Credentials
FAA Part 107
Current certification, aircraft registration, Remote ID compliance, flight logs, and safe operating practices.
Florida pilot partnership network
Fly with purpose. Help bring people home.
Mountain & Gulf Alliance is building a verified network of thermal drone pilots for agency-led searches involving autistic people, people with dementia, and other at-risk Floridians.
Why the network matters
Local pilots. Statewide reach.
A trained local pilot can shorten travel time and add a thermal view over woods, fields, water edges, roofs, and other difficult terrain.
MGA will build county-by-county coverage, confirm pilot qualifications, and coordinate only with the public-safety agency leading the incident. Sun State UAS is the founding aerial partner and technical advisor.
Pilot standards
Ready, verified and easy to activate.
The first application is simple. Verification comes before any mission assignment.
Capability
Thermal ready
Suitable thermal and visual aircraft, batteries, lighting, communications, mapping, and reliable field power.
Coverage
Know your region
County coverage, drive radius, day and night availability, terrain familiarity, and realistic mobilization times.
Command
Agency led
Operate inside the lead agency's incident plan, airspace, communications, evidence, privacy, and safety rules.
Mission funding
Build a system that can pay qualified pilots.
MGA is pursuing public funding, grants, agency agreements, sponsors, and designated donations.
Written mission terms
Paid work requires an approved activation, confirmed funding, rate, travel terms, scope, reporting, and invoice process before dispatch.
Regional readiness
Future funding may support pilot retainers, training, exercises, equipment, and actual missions. Joining the roster does not promise assignments.
Pilot questions
What applicants should know.
Clear expectations help agencies and pilots work safely together.
Who can apply?
Florida drone pilots and UAS companies may apply. Current FAA Part 107 certification, suitable aircraft, insurance, safe operating practices, and the ability to work within an agency-led incident command are central review factors.
Are missions paid?
MGA is seeking government, grant, sponsor, and donor funding for qualified activations. Any paid assignment, rate, travel, availability, and scope will be confirmed in writing before dispatch.
Do I need a thermal drone?
Thermal capability is strongly preferred for night and hard-to-see terrain. Visual aircraft, mapping tools, lighting, communications, and other useful equipment may also strengthen a regional team.
Does applying guarantee work?
No. Applications are reviewed for coverage, qualifications, safety, aircraft, insurance, availability, and program needs. Agency activation and mission funding also affect assignments.
Who directs an active search?
The police, sheriff, fire-rescue, emergency-management, or other public-safety agency with jurisdiction directs the search. Partner pilots follow that agency's airspace, evidence, communications, and incident-command rules.
Start here
Join Florida's Safe Return pilot network.
Tell us where you can respond, what aircraft you operate, and your qualifications. This application does not guarantee mission assignments.