Hire a Drone Operator in Tampa
To hire a drone operator in Tampa, compare the 31 Tampa Bay drone pilots and aerial video companies below and contact them straight from their ProductionHelp profiles. 15 shoot aerial video and photos for brands, events, boats and productions, 12 focus on real estate, and 4 handle mapping, thermal, utility or construction work. There is no booking fee. None of these pilots list prices, so the quickest way to compare is to request two or three quotes.
Post a Job, FreeBrowse Tampa drone pilots
- Drone operators on this page: 31 (15 aerial video and photo, 12 real estate, 4 mapping and technical)
- Where they fly: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Wesley Chapel, Bradenton, Sarasota and the rest of Tampa Bay
- Typical jobs: commercial and brand aerials, boats and yachts, events, real estate tours, construction progress, mapping and thermal imaging
- Pilot license: FAA Part 107 is required for paid drone work
- Controlled airspace: Tampa International (Class B), MacDill AFB, St. Pete-Clearwater and Albert Whitted (Class D) need FAA authorization
- Day rates: not listed by any pilot, request quotes
- Last updated: October 2026
Tampa drone pilots and drone companies
These operators are listed on ProductionHelp under Drone / Aerial DP with a Tampa Bay base. They suit commercials, brand films, events, marine shoots and productions that need aerial shots of the bay, the bridges, the Riverwalk, the beaches or a venue. Each summary comes from the operator’s own profile or website.
Haste Camera Solutions
Founded in Tampa Bay by Wes Eldridge and Nick Morales. The team specializes in dynamic camera movement, drone services and pursuit vehicle shots, and rents cinema cameras, monitors and support gear from its downtown Tampa base.
Cole Media
Commercial and industrial video company led by Part 107 licensed and insured drone pilot Tyler Johnston, flying since 2014. It covers corporate video, events and real estate, and is best known for aerial construction progress work for developers and builders across Florida. Clients listed include DuPont, Lakewood Ranch and Metro Development.
Aeronautical Productions
St. Petersburg video and drone production company that handles every project in-house, from business marketing videos and social media content to aerial photos and video of boats and real estate around Tampa Bay.
VoarVue Drone Operations, LLC
Veteran-owned media company that shoots cinematic drone video and FPV fly-through tours for brands, yacht dealers, waterfront real estate and construction projects. Clients listed include MarineMax, OneWater Yacht Group and Tampa Yacht.
TPA Productions
Tampa video production company making brand films, product launches, training videos and motion graphics, led by a director of photography with award-winning productions. Clients listed include Merck, the PGA of America and Sunseeker.
VUMEDIA Group
Photo and video company for local businesses and individuals that also shoots aerial drone photos and video. Its work covers music videos, real estate, model and swimsuit shoots, and weddings, with a focus on working within the client’s budget.
Celebrations of Tampa Bay
Tampa photo and video company for weddings and real estate. Its sister company, Tampa Aerial Media, shoots aerial footage, promo videos and stock footage for companies and cities across the United States.
Time and Tide Drone Services
Boutique aerial photo and video company focused on the marine and boating industry, handling everything from site visits and shooting to editing and distribution. The pilot is FAA licensed, with Part 107 credentials available on request.
Tampa Bay Drone Image LLC
Aerial team founded by two friends that flies for real estate marketing, construction progress, event highlights, inspections and thermal imaging, and also offers hands-on drone lessons.
BirdEye Promotions
Aerial video and photography for business storefronts, high rises, events and property, plus editing and printing services.
Adamo Studios
Small creative team offering video, photography, drone piloting, motion graphics and video editing, so one vendor can cover aerial and ground footage plus the edit.
Nima Film
Tampa studio founded in 1996 by Javad Akbarpour. The photo and video team covers family events, parties and team headshots, and its website lists aerial drone footage and livestreaming among its services.
Lightning Bay Productions
Multimedia and marketing company offering video, web and drone services a la carte, so businesses can add aerial footage to an existing marketing plan without hiring a full agency.
