Drone coverage for weddings and events, quoted by a Part 107 pilot

What does the pilot check before quoting?

Five things: whether the flight would put the aircraft over your guests, which needs an aircraft that meets one of the Category 1 to 4 standards under 14 CFR 107.39, or an FAA waiver, with sustained flight over an outdoor crowd limited to Category 1, 2 or 4 aircraft broadcasting Remote ID; whether the venue and any HOA or park allows it; the airspace and LAANC; the time of day; and the weather on the day. The quote reflects the answers.

Over people

FAA rule 14 CFR 107.39 allows flight over a person only if they are taking part in the flight, are under a covered structure or inside a stationary vehicle, or the aircraft meets one of four weight and impact categories, Category 1 to 4. Sustained flight over an open-air crowd is limited to Category 1, 2 or 4 aircraft broadcasting Remote ID; Category 3 aircraft may not fly over open-air crowds at all. Without such an aircraft or an FAA waiver the pilot keeps the aircraft off non-participants and open-air crowds: the ceremony is filmed from the side or behind the seating, not from overhead. The pilot confirms this before accepting.

Venue permission

The venue's own rules come first, then any HOA covenant or city park permit. The pilot launches from a spot the venue agrees to and needs a clear line of sight to the aircraft at all times. Tell your venue a drone is coming; some ask for the pilot's certificate and insurance, which the pilot can show on the day.

Airspace

Much of any large metro sits under Class B, C or D airspace around its airports. The FAA's LAANC system gives near-real-time authorization at 726 airports (FAA LAANC page, updated September 29, 2026, as read in our October 2026 regulatory notes). Where the facility map ceiling is low the pilot files a further coordination request at least 72 hours ahead. A temporary flight restriction, for example around a stadium on game day, can close the airspace, so the pilot checks the notices that morning.

Time of day

Part 107 flights are daylight by default. Civil twilight and night flying need the pilot's post-April 2021 training and anti-collision lighting visible for three miles (14 CFR 107.29). A sunset exit is possible with the right pilot and aircraft; put the hours in your request so pilots quote for it.

Weather

FAA rules require 3 miles of visibility and clear distance from clouds; our pilots also do not fly in rain, in sustained wind over 20 mph, or under a temporary flight restriction. The pilot decides whether it is safe and legal to fly. The weather policy has the limits in full.

What we do not do

We do not edit drone clips into your main wedding film. We do not fly indoors unless venue and pilot both agree. We do not guarantee a flight in rain or high wind. If your pilot calls it off for weather or airspace you pay nothing extra; with no second date, email us and a person will arrange a refund.

• No editing into your main film. You receive the aerial clips and stills as plain files; your videographer cuts them in, and the footage license lets them do that.
• No indoor flying by default. Indoors is up to the venue and the pilot, and only if both agree in advance.
• No flight over guests without a rated aircraft or waiver. The pilot plans around the crowd, as described above.
• No weather guarantee. If your pilot calls it off for weather or airspace you pay nothing extra and, under the cancellation and weather policy, you pick a new window within 14 days. A wedding usually has no second date. In practice you email help@astralpic.com and a person arranges a refund instead; that is how we handle it today, not a term written into the policy. Refunds reach your card in 5 to 10 business days.
• No sample gallery yet. We show a delivery on this site only when the customer has ticked the consent box, and we label it as a sample. There are none to show yet.