A Day in the Life of a Drone Operator
At Elevated Angles, no two days are ever the same—and that’s exactly how we like it.
As a drone operator, we get to see the world from a perspective most people never experience. Whether we’re flying through tight interior corridors, capturing a construction site from 400 feet in the air, or weaving around buildings downtown to grab that perfect cinematic shot, each day is its own unique mission.
So what does a typical day look like for us? Here’s a peek behind the propellers.
6:30 AM – Pre-Flight Prep
Early mornings are common—golden hour doesn’t wait for anyone. Before heading out, we check the forecast, confirm airspace regulations and flight permissions, and make sure all gear is prepped: batteries charged, props inspected, SD cards formatted, and backups packed. When you’re flying drones in complex environments, preparation is everything.
8:00 AM – On Location
We arrive on-site early to scout the area. Even if we’ve flown there before, conditions can change—new obstacles, construction, or lighting situations. We walk the site, plan our flight paths, and coordinate with the client or production crew. Safety is always our top priority.
9:00 AM – First Takeoff
Once everything’s locked in, it’s time to fly. Depending on the project, we might be using a high-end cinematic drone for smooth, sweeping shots or an FPV drone for fast-paced, dynamic footage. This is where the magic happens—and where all the planning pays off.
11:00 AM – Midday Adjustments
Drone work is highly technical, but it’s also deeply creative. We review what we’ve captured, identify gaps, and pivot if needed. Some shots may need to be refilmed to match the light, or we’ll change lenses to highlight a specific detail. It’s a mix of engineering and artistry.
1:00 PM – Wrap & Packup
Once we’ve captured everything we need, we pack up gear and pack up footage on multiple drives—on-site and in the cloud. Redundancy is key. From there, we head back to HQ or the next location.
3:00 PM – Post-Production Handoff
Back at headquarters footage gets logged, organized, and passed off to our editing team (or we dive into editing ourselves, depending on the scope). Each shot is color corrected, stabilized, and brought to life in the context of a larger story.
4:00 PM – Planning the Next Mission
With one project down, we shift gears to prep for the next. That might mean submitting FAA flight waiver requests, coordinating with property managers, or reviewing creative briefs with a client. It’s a fast-moving process—and that’s part of the fun. Oh, and if there’s a good pizza spot nearby, you can bet we’ll find it.
Being a drone operator is about more than flying a cool piece of tech. It’s about telling stories, solving problems, and bringing a vision to life—safely, skillfully, and creatively.
At Elevated Angles, we don’t just fly drones. We capture perspectives that elevate everything around them.