Definition
Aerial work encompasses a broad range of commercial aviation operations where the aircraft is used as a tool to perform a task rather than as a means of transport. Common aerial work activities include aerial surveying and mapping, aerial photography and film production, agricultural spraying and seeding, powerline and pipeline inspection, construction lifting with external loads, aerial firefighting, banner towing, and wildlife management. The defining characteristic is that the commercial value lies in the task performed using the aircraft, not in moving people or goods from one point to another. The regulatory treatment of aerial work varies by jurisdiction. Under EASA, most aerial work falls under the Specialised Operations (SPO) category, which may require either a declaration or an authorisation depending on the risk level of the activity. In the United States, aerial work is generally conducted under FAA Part 91 (for operations like aerial surveying) or Part 137 (for agricultural aircraft operations), with some activities requiring specific waivers or exemptions. Operators must understand which regulatory framework applies to their specific activities and obtain the appropriate approvals. Aerial work operations often involve flight profiles and environments that differ significantly from standard aviation. Low-level flight over terrain or obstacles, flight in close proximity to structures, operations with external loads, and exposure to agricultural chemicals or fire conditions all present unique hazards. Operators must develop activity-specific risk assessments and procedures, and crew must receive specialised training beyond standard pilot qualifications.
Why It Matters for Flight Schools
Aerial work operators face distinct business challenges alongside their operational complexity. Missions are often project-based with variable demand, making revenue forecasting difficult. Pricing must account for positioning flights to and from job sites, standby time between missions, specialised equipment costs, and the seasonal nature of many activities. An agricultural aviation company, for example, may conduct most of its revenue flying in a few months of the year while maintaining aircraft and crew year-round. Fleet management for aerial work is complicated by the specialised modifications that many missions require. Aircraft may need spray systems, camera mounts, cargo hooks, survey equipment, or fire-retardant tanks — each with its own maintenance requirements and airworthiness implications. Tracking these modifications alongside standard maintenance schedules demands detailed record-keeping.
How Aviatize Handles This
Aviatize supports aerial work operators with mission-based scheduling and billing that captures the full scope of each job — including positioning flights, on-task hours, standby time, and equipment charges. The smart planning module allows operators to build mission templates for recurring job types, streamlining dispatch for repetitive activities like weekly pipeline patrols or seasonal agricultural campaigns. The billing and payments module generates client invoices that break down charges by mission component, providing the transparency that commercial clients expect. Combined with fleet maintenance tracking that accounts for specialised equipment and mission-specific inspection requirements, Aviatize gives aerial work operators a comprehensive operational management platform tailored to their unique needs.