Knoxville Drone Pilot & Camera Operator – Professional Aerial Videography
If you need a commercial drone pilot in Knoxville, I’m usually looking at the job from the production side first.
I’m a camera operator and commercial drone pilot, and I hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107. The goal isn’t simply to get a drone in the air. It’s to get the shots the production actually needs and make sure the aerial footage works with everything else being captured on the ground.
I work with production companies, agencies & direct clients throughout Knoxville and East Tennessee, and I travel nationwide for production.
Commercial Drone Services & Aerial Videography in Knoxville
Drone work can mean aerial video and photography for a larger production, a full day of aerial coverage, construction documentation, tourism, branded content or something considerably more complicated.
Before I fly, I look at the location, airspace, weather, people, vehicles and what we’re actually trying to capture.
Some flights are straightforward. Others take quite a bit of planning before the drone ever comes out of the case.
That’s part of the job.
My commercial drone work includes:
- Commercial & branded productions
- Film, television & documentary support
- Aerial photography & videography
- Tourism & destination content
- Construction & property documentation
- Facility & location aerials
- Events & live production support
- FPV
- Production-company drone support
Four Drones. Different Jobs.
I carry four different drones because not every production or shot calls for the same aircraft.
DJI Mavic 4 Pro
The DJI Mavic 4 Pro is my newest option for traditional commercial aerial work.
Its 100MP 4/3 Hasselblad camera, 6K recording and three-camera system give me more flexibility when a production needs different perspectives or focal lengths without changing aircraft.
It’s a strong option for commercial, documentary, tourism and production work where image quality and flexibility matter.
DJI Mavic 3 Cine
The DJI Mavic 3 Cine remains in my kit for productions that specifically benefit from Apple ProRes recording and its internal 1TB SSD.
Its 4/3 Hasselblad camera still makes it a strong option when ProRes or an established post-production workflow is the priority.
DJI Avata 2 | FPV
The DJI Avata 2 handles a very different kind of shot.
It gives me FPV flight capability with D-Log M recording, which allows for movement through and around environments where a traditional drone shot may not be the best option.
Sometimes you need the clean aerial establishing shot.
Sometimes you want to move with the action.
Having both options lets me choose the aircraft around the shot instead of trying to make one drone do everything.
DJI Mini 3 | Specialized Operations
My DJI Mini 3 has a more specialized role.
This is the aircraft tied to my FAA waivers for qualifying Operations Over People & Operations Over Moving Vehicles.
That does not mean every flight over people or traffic is automatically possible. Every operation still has to be evaluated based on the location, conditions, airspace and requirements of the waiver.
What it does mean is that I have another option available when a production requires something outside a typical drone operation.
FAA Part 107 & FAA Safety Team DronePro
I hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107 and serve as an FAA Safety Team DronePro.
I carry $2 million in drone liability coverage and can provide a COI when required. DronePro is a volunteer role with the FAA Safety Team. I work with the FAASTeam to help promote safe drone operations, education & responsible use of the National Airspace System.
For a client or producer, the important part is simple: I take the aviation side of this seriously.
I want to know what we’re trying to accomplish before shoot day, whether the airspace works, what authorizations may be needed and whether there are any problems we need to solve before the crew is standing around waiting on a drone.
Knoxville Airspace & Flight Planning
A good drone shot starts before takeoff.
Before a commercial flight, I check the location and airspace along with any restrictions or operational issues that could affect the shoot.
If an authorization is required, I want to know that ahead of time.
The same goes for people, traffic, weather, launch and recovery areas and how the drone operation fits into the rest of the production.
I’d much rather solve those problems before the call time than on location.
Working With Production Companies & Agencies
A large part of my work is supporting an existing production rather than running a standalone drone shoot.
If you’re a production company or agency coming into Knoxville and need somebody local to handle aerials, I can work within the crew you already have.
I’m used to working around directors, DPs, producers, camera departments, sound, talent and clients.
I can also handle smaller projects directly when you need camera work on the ground in addition to aerial coverage.
The drone is another camera. It just happens to fly.
Based Near Knoxville. Available Nationwide.
I’m based in Maryville, Tennessee, just outside Knoxville, and regularly work throughout Knoxville, Blount County & East Tennessee.
I also travel nationwide for production work.
If your project is specifically in Maryville or Blount County, you can also see my Maryville drone pilot page.
Hiring a Commercial Drone Pilot in Knoxville?
If you’re hiring a drone pilot for a commercial production, the first things I need are the location, shoot date, what you’re trying to capture and how the footage will be used.
From there I can look at the airspace, determine whether authorization is required, choose the right aircraft and flag any issues before shoot day.
I can provide aerial video, still photography, FPV and production support depending on the project.