LOCAL 600
DRONE OPERATORS
IN MIAMI
IATSE Local 600 · International Cinematographers Guild drone crews based in Miami and South Florida — for studio features, network television and major streaming productions.
IATSE LOCAL 600 UNION DRONE CREWS
IN MIAMI + SOUTH FLORIDA
We Fly Aerial Media provides IATSE Local 600 union drone operators, aerial camera operators and drone technicians for studio features, network television and major streaming productions shooting in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, the Florida Keys and across South Florida. Following two consecutive arbitration decisions in favor of Local 600 (the International Cinematographers Guild), major studios and networks — including Warner Bros., Netflix, Disney and all AMPTP signatory companies — are now required to cover drone camera crews under applicable Local 600 contracts on feature film and television productions.
On a union production shooting in Miami or South Florida, drone pilots and camera operators must be classified and paid as Camera Operators, and drone technicians as Assistant Camerapersons, with full pension and health contributions. Hiring a non-union drone vendor on a union show opens your production to grievances, arbitration and potential work stoppages. Our Miami-based teams have worked on productions for Netflix, HBO Max, Warner Brothers, NBC Universal and dozens of major brands — with thousands of flight hours across South Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Union and non-union crews available — fully covered under a $10M–$25M worldwide aviation liability policy.
LOCAL 600 COMPLIANT
Drone pilots classified as Camera Operators, drone techs as Assistant Camerapersons — full pension and health contributions per guild contract.
MIAMI-BASED CREW
Locally based in Miami — no travel days, no hotel costs. Available same day across Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Monroe counties.
FAA PART 107 CERTIFIED
All pilots hold FAA Part 107 certificates with waivers for night operations, flight over people and flight over moving vehicles.
$10M–$25M INSURED
COIs issued within hours — meeting the requirements of all major studios, networks, streamers and production companies.
MIAMI FILM OFFICE PERMITTED
Experienced with City of Miami, City of Miami Beach, Miami-Dade, Florida Keys and Florida Department of Transportation permit coordination.
BAHAMAS + CARIBBEAN READY
Miami-based positioning enables rapid deployment to the Bahamas, Caribbean and Latin America
PLATFORMS & CAMERAS
OUR DRONE PACKAGES
DJI INSPIRE 3 + X9-AIR
- 8K Full Frame · 120FPS · 14+ Stops
- CinemaDNG, ProRes RAW + 422HQ
- Swappable DL lenses 18–75mm
- 4K live wireless video for broadcast
- ~28 min flight time · 58 mph max
DJI MAVIC 4 PRO
- 28, 70, 168mm triple lens system
- 6K 60FPS HDR Video
- 100MP DNG RAW photos
- 51 minute flight time
- 1080P 60p HDR live wireless video
FREEFLY ALTA X HEAVY LIFT
- Sony Venice + Venice 2
- ARRI Alexa Mini, Mini LF, Alexa 35
- RED Komodo + V-Raptor
- Freefly MōVI Pro or DJI Ronin 2
- 9–30 min flight time
LOCAL 600 DRONE FAQ
COMMON QUESTIONS FROM
UPMs & LINE PRODUCERS
Common questions from production coordinators, UPMs and line producers booking union drone crews.
Yes, on feature films and scripted/unscripted television productions operating under AMPTP agreements. Following two arbitration decisions in IATSE Local 600's favor, studios and networks are now required to cover drone camera crews under applicable Local 600 contracts — including paying union scale and contributing to pension and health funds. Commercial production is currently excluded from this requirement.
Yes. We provide IATSE Local 600 union drone operators for studio features, network television and streaming productions under AMPTP agreements. For non-union commercials, branded content, music videos, corporate work and independent productions, we provide non-union operators on our payroll. Our producers will help you determine which crew type is appropriate for your production and your deal.
Contact us with your shoot dates, location and a brief description of the shots you need. Our aerial producers will provide a quote that includes union rates, all required FAA coordination, insurance certificates meeting studio requirements and permit coordination. We are familiar with major studio and network vendor requirements and have all necessary documentation on file.
Yes. We hold active FAA waivers for nighttime UAS operations and flights over people — both required more often than not on studio and network productions. We also have extensive experience obtaining COAs (Certificates of Waiver or Authorization) for Class B, C and D airspace, stadium operations and location-specific special use airspace. Our FAA authorization process is included in all quotes and typically adds no additional time to your pre-production schedule.
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