Aerial17

Your Resource For
Drone Aerial Video & Photography
Property Mapping
Construction Progress Monitoring
Property Damage Documentation

US Veteran Owned and Operated - FAA Certified Commercial Drone Pilot
North Carolina Commercial UAS (Drone) Operator Permit

11Apr

We recently provided as-required aerial imagery for a client  needing to monitor the activities of a public utilities company on his remote property. We worked on an as-required basis, providing same day shoot and delivery of the data the client required. This allowed the out-of-town client to address potential legal issues without having to be onsite. 

30Aug

Norma James from Taylor Mueller Realty contacted us the 28th of August about a video to illustrate critical characteristics of a commercial property off of Knobb's Creek Drive in Elizabeth City NC. We were on the property the next afternoon, captured our footage, processed the clip and had it ready the next day. Norma was pleased with our work, we hope to provide services for Taylor Mueller in the future. Thank you again for the work! 

12Jul

We were contacted by Cinch Home Buyers of Raleigh NC, they needed interior, aerial and interior images of a property in Elizabeth City. 

That afternoon we were able to get the aerial and exterior ground images. The next afternoon we returned to capture the interior, along with a quick side trip to Lowe's to pick up a new lockbox for the property to help the agents out. 

Cinch Home Buyers were a very easy group to work with, and we're grateful for the opportunity to help them out. If your agency is planning on listing properties in or around Elizabeth City, you may want to contact them. 

If your agency requires similar imaging services, give us a call. We're quick to respond, and we go the extra mile to meet our clients needs.

Property in Elizabeth City, NC

12Apr

Construction phase documentation for Chowan County contract to update John A. Holmes High School in Edenton, NC. Project is expected to run through 2026. Working with M.B. Kahn has been an illustration in excellent communications, and efficiency. Very grateful M.B. Kahn accepted my work proposal.

Property Video Link

12Apr

Butler Parachute Systems, based in Roanoke, VA, manufactures high-quality parachute systems for various applications, including emergency egress and military missions. With a newly renovated, 21,000 sq. ft. facility, they ensure reliable testing and production.  Butler Parachute Systems has received federal awards, highlighting their reliability and quality. This was a shoot to highlight the facility expansion into the property footprint.

25Mar

longer project documenting property expansion improvements, events, etc.

Towne South is experiencing a welcome phase of growth, as new members are finding a church home here. I have been documenting property improvements, events and images for their publications.

25Mar

Ben Bloodworth from LTPCommercial called to see if I could get aerial, ground level and interior images for a property listing in Edenton NC. The next morning I arrived at the property (ECU Health Women's Care), in Edenton, spoke with the staff at the property to let them know I was there and got the schedule for the inside shoot. That would have to happen at lunch when there were no patients being seen. I took the opportunity to walk around the property to get an idea of the best perspectives for the ground images of the property. Retrieving the tripod and gimbal, I completed the ground shoot and prepped the drone for the aerial work. The property is on a corner of a busy street that heads down into the historical area of Edenton. Plenty of trees and a few powerlines kept the drone a bit high however I was able to get different angles that included the parking area behind the property. A composite (10 images) NADIR or top down birds eye view finished the aerial work, total time with the UAS in the air was less than 15 minutes. I shoot duplicates at different exposures to end up with a good choice when editing. I did meet a neighborhood cat and a curious neighbor who asked several drone questions. I finished well before the interior shoot, which left me time drive a few blocks down to the historic downtown, and grab a hot mocha at the Edenton Coffee House, and go through the images I had just captured. At 12:00 I was back at the property, and moved inside to photograph the waiting room, and the 8 exam rooms. This took about as long as the ground level and aerial images. Wrapping up, I made my way back to Elizabeth City, and started processing the images. After completing and uploading the images, I sent the link to the online folder to Ben and Clare, along with the invoice. I'm finding that I enjoy commercial property work, and plan on moving further that direction if the opportunity presents itself. Thanks to Ben Bloodworth at Teams / Partner Commercial in Raleigh for this opportunity.

20Dec


I was on my way home for lunch, and got a message from Jerry Alston, owner of Blue Pearl Drones LLC, in Charlotte, NC. 