Rob-Harris Photography
Tampa studio for architectural, product and lifestyle photography with a drone portfolio and video projects. Its site lists work for Hard Rock Tampa, Mattamy Homes and Camden.
Andy Stern Design
Commercial property, construction progress and event photography, including corporate events and festivals. Aerial photo and video is flown by a fully insured, FAA certified Part 107 pilot.
Not sure who to call first?
Post your Tampa drone job once and let local pilots come to you. Free, with no booking fees.
Real estate drone photography and video in Tampa
Agents, builders and short-term rental hosts usually want a fast turnaround on aerial stills, a short listing video and sometimes a 3D tour. These operators focus on that work.
Tampa Drone Company
Certified drone pilots shooting aerial photos and video for commercial and residential real estate across Tampa, Brandon, St. Petersburg and nearby cities.
Red Letter Drones, LLC
Full-service real estate media company offering listing photos, video, drone aerials, 360 tours and floor plans.
SellFastPhoto
Real estate photo and drone business founded in 2019 by Zeki Sert, who is FAA Part 107 certified.
Tampa Home Photos
Real estate photographer offering listing photos, video and aerial drone images for agents across Tampa Bay.
HD Showings
Started by two former real estate agents. Offers photography, video, drone photography, Matterport and Zillow 3D tours across Tampa and St. Petersburg.
SkyView Drone Photography, Inc.
Locally owned, FAA Part 107 certified drone and real estate photography service for agents, commercial developers and builders tracking construction, with 24-hour delivery.
Gator Gaze Media
Over 15 years in photography, video and marketing. Shoots listing photos, cinematic video tours, drone imagery and floor plans for agents and homeowners.
Sky Studio Productions
Shoots real estate photos and walk-through videos, drone photo and video, boat marketing content and brand videos, with same-day turnaround available.
Suncoast Property Visuals LLC
Over five years of real estate photography for investors, agents and homeowners, including aerial drone imagery and 360 tours.
TourCo360 Media & Marketing
Real estate photo and video for Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Bradenton, Sarasota and Orlando, with HDR photos and dollhouse property views.
TPA Photos
Photographer for over 20 years and a licensed real estate agent, shooting listing photos and video for agents around Tampa Bay.
Homeshot Photography
Photo and video for commercial and residential property, with videos shot horizontal or vertical to suit the platform.
Drone mapping, thermal, utility and construction aerials
Need measurements, inspections or progress records rather than a marketing film? These operators fly technical and construction jobs around Tampa Bay.
Aerial Innovations
Captures aerial imagery by drone, fixed-wing plane and helicopter for real estate marketing, construction progress and large tracts of land, plus ground photo and video for construction projects.
Ascend Media Productions
FAA certified drone operator offering aerial mapping, thermal inspection, construction progress capture, real estate aerials and event coverage.
Patriot Drone LLC
Pilot with years of industrial and construction flying, from superfund cleanup sites to pro sports venues and the Panama Canal, now serving Central and Southwest Florida from the Sarasota area.
Vantage Point U.A.S
Tampa drone company founded in 2016 that flies utility inspections, mapping and construction jobs nationwide. Its aerial media has been used in TV commercials and documentary films.
What drone operators charge in Tampa
| What you are booking | Tampa rate |
|---|---|
| Aerial video for a commercial or brand shoot | Not listed, request quotes |
| Boat and yacht aerials | Not listed, request quotes |
| Real estate drone photos and listing video | Not listed, request quotes |
| Event drone coverage | Not listed, request quotes |
| Construction progress, mapping or thermal flights | Not listed, request quotes |
We leave these blank on purpose. No Tampa drone profile above lists a price, and we only publish rates we can check. For how crew quotes are usually built, see what a video production crew costs and how to write a video production scope of work.
How to hire a drone pilot in Tampa in four steps
Describe the flight. Note the date, the locations, what you need to see from the air, whether you want stills, video or both, and the delivery format. Our scope of work guide helps you put it on one page.
Check the airspace early. Much of Tampa sits under Tampa International’s Class B airspace, with Class D around MacDill Air Force Base, St. Pete-Clearwater International and Albert Whitted. Ask your pilot to check the spot in an FAA-approved app such as B4UFLY and request LAANC authorization if needed. Within five miles of Tampa International, Peter O. Knight, Tampa Executive or Plant City airports, the airport authority also asks for its drone notification form.
