About Us

Victoria Aerial Photos and Surveys is a 100% locally (Victoria, BC) owned and operated, private, and independent company employing UAS commercially. In operation since 2012, we offer a wide range of safe and professional UAS services to the general public, corporations and government services in a wide spectrum of applications.

We use only the latest and safest, state of the art, UAS muli-rotor equipment for our customers.

UAV of choice

At this time, we specialize in “multi-rotor” aircraft for our primary UAV aerial operations which include mapping and photography. These rotary wing aircraft possess the same remarkable flight ability as conventional helicopters, but on a much smaller scale. Some of these characteristics include the ability to take off and land vertically, hover in one place, and fly in and around tight spaces otherwise impossible for fixed wing aircraft.

We seek to harness this new “drone” technology in a safe and responsible manner while it benefits individuals, the public and our corporate/government customers.

With safety as our number one priority, we are Transport Canada Aviation certified for special flight operations and fully insured.

Safety and Privacy

We are proactive in the community and publicly advocate for safer UAV/RC aircraft flight practices. This also seeks way to respect any public privacy concerns.

We are also constantly working with Transport Canada governing bodies to improve UAV oversight and ensure that our company operational procedures adhere the strict government regulations surrounding professional UAV flight. The SFOC and Transport Canada Certification is becoming an increasing necessity for any drone operation flight near any urban or build up area in Canadian Domestic Airspace.

We also seek solutions to the isolated cases of illegal, rouge and dangerous use of drones.

About the Owner/UAV Chief Pilot

Carlos has also logged over 900 hours of  UAV air time including past training of several hundred students in safe unmanned flight practices. Carlos continues with professional flight and ground instruction sessions in UAS studies for students seeking to be professional UAV pilots or use drones commercially in their business. See Training page

Mr Carlos currently holds a Standing Canadian Commercial UAV SFOC (Special Flight Operations Certificate) as well as a Canadian Pilot's Licence with advanced training. He is authorized for short notice flight operations.The SFOC is a Transport Canada basic requirement for those using the UAV/drone for business, work or research in Canada.

Victoria Air Photos and Survey also employs and uses trained and qualified  visual observers and UAV sensor operators.

The company pilot, Mr Carlos has an extensive background in aviation studies including being a graduate from Camosun College as well as completion of an Associate Certificate training at BCIT in aircraft structures engineering. He has worked at Viking Air, with BC Ferries, and the Canadian Coast Guard/ Ocean Sciences/DFO.

Carlos has been self-employed in business for the past 21 years where he was a small commercial boat captain and guide and as operated a logistics firm. He has also served for 2 years in the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve (Army) in Logistics.

Carlos also has night rating, and extensive instrument, and flight simulator training.

VAP's Carlos is also a Transport Canada Compliant UAS training Centre in Canada as well as an authorized ROC-A instructor and examiner.

Clients for VAP's UAS training program have included a wide range of students from private, cooperate and government sectors. Carlos has also trained City and government protective services including fire and police in the professional use of UAVs with the popular UAS 101 program with advanced specific training.

In addition, Carlos and a team of UAS professionals also have started the Unmanned Aeronautical Association of Canada (UAAC) which is a group of Unmanned pilots and their business seeking to find new ways to use unmanned aircraft safely in Canada. UAAC seeks to make sure the Canadian UAS pilot is trained, accountable, and operate in safe and responsible manner. This is in addition to adhering to UAAC guidelines, being Transport Canada compliment and observing many new standards and by-laws.    

What is a UAV Pilot?

A UAV pilot is much more that a mere photographer. They are people who control an aerial vehicle and aircraft which is "unmanned" or remotely (RC) controlled by a ground station. Carlos wrote a page on the study of UAV/Drones.

A UAV pilot is an individual who is professional, trained, certified, and skilled in the field of piloting, navigation, safety and aviation. Qualified UAV pilots may be hired, do research and be in business for pay.

Some skills a UAV Pilot must hold include a fundamental understanding of the principles of flight, airspace regulations, meteorology, maintenance, navigation, radio, safety procedures, and other skills critical to safe flying in aviation.

New Camera and Gimbal System

Get crystal clear images with DJI’s most advanced camera to date. The gimbal holding your camera is the result of DJI’s years of expertise in camera stabilization, giving you smooth, stable footage in any flight conditions.

• Video: 4K @ 24-30 fps, or 1080p @ 24-60fps
• Photos: 21 Megapixels 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 VR, Focal Length (actual):10 - 30mm
• Lens: 9 elements in 9 groups including an aspherical element DJI
• 1/2.3 inch CMOS sensor and
• 94° wide-angle FOV
• 3-axis, 360° rotating gimbal