Operator policy
The whole policy in four lines
- You're an independent operator. You choose which offers to accept, and there's no minimum.
- You're paid 70% of the services subtotal, before tax, plus any travel surcharge in full, 7 days after customer approval.
- Credentials must stay current. If one lapses, offers stop automatically until it's renewed.
- We can't suspend you without a written reason you can read, and you can appeal it.
What you take home
Property Media (base)
$425.00
$297.50
7 days after approval
Property Media (configured)
$765.00
$535.50
7 days after approval
Travel surcharge on a job
$60.00
$60.00
Paid to you in full
Customer cancels late
The deposit
70% of the deposit
Next cycle
Full text
6.1Status
Operators are independent contractors, not employees. Operators supply their own aircraft, equipment and insurance, set their own availability, and are free to accept or decline any offer without explanation and without effect on future offers. Nothing in this policy creates an employment, partnership or agency relationship, and PhotoDrone doesn't require exclusivity.
6.2Eligibility and credentials
Operators must hold a current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107, commercial liability cover of at least one million dollars ($1,000,000) per occurrence, and registration for each aircraft flown. Credentials are verified before the first assignment and re-verified at expiry. Where a credential lapses, offers stop automatically and resume on renewal. A lapse isn't a disciplinary event and doesn't affect standing.
6.3Payment
Operators are paid seventy percent (70%) of the services subtotal on the accepted quote, excluding taxes, and one hundred percent (100%) of any travel surcharge quoted for the job. Payment is released seven (7) days after customer approval of delivered files. Where approval is automatic at the end of the review window, the same period applies from that point. Where a customer dispute is open, payment is held and the operator is told the reason and the expected timeline.
6.4Assignment and reliability
Offers go to operators matched on service qualification, distance and availability. Where several operators are offered the same job, acceptance is first-come. Declining an offer has no effect on future matching. Accepting and then abandoning an assignment inside twenty-four (24) hours of the appointment window does, because a customer is left without a pilot. Safety refusals and documented emergencies are excluded from that measure entirely.
6.5Suspension and appeal
PhotoDrone may suspend an operator for credential lapse, a safety incident under investigation, or repeated abandonment. Suspension requires a written reason visible to the operator in their account, and the operator may respond in writing and have the decision reviewed by someone who didn't make it. PhotoDrone won't suspend an operator for refusing an unsafe flight, for declining offers, or for raising a payment dispute.