recent projects 

A particularly private, and beautiful small dock and small event building on the Yeopim River. Christina Townsend of Brown Properties of NC contacted A17 after finding our website. She asked if we could capture this small, beautiful river facility with a multi-slip dock on the historic and beautiful Yeopim River near Edenton NC. We were able to capture images and video, then edited together a small media package that Christina will use to market the property. If you manage commercial and private real estate sales, and need reliable and efficient aerial documentation, please contact us at rick@aerial17.com, or visit our website at Aerial17.com and fill out an information request. 

As spring turns to early summer, the transformation of the new John A. Holmes High School continues at an impressive pace. The main academic building is nearing exterior completion, with brickwork almost entirely finished. Inside, substantial progress is underway with electrical wiring, plumbing, and drywall installation bringing classrooms and corridors to life.One of the most exciting developments is the new theater. What began as a sandy excavation has quickly taken shape, with the seating pit and stage area now clearly defined. We anticipate that the roof will be in place within the next few visits, allowing interior finishes to begin soon after.It’s remarkable to witness this project evolve from blueprints to a state-of-the-art learning environment for the Edenton-Chowan community. If you are part of a major construction project that needs reliable and efficient aerial documentation, please contact us at rick@aerial17.com, or visit our website at Aerial17.com and fill out an information request. 

We recently provided as-required aerial imagery for a client  needing to monitor the activities of a public utilities company on his remote property. We worked on an as-required basis, providing same day shoot and delivery of the data the client required. This allowed the out-of-town client to address potential legal issues without having to be onsite. 

Norma James from Taylor Mueller Realty contacted us the 28th of August about a video to illustrate critical characteristics of a commercial property off of Knobb's Creek Drive in Elizabeth City NC. We were on the property the next afternoon, captured our footage, processed the clip and had it ready the next day. Norma was pleased with our work, we hope to provide services for Taylor Mueller in the future. Thank you again for the work! 

We were contacted by Cinch Home Buyers of Raleigh NC, they needed interior, aerial and interior images of a property in Elizabeth City. 

That afternoon we were able to get the aerial and exterior ground images. The next afternoon we returned to capture the interior, along with a quick side trip to Lowe's to pick up a new lockbox for the property to help the agents out. 

Cinch Home Buyers were a very easy group to work with, and we're grateful for the opportunity to help them out. If your agency is planning on listing properties in or around Elizabeth City, you may want to contact them. 

If your agency requires similar imaging services, give us a call. We're quick to respond, and we go the extra mile to meet our clients needs.

Property in Elizabeth City, NC

Property Video Link

Construction phase documentation for Chowan County contract to update John A. Holmes High School in Edenton, NC. Project is expected to run through 2026. Working with M.B. Kahn has been an illustration in excellent communications, and efficiency. Very grateful M.B. Kahn accepted my work proposal.

Property Video Link

Butler Parachute Systems, based in Roanoke, VA, manufactures high-quality parachute systems for various applications, including emergency egress and military missions. With a newly renovated, 21,000 sq. ft. facility, they ensure reliable testing and production.  Butler Parachute Systems has received federal awards, highlighting their reliability and quality. This was a shoot to highlight the facility expansion into the property footprint.

Towne South is experiencing a welcome phase of growth, as new members are finding a church home here. I have been documenting property improvements, events and images for their publications.

Ben Bloodworth from LTPCommercial called to see if I could get aerial, ground level and interior images for a property listing in Edenton NC. The next morning I arrived at the property (ECU Health Women's Care), in Edenton, spoke with the staff at the property to let them know I was there and got the schedule for the inside shoot. That would have to happen at lunch when there were no patients being seen. I took the opportunity to walk around the property to get an idea of the best perspectives for the ground images of the property. Retrieving the tripod and gimbal, I completed the ground shoot and prepped the drone for the aerial work. The property is on a corner of a busy street that heads down into the historical area of Edenton. Plenty of trees and a few powerlines kept the drone a bit high however I was able to get different angles that included the parking area behind the property. A composite (10 images) NADIR or top down birds eye view finished the aerial work, total time with the UAS in the air was less than 15 minutes. I shoot duplicates at different exposures to end up with a good choice when editing. I did meet a neighborhood cat and a curious neighbor who asked several drone questions. I finished well before the interior shoot, which left me time drive a few blocks down to the historic downtown, and grab a hot mocha at the Edenton Coffee House, and go through the images I had just captured. At 12:00 I was back at the property, and moved inside to photograph the waiting room, and the 8 exam rooms. This took about as long as the ground level and aerial images. Wrapping up, I made my way back to Elizabeth City, and started processing the images. After completing and uploading the images, I sent the link to the online folder to Ben and Clare, along with the invoice. I'm finding that I enjoy commercial property work, and plan on moving further that direction if the opportunity presents itself. Thanks to Ben Bloodworth at Teams / Partner Commercial in Raleigh for this opportunity.

I was on my way home for lunch, and got a message from Jerry Alston, owner of Blue Pearl Drones LLC, in Charlotte, NC. 

He had picked up a drone job to provide some images for a shopping center in Elizabeth City, NC, and wanted to know if I could shoot them for him. He gave me the details, I assured him I could get what he needed. 

I went to the subject shopping center, picked as inconspicuous a spot as possible at a grocery shopping center at mid-day, and threw my drone up. The periphery images weren't difficult, but walking the drone around the parking lot was a little dicey.

Didn't take long, got the images uploaded to a shared folder. It was a straightforward gig and I appreciate the work. Thank you Jerry!

Mike Baker of Taylor Mueller Realty in Elizabeth City sent me a text, said he may have some work for me. Mike's a great guy and a good friend, and a local realtor. He had a new listing coming up in early January, and wanted some images. 

I figured out the best time of day after a day of rain and wind, and was at the location with my shot list. It was a drone pilots dream. Huge yards, few obstructions, zero traffic and no passerbys. Although sun on the front of the house would have been more aesthetic, this time of year you make the most of what you get from a sun hanging lower on the horizon.

After getting the shots he needed I got an orbit video b-roll (just in case), and headed home.

I had shot some HDR 3 bracket images, and a top down composite, so editing took awhile. I took another look at the orbit video, and decided to edit it into a quick 60 second promo for the property that featured some property details and Taylor Mueller's logo. I put that up on Youtube and sent Mike the link. He liked it, so I added it to his invoice. He's local so I dropped the files off at his office on an SD card.

If I retire as planned in a couple of years, I want to keep doing this work. So let's keep me busy!