He had picked up a drone job to provide some images for a shopping center in Elizabeth City, NC, and wanted to know if I could shoot them for him. He gave me the details, I assured him I could get what he needed. 

I went to the subject shopping center, picked as inconspicuous a spot as possible at a grocery shopping center at mid-day, and threw my drone up. The periphery images weren't difficult, but walking the drone around the parking lot was a little dicey.

Didn't take long, got the images uploaded to a shared folder. It was a straightforward gig and I appreciate the work. Thank you Jerry!

20Dec

Aerial photography for Mike Baker of Taylor Mueller Realty in ELizabeth City. 2603 Willis Dr., Elizabeth City, NC.

Mike Baker of Taylor Mueller Realty in Elizabeth City sent me a text, said he may have some work for me. Mike's a great guy and a good friend, and a local realtor. He had a new listing coming up in early January, and wanted some images. 

I figured out the best time of day after a day of rain and wind, and was at the location with my shot list. It was a drone pilots dream. Huge yards, few obstructions, zero traffic and no passerbys. Although sun on the front of the house would have been more aesthetic, this time of year you make the most of what you get from a sun hanging lower on the horizon.

After getting the shots he needed I got an orbit video b-roll (just in case), and headed home.

I had shot some HDR 3 bracket images, and a top down composite, so editing took awhile. I took another look at the orbit video, and decided to edit it into a quick 60 second promo for the property that featured some property details and Taylor Mueller's logo. I put that up on Youtube and sent Mike the link. He liked it, so I added it to his invoice. He's local so I dropped the files off at his office on an SD card.

If I retire as planned in a couple of years, I want to keep doing this work. So let's keep me busy!



20Dec

Crystal Heninburg of EXP Realty in Maryland contacted me to see if I could shoot a set of images for a high value property in Virginia Beach, VA. 

I was onsite the next day at best light, and got the shots. Sitting in a nearby Starbucks 15 minutes after the shoot, I edited the image set and uploaded the proofs and deliverables to a shared folder. After a few modifications, Crystal sent her payment, and I finished my coffee. It was a good afternoon. Thanks Crystal for the opportunity.

How to Contact Aerial 17 for Aerial Photgraphy and Video Services

You can contact Aerial 17 for aerial photography and video services by filling out the contact form on our website, or by e-mail to rick@aerial17.com.

What kind of aerial imaging and video does Aerial17 shoot?

Aerial 17 has shot many private and commercial properties in NE North Carolina and SE Virginia. We will contract for construction monitoring, providing scheduled and unscheduled video and still photography for project and property owners.

How do I contract or hire Aerial 17 to work on my project?

After an email or telephone conversation describing the project, Rick will build an invoice that outlines the details of the project. When the terms are accepted, we'll get the work completed, and send a watermarked digital contact sheet for approval.  When the work is approved, the images and or video will be uploaded to an online folder. After payment is made, the access information (web address and password) will be emailed or messaged to the hiring party to access the data for download.
We'll keep the data in the online folder for one week, then it will be archived at Aerial17 for one year.

What do I need to know about drone photography and my property?

Controlled Airspace:Drones are treated as aircraft by the FAA and are subject to federal regulations governing airspace use in the U.S.  Property may lie within controlled airspace, requiring authorization to operate a drone.  The time needed to obtain this clearance varies depending on the airspace.
Important information:  All commercial drone pilots in the U.S. must have a Part 107 FAA certification.  Ask your drone operator if they are Part 107 certified.  If not, you assume liability.  Also, be cautious if a pilot ignores airspace restrictions and flies anyway without authorization; this is not responsible behavior for a Part 107 operator.
Time of Day: Photo and video quality often depends on the time of day and weather (clouds, bright sun, etc.). We'll check the property's location to determine the best time to avoid shadows from trees or buildings.  Then, we'll do our best to schedule the shoot for optimal lighting, ensuring the best possible images of your property.


 July 4th family cookout. Great aerial videos of folks on the water jet skiing and paddleboarding, great shots of the waterfront property, and a very great group photo! I highly recommend Aerial17 for any events or if you just want to get drone shots of your property. The owner is great to work with. 