Confirm license and insurance. Ask for the pilot’s FAA Part 107 certificate, drone registration and an insurance certificate. Paid drone work without Part 107 breaks FAA rules.
Get the local permit if you use public property. In Tampa, Hillsborough County, Plant City and Temple Terrace, apply through Film Tampa Bay’s free permitting. In St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the rest of Pinellas, use the St. Pete/Clearwater film permit page. Florida law also limits drone flights over critical infrastructure such as power plants, ports and prisons, and stadium flight bans apply around Raymond James Stadium on game days.
Not sure what else your shoot needs? Read how to hire film and video production pros or what to expect when hiring an event video team.
More Tampa crews and Florida pages
- Hire a camera crew in Tampa
- Hire a drone operator in Jacksonville
- Hire a camera crew in Orlando
- Hire a camera crew in Miami
- All drone and aerial DPs
- How to find a film crew near you
- Post a Tampa drone job
Need a full ground team as well as aerials? Our Tampa camera crew page lists local production companies and camera operators.
Tampa drone operator FAQs
How much does it cost to hire a drone operator in Tampa?
None of the Tampa Bay drone pilots on this page post prices on ProductionHelp, so we don’t quote a number. Drone quotes usually depend on flight time, the number of locations, whether you want photos, video or both, editing, and any airspace paperwork near Tampa International or MacDill. Send the same short brief to two or three pilots and compare what each quote includes.
Does a drone pilot need a license to film in Tampa?
Yes. Anyone flying a drone for paid work must hold an FAA Part 107 remote pilot certificate and register the drone. Cole Media, SkyView Drone Photography, SellFastPhoto and Andy Stern Design say they are Part 107 certified, and Time and Tide Drone Services shares its credentials on request. Ask any pilot for their certificate and proof of insurance before you book.
Can drones fly near Tampa International Airport or MacDill?
Only with FAA permission. Tampa International sits in Class B airspace, and MacDill Air Force Base, St. Pete-Clearwater International and Albert Whitted have Class D airspace. Pilots request authorization through the FAA’s LAANC system, which often answers in near real time at pre-approved altitudes. Tampa International also asks pilots flying within five miles of TPA, Peter O. Knight, Tampa Executive or Plant City airports to file its drone notification form.
Do I need a film permit for drone footage in Tampa?
If your shoot uses public property, usually yes. Film Tampa Bay issues free permits for the City of Tampa, Hillsborough County, Plant City and Temple Terrace. For St. Petersburg, Clearwater and the rest of Pinellas County, go through the St. Pete/Clearwater film commission. The permit does not replace FAA airspace approval, so your pilot still needs that.
Can I fly a drone near Raymond James Stadium on game day?
Not during the game window. Federal rules ban drones within three nautical miles of stadiums with 30,000 or more seats during NFL, MLB and NCAA Division I football games, from one hour before until one hour after the event. Plan stadium-area aerials for non-event days.
Can I hire a drone operator who also films on the ground?
Yes. Haste Camera Solutions, Cole Media, TPA Productions, Aeronautical Productions, VUMEDIA Group and Adamo Studios all offer ground video as well as aerials. If you need a full ground crew too, see our Tampa camera crew page.
Who does drone mapping, thermal or construction work in Tampa?
Ascend Media Productions lists mapping and thermal inspection, Vantage Point U.A.S flies utility, mapping and construction jobs, Aerial Innovations covers construction progress by drone, plane and helicopter, and Cole Media and Patriot Drone specialize in construction aerials.
How do I list my Tampa drone business on ProductionHelp?
Listings are free. Use the submit form, choose the Drone / Aerial DP category, add your city, your reel and your Part 107 details, and producers searching for Tampa Bay aerial work can find you.
Fly drones in Tampa Bay? Get listed free
Add your drone business so producers, agents and builders around Tampa Bay can find you. Submit your company.
Last updated October 2026.