What is Sky Safari Drones?
Sky Safari Drones is a drone services company in Seattle, Washington. We use camera drones, still and video cameras, lights, microphones to capture mixed media content to your specifications.
What Types of Services Do You Offer?
We offer commercial video and still image drone photography related to Architecture, Adventure Sports, Tourism Operations, Drone Tourism, and we offer Flight Training. We use drones for aerial photography and videography and conventional still and video cameras, lighting and microphones for ground-level content.
What Experience Do You Have?
Chuck & Mark are both private (single engine land) pilots and FAA 14 CFR Part 107 commercial drone pilots.
They have taught & lectured at the graduate and undergraduate level at University of Washington, Gonzaga University (Spokane and Florence, Italy), Boston University and at Seattle University. They are workshop instructors at the Photographic Center Northwest teaching Drone Photography Workshops.
Additionally, Mark is an Emmy award winning writer, producer and videographer. His career spans broadcast TV, corporate media and communications among the Fortune 100. And he received cinema training from Vilmos Zsigmond at the famed Maine Media Workshops.
Chuck is an internationally recognized award winning photographer and adventure traveler. He is a commercial photographer specializing in travel, landscape, adventure, architecture, and astro-photography. He's been published in BMW Owners News magazine, Alaska Airlines in-flight magazine, and numerous books, and client websites.
Do I have to be an Experienced Pilot to Tour With You?
Nope, whether you're a beginner or an experienced pilot, you learn a lot and have a ton of fun. Plus we have pre-tour sessions oriented to helping beginner pilots develop their skills. And we have post tour sessions devoted to extending advanced pilots' flying and cinematography skills. No matter your skill level, you'll learn a lot and we'll make you better.
Our pilot guides are private (single engine land) pilots and hold current FAA 14 CFR Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot Certificates. If the FAA trusts us, maybe you should, too. And we've lectured and taught at University of Washington, Boston University, Gonzaga University (Spokane and Florence, Italy, and Seattle University. We offer Drone Photography Workshops at the Photographic center Northwest.
For Your Tours - Do I have to Hold a Pilot Certificate?
Yes. To fly legally in the US, recreational pilots must hold a TRUST Certificate issued by the FAA. Commercial pilots must hold a 14 CFR Part 107 Certificate issued by the FAA. You will need to show us a valid certificate to join our tours. Other countries have different licensing requirements. If you have a non-US certificate, please consult with the FAA. If you don't have a TRUST Certificate, we can help you get one. We recommend Pilot Institute to prepare you for the Part 107 FAA Exam - That's how we did it years ago - Guaranteed to Pass.
Get TRUST Certificate from Our Sponsor - Pilot Institute
Get Part 107 Training from Our Sponsor - Pilot Institute
For Your Tours - Does My Drone Need to be Registered?
Your drone must satisfy FAA registration requirements. If you're flying a drone that weighs less than 250 grams and you fly recreationally, then no. Otherwise, yes. Also, know and follow the requirements regarding Remote ID on your drone.
Create an FAA Account and Register Your Drone
Are Your Tours Safe?
We mitigate risk by: 1) Requiring all pilots have an appropriate pilot certificate; 2) Following protocols designed to enhance VLOS safety and separation of pilots and drones; 3) Conducting a rigorous pre-mission safety briefing to orient pilots to site specific hazards and avoidance techniques; 4) Requiring our pilot/guides all possess a current 14 CFR Part 107 certificate and years of flight experience; and 5) Monitoring every element of our activities including weather. We reserve the right to eject unsafe pilots from the mission or the tour. Still all activities have risks and flying drones is no exception. We recommend our guests obtain Drone Liability and Hull Insurance. This is inexpensive and available by the day, week, month or year.
Can I Fly Over People on Your Tours?
Yes, and no. For any tour, the senior pilots and all tour participants agree in the Terms & Conditions you sign that they have been "notified" there will drones overhead and are therefore "participants" according to the FAA. So yes, be careful and fly safely well above our group members if you wish. It's legal.
And no? People that are not part of the tour have not been so notified, and are not participants. You may not legally fly over them or their moving vehicles. This is for their safety. Flying over them is an FAA infraction and may subject you to penalties.
On Your Photo/Video Tours - Do I Need to be an Experienced Photographer
Nope, our senior pilots are world recognized photographers and Emmy-award-winning writers, producers and cinematographers. We have experience all photographers and videographers will benefit from. We'll make you better.
What Kind of Drones do you Use on Your Tours?
We are optimized for dji consumer drones. Think Mini, Air, Mavic series drones. But you'll be flying your own drone, using your own controller, and we can deal with almost any manufacture's drones. Our focus is on photography and videography. If you fly FPV, please contact us to discuss.