ARDAERIAL

I've been flying drones for over 11 years, starting in 2015 with FPV. Back then this was a little-known niche discipline where the drones had to be built from scratch. As the technology matured, I moved on to DJI platforms, which opened up the more advanced commercial and professional work I do today. That early grounding shaped how I fly to this day: precise, deliberate, and comfortable operating in dynamic environments.

I have a background in manned aviation, with over 3,000 flying hours on airplanes and helicopters, and I've worked as a military drone operator, instructor, and examiner since 2018. That combination of specialist FPV skill and military discipline shapes how I approach every commercial job - from pre-flight planning to airspace coordination - whether it's a ten-minute property shoot or a recurring construction contract.

I got my first IAA drone license in 2018 under the older SI 563/2015 regulations, and for several years I also worked as a civilian drone instructor with an IAA-approved training body, delivering full theoretical licence courses as well as practical flight training. I've delivered bespoke training programmes for large Irish organisations including Irish Rail, ESB Networks, and John Paul Construction.

I now hold the new IAA/EASA Open A1/A3 and A2 licenses as well as a Specific Category authorisation, which enables higher-risk, more complex operations - closer to people, structures, and within controlled airspace. Drone operations can look simple from the outside, but getting them right - technically, legally, and safely - is another matter entirely. With regulations evolving constantly, staying ahead of them matters as much as the flying itself.

My fleet is chosen deliberately: the right aircraft for each role, maintained to the highest standards, with the right camera systems for the job.

If you have a project in mind, or you're not sure yet what you need - get in touch. I'd love to talk through what's involved and advise on the best approach for you.