River Valley Aerials LLC

07/24/2026

I feel incredibly fortunate to work for an organization that encourages me to bring one of my greatest passions—drone technology—into education.

This week, I had the privilege of leading Region 9 School of Applied Technology’s first Drone Coding Camp. Watching middle school students discover coding, automation, and drone technology while growing in confidence each day was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve had.

At River Valley Aerials, I believe drones are about so much more than capturing amazing photos or videos. They are powerful tools that solve real-world problems and create exciting career opportunities. Being able to share that passion with the next generation is something I’ll never take for granted.

A sincere thank you to Region 9 School of Applied Technology for believing in this vision and giving me the opportunity to help inspire tomorrow’s drone pilots, programmers, engineers, and innovators.

Here’s to continuing to fly with purpose—whether it’s for a client, a community, or a classroom.

🚁

🚁 That’s a wrap on the first Region 9 Drone Coding Camp!

What an incredible week!

Today our students put their new skills to the test by completing a series of coding and flight challenges that combined many of the concepts they learned throughout the week. It was exciting to watch their confidence and teamwork shine as they tackled each mission.

We also kicked off the day with a real-world demonstration of an autonomous roof inspection mission. Students saw the entire process—from planning the flight and creating the automated mission to watching a camera drone carry out the inspection. It was a great opportunity to see how the same technology they’ve been learning is used by professionals every day.

We wrapped up the morning with one final run through the confidence course. The improvement in both coding and piloting skills over the past five days was remarkable. Students who were just beginning to learn the basics on Monday were flying with confidence and approaching each challenge with determination by Friday.

A huge thank you to our students for their enthusiasm, perseverance, and willingness to learn, and to the families who supported them throughout the week. We hope this camp sparked an interest in coding, drones, and the many career opportunities they make possible.

Code. Fly. Discover. 🚁

07/18/2026

I recently had the opportunity to capture this promotional video for Lone Mountain Riverfront Campground in Andover, Maine.

From the riverfront campsites and cabins to the pool, playground, and mountain views, this campground has a lot to offer. It was a pleasure working with the team to showcase everything that makes it a great destination.

Thank you to MaKayla and everyone at Lone Mountain Riverfront Campground for the opportunity.

Watch the video in 4K here:
https://youtu.be/VqI3pAShO2w

If you’re a campground, business, municipality, or property owner looking for professional aerial photography or video, I’d be happy to discuss your project.

River Valley Aerials LLC
FAA Part 107 Certified
Serving Western Maine and beyond

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

06/22/2026

*****Update*****

🚁 Great News! We’ve Expanded Eligibility for the Region 9 Drone Coding Camp! 🚁

Due to interest from students and families, registration is now open to students entering 6th, 7th, and 8th grade for the 2026-2027 school year from MSAD 44, RSU 10, and RSU 56.

Join us for a week of hands-on STEM learning as students explore drone technology, coding, sensors, automation and teamwork through engaging challenges and competitions.

📅 July 20–24, 2026
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 Region 9 School of Applied Technology
377 River Rd, Mexico, Maine

Students will learn to program drones, complete flight challenges, work in teams, and discover how technology and coding work together in the real world.

⚠️ Space is limited and registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Reserve your student’s spot today!

📝 Register here:
https://forms.gle/xJqSxCwkoicFG86D9

Questions? Contact Shawn Murphy at:

📧 [email protected]

Code. Fly. Discover.

04/25/2026

This is why I travel with my equipment.

Light changed fast and Coles Pond delivered. From the ground, this angle doesn’t exist. The layers, the shoreline, the sun sitting over the ridge line. You only get this view in the air.

No setup. Just being ready when it hit.

Northern Vermont sunset.

10/22/2025

Educational Rant: The Real Cost of Ignoring (or Not Knowing) FAA Drone Rules

Starting a small business is hard enough. You invest your time, money, and energy to do things the right way — legally, professionally, and safely. But what makes it worse is when people, especially in industries like real estate, either don’t know the rules or choose to ignore them altogether.

Here in the Western Maine, the FAA’s Remote Pilot Registry shows only a small number of certified remote pilots — yet real estate listings featuring “drone photos” are everywhere. That gap speaks for itself.

Many agents and photographers simply don’t realize that any use of a drone for commercial purposes, including real estate photography, requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and FAA-registered equipment. Without that certification, those flights are considered unauthorized commercial operations under federal law.

1. The FAA has two main pathways for drone operation:

• Recreational Flyers:
If you fly “just for fun,” you must complete The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) — it’s free, takes about 30 minutes, and proves you understand basic airspace and safety rules. You must also follow the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft (49 USC 44809) and fly only for hobby, not work.

• Commercial Flyers (Part 107):
If you earn any money — even one photo — from your drone, you are required by law to hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. That means passing an FAA knowledge test, registering your drone, and following airspace and operational rules.

2. FAA Registration Requirements:

• Every drone that weighs 250 grams (0.55 lbs) or more must be registered with the FAA — even for recreational use.

• Commercial drones must be registered individually, with a visible registration number marked on the aircraft.
Registration connects the drone to its owner, ensures accountability, and helps law enforcement track down reckless or unsafe flyers.

3. Why it matters:

These rules aren’t “red tape.” They’re designed to protect people, property, and the integrity of the national airspace. Drones operate in the same skies used by many other aircraft, which means safety and coordination are essential. The FAA’s regulations exist to prevent conflicts, accidents, and unsafe situations before they happen.

Real estate is one of the biggest areas where FAA rules are routinely ignored. When unlicensed real estate operators use drones illegally, they:

• Undercut legitimate FAA-certified pilots who invest in training, equipment, insurance, and compliance.

• Jeopardize safety by flying without proper airspace authorization.

• Damage public trust in drone professionals who actually follow the law.

For example, imagine a local property listing that includes “free drone photos” as part of the package — taken by someone without certification, without airspace approval, and without insurance. It might look harmless, but it undercuts licensed pilots who have invested thousands in doing things the right way and puts everyone at risk when something goes wrong.

4. The Risk:

Fines vary depending on the violation and circumstances, but the FAA has made it clear that unlicensed commercial drone use can carry serious financial consequences. Here are a few examples:

• Businesses that hire or contract an unlicensed drone operator for commercial work can be fined up to $11,000 per incident.

• Individuals who fly drones commercially without a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate may face civil penalties of up to $1,100 per flight.

• These fines are issued under the FAA’s enforcement authority for unauthorized commercial operations, and they apply even when the flight itself isn’t unsafe.

The FAA enforces these rules to maintain safety, accountability, and responsible use of the national airspace. Compliance ensures that drone operations are properly certified, insured, and traceable — which benefits everyone who shares the sky.

So if you’re in real estate — or any business hiring drone operators — ask for proof of FAA certification and drone registration. Protect yourself and your clients.

Doing it right matters. Because for those of us who took the time to get certified, register properly, and fly safely — this isn’t just a hobby. It’s our livelihood.

* References:

https://lidarnews.com/articles/penalties-flying-drone-without-license/

Send a message to learn more

10/01/2025

Did a foliage loop this weekend.

09/30/2025

Today was a great day to capture the colors