Frequently asked questions

We deploy a dedicated three-person aerial production crew: a licensed pilot, a skilled camera operator, and a tech. This setup allows us to operate on closed sets or as a satellite crew within a larger production, handling all of the aerial unit's requirements independently. Our crew has nearly a decade of experience on TV and film sets. We operate cinema-grade platforms including the DJI Inspire 3 and DJI Ronin 4D - both capable of capturing 8K full-frame footage. We also handle all FAA paperwork and airspace coordination so productions can stay focused on creative execution.

Filming with a drone in Washington DC requires federal airspace authorization, and in many locations, specific waivers or endorsements due to the FRZ around DCA. Productions that don't have an experienced, authorized aerial operator risk permit denials, flight stops, and legal liability. VSI Aerial has established relationships with local and federal law enforcement and has successfully executed drone operations throughout the DC area. We manage the entire authorization process for your production.