Commercial drone work involves a lot of trust. A client hires you because they believe you know what you are doing -- and part of demonstrating that is showing them, before the shoot, that you have actually done a preflight check and not just assumed conditions are fine.
The problem: most preflight tools are built for the pilot, not for sharing. You end up screenshotting an app, cropping it, attaching it to a text message, and hoping the client can make sense of it.
There is a faster way.
The Shareable Check Link
UAS SkyCheck generates a shareable URL for every preflight result. Run your check, tap the Share button on the result card, and you get a link like:
https://uas-skycheck.app/?lat=37.694&lng=-122.089&alt=100&w=under_250gSend that link to anyone. When they open it, it re-runs the same check for the same location and altitude -- they see the current airspace class, restricted zones, weather conditions, and safety score in real time. No app download, no account required on their end.
This matters more than it sounds. A link that re-runs the check is more useful than a screenshot because it shows current conditions, not a snapshot from whenever you happened to run it. If your client opens it an hour before the shoot, they see the same live data you would.
What the Client Sees
The result page shows everything in plain language:
- Whether the location is clear to fly, requires authorization, or is restricted
- The airspace class and nearest airport
- Any active TFRs and how long until they expire
- Current wind, visibility, and ceiling from the nearest reporting station
- A 0-100 safety score with every deduction explained
You do not need to explain any of it. The result speaks for itself.
Using It for Client Documentation
The Share button handles the quick version -- a live link you send before the shoot.
For formal documentation (construction projects, insurance requirements, commercial real estate, events), the PDF briefing export on Captain tier generates a timestamped document with the full preflight record: location, airspace, weather, safety score, and a signature line. That goes into your project folder alongside the contract.
The workflow for a typical commercial shoot:
- Run the preflight check at the shoot location
- Tap Share -- send the link to the client or site supervisor via text or email
- If a PDF is required, export from the Checklist tab
- At the location, re-run the check on your phone to confirm conditions have not changed since you last checked
What to Do When the Check Shows a Restriction
A client sending you a location in a national park, near a stadium, or inside Class D airspace does not automatically mean the job is off. It means you have paperwork to do first.
The check result tells you exactly what kind of restriction applies and who the authority is. Contact that authority, get the required permit or authorization, and document it. The shareable link approach works here too -- once you have cleared the restriction and conditions are favorable, send the updated link showing the current status.
Showing a client a check result that says "permit required, here is who to contact" is far more professional than saying "I checked and there might be an issue." It shows you know the regulatory landscape and have a process for navigating it.
A Note on Timing
Run your check the day before to plan. Run it again the morning of the shoot to catch any new TFRs or weather changes. Run it one more time when you arrive at the location.
Conditions change. A TFR that did not exist yesterday can be issued this morning. A ceiling that was 3,000 ft when you woke up can drop to 800 ft by the time you are setting up. The preflight check is not a box to tick once -- it is a real-time read of current conditions.
UAS SkyCheck is free for 5 checks per day with no account required. Commercial pilots doing multiple locations daily can upgrade to Pilot or Captain tier for more daily checks, live NOTAM access, and PDF export.