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Certified Drone Pilot

Certified Drone Pilot

I Fly Drones is a full-service drone company. We have been providing professional aerial photography and videography since early 2017. Equipped with a Part 107 FAA certificate and a UAS Remote Pilot license, I Fly Drones is a member of several drone organizations to stay connected and informed on all drone laws and restrictions.

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High Quality Drones

High Quality Drones

Not all drones are the same. I Fly Drones has many high-end drones in our fleet giving clients the best possible results for every mission. Whether you need simple real estate drone services, 3D mapping of a building or space, or maybe infrared photography, I Fly Drones can provide the right tool for each client's specific needs.

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About Us

About Us

Lead Operator, Gary Gauldin, owned and operated an audio visual company for over 30 years during his career and produced thousands of live events; he also has shot and edited hundreds of videos before adding drones to his production toolbox in 2017. After selling his AV business, he has devoted all his efforts to providing top-notch drone services. I Fly Drones is the first full-time drone company in the Richmond area.

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Mission Statement: Elevating Innovation, Ensuring Safety, Empowering Communities

Mission Statement: Elevating Innovation, Ensuring Safety, Empowering Communities

At I Fly Drones LLC, our mission is to deliver cutting-edge aerial solutions with precision, efficiency, and safety at the forefront. We are committed to utilizing the latest drone technology to provide high-quality data and insights while maintaining the highest industry standards. Beyond our services, we actively engage in community outreach, hosting events to educate, promote safe drone practices, and advocate for the growing role of UAV technology in shaping the future.

Our Team

The Minds Behind the Missions

Gary Gauldin

Gary Gauldin

Part 107 Licensed UAS Operator Owner/Lead Pilot

Lead Operator, Gary Gauldin, owned and operated an audio visual company for over 30 years during his career and produced thousands of live events; he also has shot and edited hundreds of videos before adding drones to his production toolbox in 2017. After selling his AV business, he has devoted all his efforts to providing top-notch drone services. I Fly Drones is the first full-time drone company in the Richmond area.

Michael Thompson

Michael Thompson

Part 107 Licensed UAS Operator - Connecting Skies

Michael Thompson is the 2025 FAA Safety Team National Nominee and current Virginia FAA Safety Team Representative of the Year. He is the founder of Connecting Skies LLC, a company dedicated to the safe, ethical, and scalable integration of drones into our communities and workforce.  Contact: michael@connectingskies.com 

Walham “Prak”

Walham “Prak”

Part 107 Licensed I Repair MD owner

The Repair Guy. Actually Prak is a Forensic Investigator when he is not being a dad or repairing the dozens of drones sent to him monthly. Prak has always been a tinker from his childhood, but found himself fixing his and his friends drones so often he decided to start his own business. Joining forces with  I fly Drone owner Gary in 2023 to create and host the Podcast Points of Interest on the I Fly Drones YouTube Channel.

Scott Strimple

Scott Strimple

The OG of the Drone Industry

Part 107 Certified Instructor/ UAS Operator/ Retired Pilot at United Airlines

Honorary Team Member

As a Captain and FAA Check Pilot for United Airlines, Scott Strimple’s extensive leadership and subject matter expertise in flight training bring an industry leading perspective to the world of unmanned flight. He holds all FAA flight instructing and remote pilot certifications and has served as the ASTM F38.03 Sub-Committee chair for Personnel Training, Qualification and  Certification dealing with sUA pilot and visual observer training and developing international standards for the unmanned aviation industry.  Scott works closely with the FAA and has more than 28,000 flight hours in manned aircraft as well as more than 44 years of operational small unmanned aircraft experience.  Scott’s leadership & experience in unmanned aviation was recognized by Governor Terry McAuliffe when he was appointed to the Governor’s Unmanned Systems Commission in 2015 and continues to serve on the Center for Innovative Technology advisory board, the Virginia Department of Aviation UAS workgroup and is a Board member for the Virginia Aviation Business Association.   He frequently contributes written material for several media resources as well as presenting at many industry events on the importance of developing operational proficiency and professional standards to assure a safe unmanned aircraft operation.  Scott is a senior flight instructor with the Unmanned Vehicle University and facilitates hands on flight training workshops across the country. His leadership and unique ability to blend the best practices from manned aviation with those of unmanned aviation provide Virginia UAS with the exclusive ability to offer industry leading education to those entities and individuals seeking to deploy unmanned aircraft. Additionally, Scott was an early adopter of aerial cinematography as a filmmaker and is the recipient of multiple Emmy awards.

Brad B-RAD Alston

Brad B-RAD Alston

Brad is the ultimate drone fanatic. B-Rad as he as know is full of energy and ideas with us here and around the  whole country. He travels all over the United States to join other drone enthusiast for group meet ups. His passion for flying is only out weighted by his social presence at these events. He has used his skills as a 3D print designer to create drone related products to enhance the drones he flies and also to provide unique branded items for the drone events he attends.

Besides being a Aerial photographer with his many drones, he’s also an avid ground photographer with years of photography experience.

Brad brings another level of genius and social media presence to our team at I Fly Drones.

Evan Edmonds

Evan Edmonds

Part 107 Licensed UAS Operator FPV

Evan Edmunds is our youngest Part 107 Certified pilot and maybe the best of us on the sticks. He flies FPV drones (hence the goggles pictured)  which are more like stunt planes. His skills come in handy when flying threw tight spaces like inside a house of under a car. He is a great asset for the difficult shoots.

Mission

Our Mission

I Fly Drones strives to capture breathtaking aerial photography and video footage for a variety of industries and purposes by elevating your vision with our high-quality drone services.

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