Casey K.
Property Manager, Outer Banks, NC
     

 Thank you! I am extremely grateful to you for your outstanding work. Not only did you complete this task promptly, but you also ensured that it was executed exactly as I had described. Your willingness to make a trip and deliver exactly what you promised was also greatly appreciated. Your communication and professionalism are outstanding. I eagerly anticipate maintaining this connection and service in the future. I will also be certain to spread the word that you are truly remarkable at what you do. Once more, many thanks for your tremendous help. Sincerely, Crystal Heningburg 

Crystal Heningburg / EXP Realty
Realtor for EXP Realty
     

 I hired Rick of Aerial 17 to capture drone footage of a commercial property in Elizabeth City. The images came out fantastic and were exactly what I was looking for. I will definitely recommend anyone looking for a great pilot to give Rick at Aerial 17 a call. I plan on using him again for work in the future.  Jerry  

Jerry Alston
Drone Pilot/Owner-Blue Pearl Drones, Charlotte NC
     

 "Five Star Service! Rick gave me what I asked for and worked with me to tweak the shots for my customer. Thank you, Rick!" 

Mike Baker
Mike Baker, Realtor for Taylor Mueller Realty
     

 Rick takes incredible drone photos and videos! We have used him for our church’s publications. I highly recommend him! 

Jonathan Snoots, Towne South Executive Minister
Jonathan manages the property and business management of Towne South Church of Christ.
     

 Got a very nice set of videos and pictures of our office building. We will be using them on our marketing materials. Rick is extremely professional! 

Roberto Montanez
Owner, Butler Parachutes
     

 "Working with Rick has been an incredible experience! Not only did he deliver stunning photos that perfectly captured our vision, but he also went above and beyond by accommodating an extra favor we asked of him, including a special trip to Lowe's. His professionalism, punctuality, and dedication to his craft are truly commendable. The pictures are great, the work is awesome, and he is simply outstanding. We couldn't be happier and highly recommend his services! ---Destini - Transaction Coordinator with Cinch Home Buyers" 

Cinch Home Buyers
A team of housing specialists that use current market indicators to purchase homes at a fair price and partner with investors to help both parties succeed.
     

 "Great service and very professional drone aerial shots of a property I have listed off Knobbs Creek Drive. I will use them again." 

Norma James
Broker-in-Charge Taylor Mueller Realty, Elizabeth City NC
     

Example of an orthophoto map overlay on Google Maps.

Drone Orthophoto Map and 3D Model Generation

Drone Orthophoto Mapping and 3D Model Generation use aerial drone imagery that is 'stitched' together digitally, and is corrected in relationship to the earth's surface, allowing for precise measurements on images transposed on maps such as Google Maps. However, these drone images are generally produced in higher resolution offering very close detail.

This process may be repeated or scheduled as desired by the contractor, to record progress during different construction or work phases.

This process can be valuable to private or commercial construction.

Maps with sufficient detail may be rendered to produce 3D models.

Property damage insurance investigation and claims processing for storm and other damage can be expedited using drone photography. 

This type of survey is quicker and safer, providing results in less than an hour from the time the pilot arrives on scene to begin documentation.

Image from recent roof photo-survey of a 19th century home in North Carolina.


Aerial drone imaging can assist in expediting claims by providing clear and concise visual information to insurance investigators working through this process.

Aerial 17 is available to work with realtors and insurance agencies to provide aerial drone imaging and video documentation.

Aerial17 is a US Veteran-owned small business located in Eastern North Carolina.
Rick McElrath, owner and operator of Aerial 17 is an insured, FAA certified Part 107 sUAS (drone) operator, and Part 61 Private Pilot.

We currently provides services to various scale aerial imagery and video projects to include;

Outdoor Events, private and public
Property mapping for landscape planning 
Construction progress monitoring
Personal and professional real estate sales and development
Insurance claim imagery for storm and fire property damage


Practical use of sUAV (drone) imagery is constantly developing.

So if you have an idea or specific project need that you believe will benefit from aerial imaging and video, contact Aerial17, and we’ll discuss the possibilities.

About Aerial17 image

We provide the aerial imaging you need, when you need it. Contact Aerial17 to see if we can help you with your project.

  • Elizabeth City, North Carolina, United States

Thank you for contacting Aerial 17. I look forward to answering any questions concerning aerial photography, videography, construction progress and property mapping.