For Spray-Drone Operators

Technology & Imagery Questions

Some customers ask about photos, maps or data before, during or after a treatment. This page helps you settle those questions before you quote, so the scope, the files and the ownership are clear from the start.

Not every job needs imagery. Many don't. When a customer does ask, these are the questions to settle before you quote.

Jump to the Checklist

What customers ask
What to ask them
Deliverables
Data ownership
Offer what you do

Be Ready to Answer

Questions Customers May Ask You

Have a short, accurate answer ready for each of these, even if the answer is "we don't offer that."

Do you collect imagery as part of the job?
What kind? For example, standard RGB photos or multispectral imagery.
What resolution and coverage can you provide for a site this size?
Can you provide before and after imagery?
Can you show the treated areas on a map?
What file formats do you deliver?
How long do you keep the data?
Who owns the imagery and maps after the job?

Before You Quote

Questions to Ask the Customer

Check these off as you settle them. Write the answers into your proposal or scope of work.

Purpose. What is the imagery for: documenting the work, planning a treatment, or reporting to a program?
Formats. Which file types do they need? Common ones: GeoTIFF, KML/KMZ, shapefile, GeoJSON, PDF maps, photos with location data.
Coordinate system. Do they require a specific coordinate system or datum so files line up with their own maps?
Delivery. How should files be delivered, and by when?
Ownership and reuse. Who owns the data, and who may reuse it, including you?
Privacy. Are there landowner, neighbor or site-security sensitivities about flying cameras or sharing images?
Target and beneficial plants. Do they want information on target and beneficial plants in the area as part of planning? If so, who provides it: the customer, their specialist, or you?
Program protocol. Does the imagery or map need to meet a specific program's reporting protocol? Ask for the written requirements.

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Know What You're Handing Over

Common Deliverables

Agree on which of these the job includes, in which format, before work starts.

Deliverable	Typical format	Notes
Treated-area map	PDF map, KML/KMZ, shapefile or GeoJSON	Shows where product was applied. Confirm the coordinate system if the customer will overlay it on their own maps.
As-applied or flight log export	CSV or the export your equipment produces	Ask whether the customer wants raw exports or a cleaned summary.
Georeferenced photos	JPG with location data	Useful for before and after records. Agree on how many and from which points.
Orthomosaic (only if you produce one)	GeoTIFF	Large files. Agree on delivery method and resolution in advance.
Summary report	PDF	Plain description of what was delivered, when, and any limits on the data.

Protect You and the Customer

Data Ownership and Handling

Put ownership in writing

State who owns the imagery, maps and logs, and what each side may do with them. A line in the proposal is enough for most jobs.

State your retention period

Say how long you will keep the files and what happens after that. Then follow it.

Ask before using images in marketing

Get the customer's permission before posting their site photos or maps on your website or social pages.

Store files securely

Keep customer data in an access-controlled location and share it only with the people named in the agreement.

Check airspace and privacy rules

Flying for imagery has its own rules. Check FAA requirements and any state or local privacy rules that apply to the site.

Credibility First

Be Honest About What You Offer

Offer what you do today. List only the imagery and data services you can deliver now. If you subcontract imagery to another company, say so. Don't promise analysis results or conclusions the data can't support. A clear "we don't offer that" builds more trust than an answer you can't back up.

For the rest of a credible response, see Be Ready When the RFQ Arrives and What It Takes to Spray Vegetation With Drones.

Next Step

Put It in Your Response

Buyers comparing operators look for clear answers. Add your imagery and data terms to your RFQ response folder, and make sure your directory listing reflects what you actually offer.

Get Ready for RFQs Find and Claim Your Listing

More guides: Operator Resources · Tools & Templates

General guidance only. This page is for awareness and planning. It is not legal, regulatory, aviation or privacy advice. Operators are solely responsible for being licensed, insured, authorized and compliant for the services and locations they offer, including any rules on flying cameras and handling customer data.

WeedGunners is a directory. Customers should independently verify each provider's qualifications.