Question 1

What do the specs on each listing mean?

Accepted Answer

They're the things you'd ask about if you were buying in person — flight hours, battery cycles, how long it stays up, the camera, range, firmware, and what's actually in the box. Sellers fill these in when they list, and we lay them out the same way on every drone so you can compare two of them without squinting.

Question 2

How are the specs verified?

Accepted Answer

By reading them closely. Before a drone goes live, the listing and the photos are checked and the seller is asked about anything that doesn't line up — hours that seem too low for the wear in the pictures, a battery count that doesn't match the flight time, that sort of thing. We're checking that the story holds together, not bench-testing the aircraft. If the seller kept a log, you'll see it on the listing as seller-reported flight history.

Question 3

Can I see the drone's flight history?

Accepted Answer

Some sellers keep a log — flights, inspections, repairs, upgrades, sometimes with photos or receipts attached. If they have, you'll see it as a Seller-Reported Flight History section on the listing. It's the seller's own record, not something we independently verify. Plenty of listings don't have one, and that's not a red flag on its own, but a well-kept log tells you a lot about how the drone was treated.

Question 4

What does 'Reviewed' mean on a listing?

Accepted Answer

That the listing was read end to end — the photos, the hours, the condition — and the seller was asked about anything that looked off before it went live. What it isn't: a warranty, or us promising the drone is perfect. We haven't held it in our hands. Read the whole listing, and use your day with it after delivery.

Question 5

Are the photos of the actual drone?

Accepted Answer

They should be. Sellers upload their own photos, and we ask for current ones of the actual drone — we push back when something looks like a stock image or doesn't match the rest of the listing. If what turns up at your door isn't what you saw, don't confirm the sale: open a dispute and we'll hold the money until it's sorted.

Question 6

How does the fee work?

Accepted Answer

When a drone sells, we keep 10% of the price — 5% for Founding and Pro members — and the seller keeps the rest. That fee is what pays for reading listings, holding money in Protected Payments, and keeping the lights on. Nothing else comes out of it.

Question 7

When is the fee collected?

Accepted Answer

Sales go through Stripe by card. We take our 10% (5% for Founding and Pro) at checkout and hold the seller's share until the buyer confirms the drone turned up as described and our team releases the payout to the seller's own Stripe account. Nothing is invoiced later.

Question 8

What are the commission tiers?

Accepted Answer

Free members pay 10% on completed sales and jobs. Founding and Pro members pay 5%. There are no listing fees, no relisting fees, and nothing taken out of a sale that falls through. The fee is the same whether the drone sells for $300 or $8,000.

Question 9

How does Protected Payments protect the transaction?

Accepted Answer

We hold the buyer's money instead of handing it to the seller. It only moves once the drone has arrived, the buyer has checked it over and confirmed, and our team releases the payout — or, if the buyer does neither and opens no dispute, 7 days after shipment. If something's wrong, they tell us before confirming and the money stays put while we deal with it.

Question 10

Who handles shipping?

Accepted Answer

The seller does. Once the sale goes through, they pack it, ship it, and add the carrier and tracking number to the sale — the buyer gets an email the moment that happens and can follow it from there.

Question 11

Which carriers are supported?

Accepted Answer

Whatever the seller prefers — UPS, FedEx, USPS, DHL, or something local. Either way the carrier and tracking number get saved to the sale, so both people have a record of it.

Question 12

How long does the seller have to ship?

Accepted Answer

As soon as they reasonably can — most people get it out within a couple of days. They add the tracking the moment it leaves their hands, and the buyer can see where things stand on their Orders page. If a seller goes quiet, email us and we'll chase it.

Question 13

What is the test-flight window?

Accepted Answer

A 7-day clock starts when the seller ships and adds tracking — not when the drone arrives. Unbox it, check it against the listing, fly it; the seller's money is held the whole time. Confirm receipt and our team releases their payout; raise a problem instead and nothing moves. If you take no action and don't open a dispute, the funds are released to the seller 7 days after shipment, so your inspection time after delivery depends on how long transit takes.

Question 14

What if the drone arrives damaged or not as described?

