How to Hire a Drone Environmental Survey Company: 10-Point Checklist
Ten checks to make before you commission drone ecology, EIA, pest control or emissions work.
Scope and capability
1) Define the discipline and outputs you need. 2) Ask for examples of similar drone environmental projects. 3) Confirm the sensors they will fly (multispectral, thermal, LiDAR, gas detector, water sampler). 4) Ask who analyses the data — a qualified ecologist or GIS specialist?
Credentials
5) FAA Part 107 certificates for every pilot. 6) Part 137 and a state pesticide licence if they will apply any product. 7) Wildlife permits or agency experience for MBTA / ESA species work. 8) Aviation and general liability insurance, plus pollution liability where relevant.
Delivery
9) Agree deliverable formats (GIS layers, orthomosaics, point clouds, reports, treatment logs) and coordinate systems. 10) Agree weather windows, re-fly policy and data ownership in writing.
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