How It Works for Pilots
Focus on flying. We handle everything else. Keep 100% of your bid, maintain your freedom, just fly better projects.
THE OPPORTUNITY
Join the UK's only managed drone pilot network - on YOUR terms
We're not another race-to-the-bottom marketplace. We add professional project management to every job, meaning clients pay proper rates for professional work. You fly, we handle everything else.
Current network:
20+ elite pilots
Your earnings:
100% of your accepted bid
Your freedom:
No exclusivity, no non-compete
Projects available:
Nationwide
HOW IT WORKS FOR PILOTS
We Send You Relevant Projects
Only see jobs that match your skills and location
- No bidding wars with hobbyists
- Projects pre-qualified and budgeted
- Client already expects professional rates
- Clear requirements and deliverables defined
You Bid Your Rate
You set your price, you keep it all
- Bid your professional rate
- If accepted, you get 100% of your bid
- We charge client separately for project management
- No hidden commissions or fees from your earnings
- Transparent throughout
We Handle All The Paperwork
Zero admin burden
We manage:
- Method statements (RAMS)
- Flight permissions and NOTAMs
- Insurance verification
- Client contracts
- Purchase orders
- Invoicing and payment collection
You handle:
- Flying the mission
- Capturing quality data
- Basic processing/delivery
Get Paid Your Full Bid
100% of your accepted bid, every time
- Your PO is with us, not the client
- We collect from client (their bill includes your bid + our management fee)
- You receive your full bid amount
- We handle all payment chasing
- Single payment source (us)
YOUR FREEDOM, PROTECTED
What we DON'T do:
- No exclusivity contracts - Work with us when you want
- No non-compete clauses - Keep all your existing clients
- No territorial restrictions - Fly wherever you want
- No minimum commitments - Take projects that suit you
- No maximum limits - Grow as big as you want
- No client ownership claims - Your clients stay yours
What this means:
- Keep working with your direct clients
- Join other platforms if you want
- Accept or decline projects freely
- Build your business your way
- Use us for extra income or make us your main source
- Complete freedom to operate
THE MONEY - COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT
Example Project:
Your bid: £400 (for roof inspection)
Our management fee: £100 (charged to client, not you)
Client pays: £500 total
You receive: £400 (100% of your bid)
You ALWAYS get your full bid amount. No percentages, no deductions, no surprises.
Why clients pay the premium:
- • Professional project management
- • RAMS handled
- • Insurance verified
- • Quality guaranteed
- • Single point of contact
TYPICAL EARNINGS (YOU KEEP 100%)
What pilots bid and keep:
Roof inspection
£200-400
Real estate shoot
£300-600
Construction progress
£400-800/day
Agricultural survey
£600-1200
Industrial inspection
£500-1500
Remember: You set your price based on your costs and expertise. We don't dictate rates or take a cut.
WHAT WE HANDLE VS WHAT YOU HANDLE
We Handle (No Cost to You)
- Client communication
- Project scoping
- RAMS documentation
- Flight permissions
- Insurance verification
- Weather monitoring
- Rescheduling logistics
- Payment collection from client
- Client complaints
- Scope creep management
- Chasing late payments
- All commercial paperwork
You Handle
- Pre-flight site assessment
- Flying the mission
- Data capture
- Basic processing
- Upload deliverables
- Maintain equipment
- Stay current with regulations
- Professional flight execution
WHY PILOTS CHOOSE US
Traditional Freelancing:
- 30% of time on admin
- Chasing payments for months
- Writing RAMS at midnight
- Competing with £50 hobbyists
- Managing difficult clients
Other Platforms:
- Take 20-30% commission
- Force exclusivity
- Race to bottom pricing
- No project support
- You handle everything
CertifiedDronePilot:
- Keep 100% of your bid
- Complete freedom
- We handle all admin
- Professional rates only
- Quality clients
- Payment collection handled
WHAT OUR PILOTS SAY
"Finally, a platform that doesn't take a cut. I bid £500, I get £500. Plus they handle all the paperwork I hate."
— Michael, Birmingham
"No exclusivity BS. I work with my own clients AND get extra work through CDP. Best of both worlds."
— Sarah, Manchester
"Other platforms take 25% and do nothing. CDP takes nothing from my bid and handles everything. No-brainer."
— James, London
PILOT REQUIREMENTS
Essential:
- GVC (General Visual Line of Sight Certificate)
- £2M+ public liability insurance
- Professional drone equipment (Mavic 3 Enterprise minimum or equivalent)
- Commercial flying experience (minimum 20 commercial flights)
- UK work authorization
Preferred:
- Specific sector experience (construction/inspection/surveying)
- Thermal imaging capability
- Enhanced DBS check
- Construction site cards (CSCS/SSSTS)
- Additional specialized equipment (LiDAR/multispectral)
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Initial Application
(5 minutes)
- Basic details and experience
- Equipment list
- Insurance confirmation
- Portfolio examples
Verification
(1-2 days)
- We verify credentials
- Check insurance
- Review portfolio
Onboarding Call
(30 minutes)
- Discuss your specialties
- Explain our process
- Set up payment details
- Access to pilot portal
Your First Project
- See relevant opportunities
- Bid your rate
- Complete project
- Get paid your full bid
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
THE HONEST TRADE-OFF
What you give up:
- Instant payment (you wait for client payment)
- Direct client relationship on these projects
What you gain:
- 100% of your bid (no commission)
- Zero admin work
- No payment chasing
- Complete freedom (no exclusivity)
- Access to enterprise clients
- Professional project management
Perfect for pilots who want to fly more and admin less, without giving up their independence.
JOIN THE NETWORK
Limited spots available. We maintain a small, quality network rather than flooding the platform with pilots.
Currently recruiting for:
5-minute application • No fees • No exclusivity • Hear back within 48 hours
THE BOTTOM LINE
100% of your bid kept
Zero exclusivity requirements
Zero commission or fees
Zero payment chasing
100% your choice when to work
Keep Your Freedom. Lose the Admin.
The only network that doesn't take a cut OR lock you in. Apply today and start flying better projects tomorrow.
Questions? Email pilots@certifieddronepilot.com
