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Aerial Guides

Field guidance on drone thermal payloads — aerial inspection, mapping, and public-safety operations.

Compliance guides

What the FAA rules actually require before a mission flies.

Full reference →
Part 107

Part 107 for New Drone Pilots: The Complete Starting Point

What 14 CFR Part 107 actually requires: the certificate path, the operating limits you use every flight, airspace authorization, Remote ID, and the mistakes that get new pilots violated.

Read guide
Part 108

Part 108 for New Drone Pilots: BVLOS Rules and Where They Stand

Part 108 is the FAA's proposed rule for routine beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight. It is not in effect yet. Here is what it would change, what is legal today, and how to plan around it.

Read guide
Part 109

Part 109 for New Drone Pilots: The Rule That No Longer Exists

There is no Part 109 in the FAA's drone rules, and no Part 109 in 14 CFR at all today. Here is what it used to be, why it still gets quoted, and what to study instead.

Read guide
Part 110

Part 110 for New Drone Pilots: What It Is and Why It Is Not Your Rule

Part 110 is the general-requirements part of the air-carrier certification rules, not a drone rule. Here is what it does, and when it starts to matter to an operator.

Read guide
Part 121

Part 121 for New Drone Pilots: The Airline Rule You Fly Around

Part 121 governs scheduled airline operations — no drone flies under it. But Part 121 traffic is why most of your airspace decisions matter. Here is how to deconflict from it.

Read guide
Part 139

Part 139 for New Drone Pilots: Flying At and Around Certified Airports

Part 139 is airport certification. For a drone pilot it marks the airports where airspace authorization, airport-operator permission and site access are all mandatory — and where one mistake stops the operation.

Read guide

Compliance questions

All rules →
Do I need a license to fly a drone for business?

Yes. Any flight that supports a business or client requires a Remote Pilot Certificate under FAA Part 107 unless it is flown under a public-agency COA. Recreational flights still require passing the free TRUST test.

Is a state drone law different from the FAA rules?

They stack. The FAA sets the airspace and operating rules everywhere, while each state adds its own statutes on privacy, critical infrastructure, wildlife and agency purchasing. A flight is compliant only when it satisfies both.

Do thermal inspection drones need Remote ID?

Any registered drone needs Standard Remote ID or a broadcast module, thermal payload or not. Aircraft without Remote ID may only operate inside an FAA-Recognized Identification Area.

Can a drone be used to locate or hunt game?

Most states prohibit using a drone to locate, drive, track or take game, and some restrict flight over wildlife management areas. The state wildlife agency's rule controls on top of the FAA rules.

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Guide library

13 guides

Drone model

Category

Use case

Regulations & compliance

Part 107 for New Drone Pilots: The Complete Starting Point

What 14 CFR Part 107 actually requires: the certificate path, the operating limits you use every flight, airspace authorization, Remote ID, and the mistakes that get new pilots violated.

4 min read
Regulations & compliance

Part 108 for New Drone Pilots: BVLOS Rules and Where They Stand

Part 108 is the FAA's proposed rule for routine beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight. It is not in effect yet. Here is what it would change, what is legal today, and how to plan around it.

3 min read
Regulations & compliance

Part 109 for New Drone Pilots: The Rule That No Longer Exists

There is no Part 109 in the FAA's drone rules, and no Part 109 in 14 CFR at all today. Here is what it used to be, why it still gets quoted, and what to study instead.

2 min read
Regulations & compliance

Part 110 for New Drone Pilots: What It Is and Why It Is Not Your Rule

Part 110 is the general-requirements part of the air-carrier certification rules, not a drone rule. Here is what it does, and when it starts to matter to an operator.

2 min read
Regulations & compliance

Part 121 for New Drone Pilots: The Airline Rule You Fly Around

Part 121 governs scheduled airline operations — no drone flies under it. But Part 121 traffic is why most of your airspace decisions matter. Here is how to deconflict from it.

2 min read
Regulations & compliance

Part 139 for New Drone Pilots: Flying At and Around Certified Airports

Part 139 is airport certification. For a drone pilot it marks the airports where airspace authorization, airport-operator permission and site access are all mandatory — and where one mistake stops the operation.

