We have Identified the Risks You Can’t Ignore
Protect your business from fines, audits, and reputational damage caused by unauthorized drone operations.
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Drone Education Services is actively involved in helping companies establish drone compliance programs through education, training, and industry collaboration.
At Drone Education Services, Lamar Ellis helps companies build compliant drone programs and vet pilots to avoid becoming the next drone headline.
“Drone Education Services goal is to help your company create safe, compliant, and accountable drone operations.
Lamar Ellis is the President of Drone Education Services, where he combines over a decade of expertise with a passion for advancing uncrewed technology.
For 10+ years, Lamar has helped organizations build compliant drone operations.
Lamar Ellis is a nationally recognized expert in uncrewed systems integration, safety, and strategic consulting. Since 2014, Lamar has worked with government agencies, public safety organizations, utility providers, private industry, and international partners to implement compliant, effective, and forward-thinking drone operations.
He is an FAA Safety Team Representative and DronePro for the State of Georgia, where he promotes safe, standardized, and scalable drone operations. Lamar was named the FAA 2025 Safety Team Representative of the Year for the Atlanta District — a reflection of his unwavering commitment to safety, education, and outreach.
Lamar currently serves as Chairman of the Chapter Council for the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) where he represents all of the AUVSI Chapters and coordinates with National AUVSI to support growth, advocacy, and provide guidance. He is also the President of the AUVSI Georgia Chapter. Under his leadership the chapter has been awarded the AUVSI Chapter of the Year in 2023, AUVSI Chapter Leader of the Year in 2024, and AUVSI Chapter Development of the Year in 2025.
In both 2024 and 2025, Lamar lobbied on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., advocating for the advancement of uncrewed systems on behalf of AUVSI and his company, Drone Education Services.
Lamar is deeply involved in advancing industry collaboration and innovation through key roles including:
Member of the Georgia Department of Transportation’s Advanced Air Mobility Working Group
Annual Panel Moderator at the Georgia Power and Public Safety Conference
Panelist with Ukrainian drone companies exploring U.S. manufacturing partnerships in Georgia
He has provided companies with the practical tools and templates to manage and monitor their drone operations, including:
Lamar is passionate about helping companies ensure safety, sustainability, and long-term success using drones.
Lamar’s consulting work spans across the uncrewed systems ecosystem—supporting both public and private sector clients in implementing safe, effective, and compliant drone operations.
He continues to provide direct consultation to uncrewed systems programs throughout the State of Georgia through his leadership with AUVSI, and his reach has expanded nationally to include drone companies, agencies, and organizations across the United States seeking expert guidance on compliance, integration, policy, and advanced technologies.
As an FAA Safety Team Representative and DronePro, Lamar also delivers educational webinars and presentations nationwide, promoting safety culture, regulatory awareness, and best practices to diverse audiences.
His presentations, consulting, and training have served clients including:
FAA (Federal Aviation Administration)
AUVSI (Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International)
Boys and Girls Clubs
Appraisal Institute (National and Chapter-level events)
National Association of Realtors
American Society of Appraisers
Right-of-Way Association
State Bar of Georgia
Society of Broadcast Engineers
Institute of Real Estate Management
American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
Mississippi Tax Assessors Association
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
Public Safety and Utility Agencies across the Southeast
Lamar has presented in 46 U.S. states and territories, in-person and virtually, and continues to support clients through webinars, seminars, and direct consulting services tailored to the specific needs of the uncrewed systems community.
Hiring drone pilots can expose your business to hidden risks if compliance isn’t carefully vetted. In this free 15-minute call, I’ll quickly assess your company’s current process for bringing drone data into reports and identify any gaps that may put you at risk.
You’ll walk away with:
Insights into the common weak spots companies overlook when hiring drone pilots or having drone pilots provide them with essential information.
This short call is designed to give you immediate clarity on whether your drone operations meet today’s compliance standards — and if not, how I can help you implement a program that does.
While FAA regulations establish the minimum legal requirements for drone operations, there are additional practices and equipment that every professional operator should adopt. These items are not currently mandated — but they are necessary for protecting clients, reducing liability, and ensuring safe and consistent operations.
When evaluating drone operators, I’ll share with you the questions to ask. If the answer is no, the risk could shift to you. Choosing a pilot who follows both the required regulations and the recommended best practices ensures that your aerial data is safe, legal, and defensible.
If these items aren’t in place, your aerial data may not be legally defensible.
