One of the most common mistakes in drone work is treating “legal to fly” as though it means “authorized to perform land surveying services.” Those are different questions. The FAA governs airspace and aircraft operations. State licensing boards govern who may perform, certify, and take professional responsibility for land surveying work.
This is why Aerotas consistently draws a clear line: Aerotas is not a licensed land surveying firm. Aerotas provides data processing, drafting support, and mapping deliverables to licensed surveyors and engineers. The final professional determination stays with the licensed professional of record.
Simple rule: a drone does not replace licensure. It is a data-collection tool inside a regulated professional workflow.
Who should I talk to with state-specific questions?
The right source is the relevant state board of professional surveying or engineering. These are not questions to settle by guesswork, forum posts, or social-media confidence.
The smart posture is conservative and transparent. If the project implicates surveying licensure, make sure the licensed surveyor is involved from the beginning.