3 min read
The Importance of Reliable Power: DJI TB30 Batteries Explained
Batteries & power
DJI Matrice 30 Series

The Importance of Reliable Power: DJI TB30 Batteries Explained

Learn why authentic DJI TB30 batteries are critical for Matrice 30 series thermal performance.

1 min read
Optimizing Fleet Readiness: The DJI BS100 Battery Station
Batteries & power
DJI Matrice 400

Optimizing Fleet Readiness: The DJI BS100 Battery Station

Ensure your drone fleet is always ready with the DJI BS100 Intelligent Battery Station.

1 min read
Mastering Enterprise Flights with the Matrice 4TD and RC Plus 2
Flights & operations
DJI Matrice 4TD

Mastering Enterprise Flights with the Matrice 4TD and RC Plus 2

Learn how the RC Plus 2 controller enhances precision for the Matrice 4TD thermal platform.

1 min read
Revolutionizing Remote Inspection with the DJI Dock 3 and Matrice 4TD
Flights & operations
DJI Matrice 4TD

Revolutionizing Remote Inspection with the DJI Dock 3 and Matrice 4TD

Discover how the automated DJI Dock 3 and Matrice 4TD bundle streamlines industrial inspections.

1 min read
Getting Started with the Autel Ready to Hunt Drone Bundle
Flights & operations

Getting Started with the Autel Ready to Hunt Drone Bundle

Everything you need to master aerial thermal scouting with the Autel Ready to Hunt bundle.

1 min read
Advanced Inspection with the Sentera 6X Thermal Pro
Payloads & sensors
Inspired Flight

Advanced Inspection with the Sentera 6X Thermal Pro

Scale your inspection capabilities with the high-resolution Sentera 6X thermal payload.

1 min read
Which Thermal Brand Fits Your Mission?
Brand guide

Which Thermal Brand Fits Your Mission?

Every thermal maker has a philosophy. Here's the honest read on each manufacturer we carry — and the shooter they suit.

3 min read

Maintenance & repair

Full training library

The checks that keep an airframe flying — and the route to take when one stops.

Before every flight

  • •Inspect every prop — a nick, crack or loose hub retires the prop, it is not a spare.
  • •Wiggle each motor for bearing play and spin it by hand to listen for roughness.
  • •Check gimbal dampers and clean the thermal window with a microfiber cloth.
  • •Confirm batteries are unswollen, cell-balanced and above storage charge.

After every flight

  • •Clear dust and moisture off the airframe, lens and sensor window before it sets.
  • •Let batteries cool to ambient before charging them.
  • •Download imagery and confirm every radiometric file opens correctly.

Monthly or every 10 flight hours

  • •Check arms, landing gear and airframe screws for cracking or loosening.
  • •Verify the gimbal horizon is level against a known-level target.
  • •Read the manufacturer's release notes before any firmware update.

Seasonal & storage

  • •Store batteries at 40–60% charge — never long-term at full or fully discharged.
  • •Keep the aircraft in a padded case with desiccant.
  • •Send the airframe in at the manufacturer's scheduled service interval.

If something breaks

  1. 1Check warranty coverageTerm, what it covers, and what voids it for this airframe.
  2. 2Register the serial numberRegistration is what makes a claim fast instead of a paper trail.
  3. 3File a warranty claimOpen a claim and get a reference to track it with.
  4. 4Reach manufacturer serviceBrand service phone, inbox and repair intake page.
  5. 5Track a repair or returnStatus by claim or shipment reference, no login needed.

Care guides

Manufacturer training & care

Official flight tutorials, thermal-payload training and service programs, published by the manufacturer. Browse the full training library

Skydio

Flight School series from their in-house pilots, plus setup and mission guides.

Inspired Flight

Webinar series with partners on real inspection and public-safety workflows.

Freefly

ALTA X training playlist with a dedicated maintenance episode, plus the factory ground and pilot school.

MicaSense

Sensor setup and data-capture walkthroughs for Altum and RedEdge payloads.

Sentera

Support centre with setup and data-collection video guides for Sentera sensors.

GDU

Official GDU tutorials plus the manufacturer's own video centre.

Vantage Robotics

Vesper operator manual, including the required inspection after every flight.

WISPR Systems

Drone and LiDAR system walkthroughs from the manufacturer.

HIKMICRO

Support centre for firmware, calibration and care of the handheld and payload cameras.