Scale Past Solo.
A book for drone operators ready to build a real business, not just fly a drone. Get a free chapter before Above the Grid launches.
What's inside?
01 - Get a free chapter now
Read a full chapter before anyone else does. No cost, no catch.
02 - First access on launch day
Subscribers get first notice of the release date and any launch pricing, before the general announcement.
03 - Real frameworks, not theory
Everything in the book comes from actually running a drone business and scaling it past one person, one drone, and one calendar
About the author
I am an airline captain and FAA Part 107 remote pilot with a Master's Degree in Aeronautics, specializing in Aviation Human Factors. I built a commercial drone imaging business in Tampa Bay from one operator to a company handling LiDAR, thermal, and infrastructure inspection work. Above the Grid is what I wish existed before I had to figure all of this out the hard way.
Airline Captain and Aerial Imaging Business Owner
"The first drone business book that correctly identifies the problem. Smith understands that the operator's ceiling is structural, not a matter of skill or gear, and he has the rare decency to publish his own rate card and his own mistakes. If you are the entire company and cannot explain why your revenue stopped growing when your skill did not, read this."
— Jason San Souci
The Drone Strategist
ASPRS CMS-UAS, GISP
"As someone who has spent over a decade in the drone industry, this book covers many of the mistakes I wish I hadn’t made when building my drone business, and even a few I still catch myself making today. The drone industry is full of talented pilots and great technology, but building a successful business around those skills is an entirely different challenge. This book helps bridge that gap by giving drone professionals a clear path to build better systems, operate more efficiently, and scale their business without overcomplicating the process."
— Dylan Gorman
Founder, Pilotbyte
“Building a successful drone company takes far more than being a skilled pilot or owning the right equipment. Having helped entrepreneurs across the country launch and grow their own drone service businesses through Blue Nose Aerial Imaging, I’ve seen firsthand what works—and where new operators often struggle. Rob Smith understands that distinction. In Above the Grid, he cuts through the noise and focuses on the strategies, discipline, and business fundamentals that actually move a drone company toward profitability. I have no doubt this book will help countless entrepreneurs avoid common mistakes, accelerate their growth, and build businesses designed for long-term success. For anyone serious about turning their passion for drones into a real business, Above the Grid is an invaluable resource.”
— Tanner Harris
Founding & Managing Member
Blue Nose Aerial Imaging
"This book has hit so many nerves. After reading it, I see now that it has been me standing in my own way stopping my business from growing. Rob introduces business concepts and then applies them to the drone industry in a way anyone can read. Brilliant."
— Greg H.
Ready to build past solo?
Above the Grid is for drone operators who want systems, not guesswork. Get the free chapter and be the first to know when it launches.