When hiring or overseeing drone operations, it’s important to distinguish between what is legally required by the FAA and what is professionally necessary to reduce risk and protect your organization. We have the forms that you need to be compliant. This includes a one-hour consultation to get your team ready to implement.
Why Companies Must Be Drone Compliant
Companies increasingly rely on drone data in property inspections, valuations, and construction monitoring.
I bring a unique blend of safe operations, compliance, and drone expertise that no one else offers.
Here’s the risk:
When it comes to aerial drones, there are three main types you’ll see in action:
🔹 Multi-Rotors – The most common type. They can hover, maneuver in tight spaces, and are perfect for photography and inspections.
🔹 Fixed-Wing – These fly like airplanes. They’re efficient for large-scale mapping or covering wide areas but need a runway or launcher.
🔹 VTOL (Vertical Take-Off & Landing) – A hybrid of both. These drones take off like a helicopter and transition to forward flight like a plane — combining efficiency with versatility.
So the real question is:
Are you flying in a dense urban zone, a wide-open rural space, or somewhere in between?
The type of drone you choose can make all the difference.
🎬 Join me as I break down the Types of Drones — and help you find the right one for your mission.
Uses of drones in real estate continue to grow—transforming how we inspect, analyze, and present properties. From aerial inspections to real-time data collection, drones offer powerful opportunities for businesses seeking better visibility and decision-making tools.
In real estate, aerial inspections enhance the ability to assess, document, and communicate property conditions. For appraisers, drones are more than just cool tech—they’re a practical tool that helps:
• Assist in informed decision making
• Showcase unique property perspectives
• Provide access to difficult or hazardous areas
• Identify areas of concern quickly and clearly
• Deliver certifiable, real-time aerial data
Whether you’re in appraisal, brokerage, construction, or planning—drone technology is reshaping your industry.
Flight Operations begin with safety—and that’s where my focus always starts. Every mission I fly is guided by procedures designed to deliver accurate data, ensure repeatability, and protect people and property. Success isn’t just about getting the shot—it’s about doing it right every time.
To meet client needs, I rely on drones that are reliable, durable, easy to operate, capable of extended air time, and adaptable across multiple mission types. But the drone is just one part of the equation. The real value comes from knowing how to prepare, plan, and respond to real-world challenges—whether operational, environmental, or regulatory.
You need to know how to:
• Set up a secure and compliant launch zone
• Build a flight plan tailored to your mission goals
• Assess the need for crew or visual observers
• Fly and inspect a property with purpose
• Capture cinematic and useful aerial footage
• Execute a safe and controlled landing
• Debrief and evaluate your mission performance
As you gain confidence; every flight operation will be flown with safety, precision, and professionalism.
Maps, Measurements, and Modeling unlock powerful insights for real estate professionals through aerial photogrammetry. Since 2019, I’ve been testing various mapping platforms to better understand how drone technology can support data-driven decisions in the field.
As part of my research, I’ve explored a variety of software tools including DroneDeploy, Pix4D, Maps Made Easy, Skyline Software, Zephyr, and even programs still in BETA development. Each platform offered a unique approach to creating orthomosaics, 3D models, elevation maps, and measurement tools—and testing them has helped me to identify their strengths and limitations across real-world applications.
The maps and models I’ve developed are the result of hands-on experimentation during this testing phase. They are not intended as endorsements, but rather as examples of what’s possible or not possible for me. It was a fun journey. I encourage you to explore different programs yourself to build confidence, develop technical skills, and begin delivering meaningful aerial products for your clients.
Maps, Measurements, and Modeling are reshaping the way we visualize, measure, and model the world around us.
As drones become increasingly common in inspections, asset documentation, and property surveillance, companies must ensure that the drone pilots are certified, the drones are registered, and the operations are safety-focused.
Ask yourself:
The mission of Drone Education Services is to help companies build compliant drone operations
As an FAA Safety Team DronePro, I’ve seen firsthand how dangerous unauthorized drone operations can be—not just to equipment, but to public safety.
I’ve encountered many drone pilots who have no knowledge of airspace rules, do not have proper certifications, and lacking any awareness of the risks involved.
As the risks increase, so has the awareness, ENFORCEMENT of the rules has already started. Be ready, be compliant
Whether you’re working with external pilots or flying in-house, compliance isn’t just about checking boxes — it’s about protecting your people, your data, and your business.
If you’re ready to get this off your plate and into trusted hands, I’d love to help.
Click here to schedule a ZOOM Call. The first 15 minutes are free.
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