FAA Licensed Drone Pilot
Aerial intelligence that changes the outcome. De Van & Associates holds FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certification — bringing licensed, insured drone operations to investigations, security assessments, and litigation support.
Drone Capabilities
Licensed aerial operations integrated directly into investigative and security engagements — not a subcontracted add-on.
Aerial Surveillance
Covert and overt aerial observation for civil and criminal investigations. High-resolution video and still imagery captured at altitude, beyond the reach of ground-based detection.
- Long-range covert observation
- Real-time video downlink to ground team
- Night-capable thermal imaging
- Court-admissible footage documentation
Accident Reconstruction
Precise aerial mapping of accident scenes, property damage, and incident sites. Orthomosaic imagery and 3D models provide irrefutable spatial documentation for litigation.
- Orthomosaic scene mapping
- 3D terrain and structure modeling
- Skid mark and debris field documentation
- Timestamped, GPS-tagged deliverables
Property & Perimeter Surveys
Comprehensive aerial surveys of commercial and residential properties for security assessments, boundary disputes, and insurance investigations.
- Full perimeter coverage in minutes
- Roof and structure condition documentation
- Ingress/egress vulnerability mapping
- High-resolution georeferenced imagery
Security Assessments
Aerial component of physical security audits — identifying blind spots, coverage gaps, and approach vectors that ground-level inspection cannot reveal.
- CCTV coverage gap identification
- Perimeter blind spot mapping
- Approach vector analysis
- Pre-event venue security surveys
Search & Locate Operations
Rapid aerial search for missing persons, fugitives, and assets across large terrain. Thermal and optical sensors dramatically reduce search time versus ground teams alone.
- Thermal imaging for heat signatures
- Large-area grid search patterns
- Vehicle and asset location
- Real-time coordination with ground units
Insurance & Fraud Investigations
Aerial documentation for insurance carriers investigating property claims, staged accidents, and workers' compensation fraud. Objective, timestamped evidence.
- Property damage verification
- Claimant activity documentation
- Before/after comparative imagery
- Chain-of-custody evidence handling
Why It Matters
Licensed operations.
Admissible evidence.
Drone footage captured without FAA Part 107 certification is legally problematic — it can be challenged in court, excluded as evidence, and expose clients to liability. De Van & Associates operates exclusively under proper federal certification, ensuring every aerial deliverable meets the chain-of-custody and admissibility standards required for litigation.
Our drone operations are fully integrated with ground-based investigative teams — not a separate subcontracted service. The same licensed investigator directing the ground operation controls the aerial component, maintaining a single, unbroken chain of evidence.
Federal Certification
FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate — the federal standard for commercial drone operations in the United States.
Controlled Airspace Access
LAANC authorization enables operations in controlled airspace near airports and sensitive facilities where unlicensed operators cannot legally fly.
Commercial Insurance
Full commercial liability coverage for all drone operations, protecting clients from exposure in the event of an incident.
Evidence Integrity
All footage is timestamped, GPS-tagged, and handled under strict chain-of-custody protocols from capture through delivery.
Published Work
Drone Investigations in Print
Eric De Van has written and spoken extensively on the use of drones in professional investigations.
Top Flight Drone Security
PI Magazine — March/April 2025
Investigating Above All (Drones)
PI Magazine — November/December 2022
PI Perspective Podcast: Drones for Investigations
January 30, 2023
Get Started
Need aerial intelligence on your case?
Submit a priority request and a De Van & Associates consultant will contact you within 24 hours to discuss your aerial operations requirements in complete confidence.