Accepted Answer

Don't confirm the sale — open a dispute and tell us what's wrong, with photos if you have them. The seller hasn't been paid yet, so we still have the money and room to sort it out properly.

Question 15

Do I need a permit to fly a drone for business in the US?

Accepted Answer

Commercial drone flying in the US is covered by the FAA's Part 107 rules. The pilot must hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and obtain airspace authorization (LAANC) when flying in controlled airspace near airports. Some cities or venues also require local permits for takeoff and landing. Airspace authorization, LAANC, and any applicable local permits are the pilot's responsibility — not the client's, and not Avionic Ledger's. We verify the pilot's license; the pilot handles all flight compliance. Every pilot on Avionic Ledger has their license verified by our team before they go live.

Question 16

Are drone pilots required to be licensed?

Accepted Answer

Yes — any commercial drone operation in the US requires an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. Outside the US, the equivalent applies: EASA in the EU, CAA in the UK, CASA in Australia. We verify every pilot's certificate before their profile goes live, so when you hire through Avionic Ledger you're working with a legally compliant operator.

Question 17

Can a drone fly at night legally in the US?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Under the current Part 107 rules, night operations are legal for licensed pilots who have completed the required night-flight training. The pilot handles all compliance — anti-collision lighting, airspace checks, and any local restrictions. You don't need to do anything; just tell the pilot you need night work when posting the project.

Question 18

Can a drone inspect my roof safely?

Accepted Answer

Yes — a drone roof inspection involves no physical contact and no ladder. The pilot flies a camera-equipped drone over the roof, capturing high-resolution photos and 4K video of every face, gutter, flashing, and vent. You receive the imagery and a condition summary without anyone climbing on your roof. Thermal add-ons can detect trapped moisture and active leaks.

Question 19

How long does a drone roof inspection take?

Accepted Answer

A typical residential roof inspection takes 30–60 minutes on site. Commercial buildings take 1–3 hours depending on roof area and the number of flights. You usually receive the deliverables — photos, video, and a condition summary — within 24–48 hours. Same-day turnaround is available for urgent insurance claims.

Question 20

Drone vs traditional photography for real estate?

Accepted Answer

They complement each other. Aerial drone photos show the lot size, boundaries, landscaping, and proximity to water or green space — context a ground camera can't capture. Conventional interior photos cover the inside. Most real estate listings use both: drone for the hero aerial shot and exterior, and traditional photography for interiors. A licensed drone pilot delivers MLS-ready aerial stills and video in one flight.

Question 21

Can drones fly in controlled airspace near airports?

Accepted Answer

Yes — with FAA authorization. Pilots obtain LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) approval through the FAA's online system before flying in controlled airspace. Each pilot obtains their own authorization based on the grid square and altitude of the flight. You don't need to file anything as the client; the pilot handles all airspace compliance.

Question 22

What is FAA Part 107 certification?

Accepted Answer

The FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate is the commercial drone license in the United States. To earn it, a pilot must pass a 60-question aeronautical knowledge test covering regulations, airspace, weather, loading, and operations. Once certified, the pilot is authorized to fly a drone under 55 pounds for compensation. We verify every pilot's Part 107 certificate (or international equivalent) before their profile goes live on Avionic Ledger.

Question 23

How do escrow payments work?

Accepted Answer

When you pay by card, your money is held in Protected Payments — the pilot doesn't get paid until you confirm the work is delivered. If something's wrong, you open a dispute and our team mediates while the funds stay held. Once you approve the work, the pilot's share is transferred to their account. Your first completed project has zero platform fee.

Question 24

How much does a drone photographer cost?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the job type. Residential aerial photography starts at $150–$400. Stills plus 4K video runs $350–$750. Commercial and luxury properties run $400–$1,200. Roof inspections range from $150–$400 for residential and $600–$2,500 for commercial. See the pricing tables on our city and state pages for typical ranges, then post your project for exact bids from local pilots.

Common Questions

Drone Specs & Verification

The Protected Payments Fee

Shipping Expectations

Drone Regulations & Hiring Pilots