JOIN OUR PILOT NETWORK

Sentinel Wildlife Recovery & Rural Drone Services is building a professional network of qualified independent contractor drone pilots to help expand service coverage for thermal search assistance, rural property mapping, lost pet search, livestock location, pre-mowing wildlife scans, boundary visualization, and related drone-based services.

We are looking for FAA Certified Part 107, responsible, safety-focused drone operators who understand that this work requires professionalism, discretion, compliance, and strong communication.

INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR OPPORTUNITIES

Accepted FAA certified pilots may be considered for independent contractor assignments based on service area, equipment capability, experience, client needs, and operational requirements.

This is not an employee position unless specifically stated in writing. Pilot network participants are responsible for maintaining their own credentials, equipment, insurance, aircraft registration, tax obligations, and legal compliance.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Applicants should have:

    • FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

    • FAA-registered drone aircraft, where required

    • Remote ID compliance

    • Professional-grade drone equipment

    • Liability insurance appropriate for commercial drone operations

    • Ability to document flights and service calls

    • Strong communication skills

    • Ability to follow company SOPs and safety standards

    • Willingness to operate only within legal, ethical, and authorized limits

  • Preferred but not required:

    • Thermal drone operations

    • Lost pet or animal search experience

    • Farm, rural, or hunting property familiarity

    • Mapping or aerial imaging experience

    • Real estate or land media experience

    • Public safety, emergency services, military, or search-related background

    • Night operations knowledge where legally authorized

    • Experience working with landowners, farmers, or rural clients

    • Lost pet thermal search

    • Livestock location

    • Pre-mowing wildlife scans

    • Rural property mapping

    • Landowner support

    • Boundary visualization

    • Aerial documentation

    • Future game recovery services where legally authorized

  • Our network is built around professionalism and compliance. Pilots must understand that not every mission can or should be flown. Weather, airspace, property access, safety, client expectations, wildlife law, FAA rules, and operational limitations all matter.

    We reserve the right to decline assignments that are unsafe, unlawful, outside operational capability, or inconsistent with company standards.

  • Interested pilots may submit an application for review.

    Suggested form fields:

    • Full name

    • Business name

    • Email

    • Phone

    • City/state/service area

    • FAA Part 107 status

    • Drone models owned

    • Thermal capability

    • Insurance coverage

    • Years of drone experience

    • Types of services interested in

    • Availability

    • Upload certificate/insurance documentation

    • Short summary of experience

    Apply to Join the Pilot Network

WHY JOIN THE SENTINEL PILOT NETWORK?

Access to qualified mission opportunities, expanded geographic coverage, professional brand support, and assignments aligned with your equipment and experience.

WHO WE’RE LOOKING FOR

FAA Part 107 pilots who are safety-focused, responsive, professional, properly insured, and comfortable operating in rural environments.

MISSION TYPES

THERMAL SEARCH

LIVESTOCK LOCATION

WILDLIFE SCANS

RURAL MAPPING

BOUNDARY VISUALIZATION

LANDOWNER SUPPORT

WHAT YOU NEED

  • Pilot holds a current FAA Remote Pilot Certificate and maintains required recurrent training.

  • Aircraft used for Sentinel missions must be properly FAA registered and compliant with applicable Remote ID requirements.

  • Pilot maintains active commercial drone liability coverage appropriate for professional UAS operations.

  • Pilot has reliable, mission-appropriate aircraft, batteries, controllers, cameras, sensors, and supporting field equipment.

  • Pilot has dependable transportation capable of reaching rural properties, farms, search areas, and other assigned locations.

  • Pilot communicates promptly and professionally with Sentinel, clients, landowners, and other authorized personnel before, during, and after missions.

  • Pilot agrees to follow Sentinel operating procedures, safety standards, documentation requirements, mission protocols, and applicable laws and regulations.

PREFERRED CAPABILITIES

Thermal-equipped UAS, night operations, mapping/photogrammetry, rural search experience, public-safety background, RTK capability, and large-acreage experience.

HOW ASSIGNMENTS WORK

1. APPLY

Submit your application with required information, documents, and equipment details.

2. GET REVIEWED

Our team reviews your credentials, insurance, equipment, and experience.

3. JOIN NETWORK

Approved pilots are added to the Sentinel Pilot Network and matched to eligible mission types.

4. RECEIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Get notified of mission opportunities that match your location, equipment, and capabilities.

5. ACCEPT & FLY

Accept assignments that fit your schedule, coordinate with our team, complete the mission, and submit required reporting.

IMPORTANT STATUS NOTE

“Pilot Network participation does not guarantee assignments. Mission availability depends on client demand, location, equipment capability, legal requirements, and operational conditions.”