marketplace with work in many industries, easy-to-use platform with pilot profiles and portfolios, ability to set your rates, and a great place to build a freelance business.
- Cons: High competition, fees are deducted from earnings before you are paid, and some jobs have very low budgets.
The Droning Company operates under the membership model. Pilots pay either $10 per month or $99 annually to access the site. As part of the membership, the site promotes pilot profiles to potential clients. There is a “pilot of the week” and a video reel of the week to get you and your business more attention. Another great benefit of the membership fee is that, unlike most pilot networks, the Drone Company has no fees on your earnings. You keep whatever you earn.
When you log in to the site, you will see some of the available drone gigs. To connect with the client, you must be a member first. The site and its owner, rock musician Stuart Smith, are focused on building a community around the platform. They have brought together a team of industry experts to cover drone news through podcasts, videos, and blogs.
- Pros: Strong focus on community, low monthly/annual fee, no commission on gigs, promotion of pilot profiles.
- Cons: Fewer postings than other sites, less emphasis on corporate projects, may take extra effort to stand out if you are not the pilot of the week
For those of us who have been around the drone industry for a few years, you probably remember Zeitview when it was known as DroneBase. Zeitview isn’t run on a membership or bidding model. Instead, the site deals directly with the client and then contacts pilots who might be interested in completing the work.
After setting up a profile, you list the assets (drones and other equipment), the training you have, and the region of the country in which you are willing to work. If your profile matches what the client needs, Zeitview will contact you and ask if you’re willing to do the work for a specific amount. You never know what the client is paying for the job or how much Zeitview is keeping. You only know what Zeitview is offering you. If you accept, you complete the work, send it the pictures/videos and get paid.
- Pros: The site works with major clients, including energy companies, has a reliable payment structure, and has the potential for high-end commercial work.
- Cons: You must operate by the site’s guidelines, with no control over the amount you are offered. You can occasionally ask for a little more, but it’s rare to get it. The business focus means there are fewer creative products.
FlyGuys is a nationwide pilot network covering a wide range of clients at the enterprise level. Their network’s model is similar to Zeitview, where they deal directly with clients. Instead of matching you with clients like real estate agents, you’ll be working on projects like cell tower inspections. The company will give you an initial offer for what the gig pays, but if it wants to work with you, there is some flexibility in the amount you will actually get paid.
Some of the work, like cell tower inspections, will have very detailed instructions guiding you on what needs to be done. I was working with the company on one project to inspect numerous cell towers and ended up needing a binder to hold the instructions, so I wouldn’t miss anything in the numerous pages of step-by-step guidelines.
- Pros: Works with enterprise-level clients, has a great reputation, makes fast payments, and offers recurring opportunities if your work is good.
- Cons: Very selective about the pilots it works with, limited control over pricing, few jobs in less populated areas.
Tips From the Pros for Success on Drone Pilot Networks
Drone pilot networks can be a great way to earn money and meet new clients. With so many pilots looking to land gigs on these sites, you’ll need to take a proactive stance if you want to stand out from the crowd. Here are three keys to success.
First, ensure you have a great pilot profile on each site. While not all sites allow you to build a profile, on those that do, you need to ensure your profile stands out. Make sure to complete the full profile. If the site allows you to add a portfolio of your work, include it. Some pilots will just put their names and rates. Clients looking to hire the best pilot for their job are not going to choose you if your profile doesn’t show examples of your work when other pilots do. The bottom line is to make sure to complete all aspects of your pilot profile on every site.
Next, you will need to fly quality drones that clients respect. DJI is the manufacturer most clients are familiar with. At a minimum, you should have a drone like the DJI Air 3S. If the work is for enterprise-level clients, like those you’ll find with FlyGuys, you’ll need an even better drone.
Finally, with the number of pilots competing for work on drone pilot networks, you’ll need to respond quickly to potential clients. I’ve had several times when I didn’t see a project on a particular network after it was posted by the client, and within 15 minutes, they had already hired someone else. You need to be proactive about finding gigs on pilot networks, or someone else will get the job before you do.
Pilot networks are a great way to get some freelance work as a drone pilot or grow your existing business. Each network is a little different, but finding success is a matter of being professional, having a complete pilot profile, having a quality drone, and being timely in your communications with clients. If you haven’t already, explore these networks, and if you are not licensed, be sure to check out Altitude University, the Pilot Institute, and Sporty’s to get your career as a drone pilot up and running.
FAQ
Can I join a drone pilot network if I just got my Part 107 license?
Yes, most networks welcome newly licensed pilots, but having a strong portfolio helps you stand out.
Do drone pilot networks guarantee a steady flow of jobs?
No, while networks offer opportunities, job availability depends on your location, skills, and responsiveness.
How much can I realistically earn from drone pilot networks?
Earnings vary widely, but pilots often make anywhere from $100 to $500-plus per job, depending on complexity.
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