Freelance FPV & Aerial Drone Pilot
Fly with BuzzAerial.
We are expanding our network of professional drone pilots in San Diego.
We are looking for experienced FAA Part 107-certified pilots who fly cinematic indoor FPV fly-throughs. Traditional aerial drone photography and videography is a plus.
We bring the clients and coordinate the projects. You bring the skills, equipment and creativity.
$80/hour
2-hour minimum per job
- FAA Part 107 required
- Indoor FPV, aerial a plus
- Nonexclusive, choose your shoots
What will you do?
Fly residential and commercial real estate shoots across coastal, central and North County San Diego.
Projects are offered based on client demand, location, qualifications and availability.
Your assignments may include:
- Capturing cinematic indoor FPV fly-throughs.
- Producing smooth, professional aerial drone footage (if you fly aerial).
- Taking high-quality aerial photographs of properties (if you fly aerial).
- Following project briefs and shot lists.
- Coordinating shoot schedules and property access.
- Delivering organized footage and photographs for post-production.
- Maintaining safe, professional operations on location.
What are we looking for?
Required qualifications
- Current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
- Demonstrated experience flying FPV drones indoors.
- Ownership of professional FPV drone equipment.
- Portfolio showcasing your indoor FPV work.
- Strong understanding of drone safety and FAA regulations.
- Reliable transportation across San Diego County.
- Professional communication and dependable project delivery.
Bonus skills
- Conventional aerial drone photography and videography, with your own aerial drone.
- Professional real estate photography.
- Ground-level real estate videography.
- Photo and video editing.
- Experience filming luxury homes and commercial properties.
- Experience working with real estate agents and property managers.
- Drone liability insurance.
Why work with BuzzAerial?
More opportunities to fly
We handle marketing, prospecting and customer acquisition so you can focus on production.
Flexible projects
Accept assignments that fit your schedule, location and capabilities.
Clear project expectations
Receive project details, deliverables, deadlines and pay before accepting an assignment.
Room to grow
As BuzzAerial expands, qualified contractors may receive opportunities for additional projects and new markets.
How much does it pay?
$80 an hour, with a 2-hour minimum per job.
The hours and total for each job are in the brief, so you know the pay before you accept.
- Engagement
- Independent contractor
- Pay
- $80 per hour
- Minimum per job
- 2 hours ($160)
- Equipment and transportation
- Yours, unless agreed otherwise
- Guaranteed assignments
- None
How does it work?
Apply
Complete the application and share your portfolio.
Portfolio review
We evaluate your FPV work (and aerial work, if you have it), experience and equipment.
Qualification
Selected applicants may be invited to discuss production standards, certification, insurance and availability.
Get project opportunities
Approved contractors may receive invitations to projects that match their skills and service area.
Accept and fly
Review the project details and pay, accept, and complete the assignment.
Join the BuzzAerial pilot network
Have the skills? Show us your work. We are accepting applications from experienced FPV drone pilots serving San Diego County. Aerial photo and video is a plus.
Pre-flight check: do you qualify?
Tick what is true for you. The three required ones open the application; aerial is a plus.
Questions pilots ask
Is this a full-time position?
No. This is an independent contractor opportunity. Assignments are offered one at a time based on project demand.
Do I need conventional aerial drone experience too?
No. Indoor FPV is required. Aerial photo and video is a plus: pilots who fly both can take whole shoots on their own.
Do I need to own my equipment?
Yes. Applicants need their own professional FPV drone equipment, and their own aerial drone if they fly aerial.
Do I need real estate photography experience?
No. It is a plus, but not required.
How much will I earn?
$80 an hour, with a 2-hour minimum per job, so every accepted job pays at least $160. The hours and total are in the brief before you accept.
Can I work with other companies?
Yes. This is a nonexclusive contractor opportunity.
Does applying guarantee projects?
No. Applications are reviewed based on qualifications and production needs. Approved contractors are contacted when suitable projects come up.
Legal notice
- Independent contractor engagement
- This posting describes an independent contractor opportunity, not employment. Contractors run their own business, set their own methods, supply their own equipment and transportation, and pay their own taxes. Nothing on this page is an offer of employment or a contract. The terms of each assignment are set in a written agreement before work begins.
- No guaranteed work
- Applying or being approved does not guarantee any number of assignments or any level of income.
- Nonexclusive
- Contractors are free to work for other clients and companies, including competitors.
- Certification, airspace and insurance
- Contractors are responsible for following FAA Part 107, local rules and property-access conditions, including getting any required airspace authorization (such as LAANC). Before any assignment, BuzzAerial may ask for proof of a current Part 107 certificate and liability insurance.
- Your portfolio
- Links you send are used only to evaluate your application. We will not publish or share your work without your written permission.
- Equal opportunity
- BuzzAerial considers all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status or any other status protected by law.
- Privacy notice at collection
- We collect the details you enter (contact information, location, qualifications, equipment, rate, portfolio links and availability) only to evaluate your application and contact you about projects. We do not sell or share them for advertising. We keep them for up to 24 months unless you ask us to delete them sooner. To see or delete your information, email anton@buzzaerial.com.