Flagship
DJI Inspire 3 · Zenmuse X9
Our flagship aerial cinema drone delivers stunning 8K ProRes RAW imagery for film, television, and commercial productions.
8K ProRes RAW17mm24mm35mm50mm
Aerial Cinematography · Drone Engineering
Built to fly. Built to get the shot.
Cinema drone operation for film, television and commercial productions, and custom UAV engineering for teams with specialized aerial requirements. Led by founder and UAV engineer Keitel Small.
★★★★★ 5.0 on Google · 12 reviews
12+ years drone experience
NDAA-compliant aircraft
Trusted on
Fear the Walking Dead · S8
Lifetime · Preach Pray Love
National Commercials
Music Videos
Carnival · Saint Lucia & Atlanta
The Fleet
The right aircraft
The right aircraft
for every shot
From 8K ProRes RAW flagship work to close-proximity FPV and ground-level tracking, we match the platform to the location and the creative vision.
Super 35
DJI Inspire 2 · Zenmuse X7
A versatile aerial cinema platform featuring a Super 35 camera, detailed 6K RAW imagery, and ProRes recording.
6K RAWProRes16mm24mm35mm50mm
Heavy Lift
Freefly ALTA X · MōVI Pro
A heavy lift aerial cinema platform paired with the Freefly MōVI Pro gimbal for smooth, stabilized footage with professional cinema cameras.
Full-size cinema camerasHigh-end film & TV
Custom Build
AirBrain XFactor · Heavy Lift FPV
Our custom heavy lift FPV platform pairs immersive flight with the Gremsy H16 Pro V2 gimbal, bringing stabilized cinema camera movement to dynamic aerial sequences.
Gremsy H16 Pro V2Designed in-house
FPV
GoPro FPV Fleet · 2″–10″
Immersive fly-throughs, close-proximity perspectives, and high-energy tracking shots. Multiple sizes let us match the aircraft to the location.
Fly-throughsIndoor & tight spacesTracking
Ground Level
Camera Rover · Ground-Level Cinematography
A remote-controlled camera platform delivering dynamic, low-angle tracking shots and unique ground-level perspectives. Ideal for cinematic reveals, vehicle sequences, and creative movement through a scene.
Low-angle trackingVehicle sequencesReveals
5.1K
Compact
DJI Mavic 3 Cine
A compact aerial filmmaking platform delivering rich, detailed 5.1K ProRes footage. Ideal for scenic aerials, location shoots, and productions requiring a smaller footprint.
5.1K ProResSmall footprintScenic aerials
Why productions call Keitel
Pilot, engineer
Pilot, engineer
and problem-solver
Keitel Small brings military UAS engineering, custom aircraft development and professional aerial cinematography to every set. When something needs to be built, adapted or fixed on the day, it gets handled, and complex airspace authorizations and permits are part of the job.
12+Years in drones
5.0★Google rating
NDAACompliant aircraft
Drone Engineering & Custom UAV Development
Purpose-built aircraft.
Purpose-built aircraft.
Practical engineering.
Drone engineering, custom UAV development and systems integration for businesses, production teams and organizations with specialized aerial requirements. Whether you need a custom aircraft, a payload integrated, or an existing platform improved, we help turn your operational goals into a working solution, with NDAA-compliant machines and real-world flight experience behind every build.
01
Custom Drone Design & Assembly
Custom multirotor, FPV, and fixed-wing platforms developed around your mission, payload, and operating requirements, from component selection and layout to assembly, wiring, and configuration.
02
Payload & Systems Integration
Cameras, gimbals, sensors, GPS modules, telemetry radios, and supporting electronics, with mounting, power, weight distribution, vibration, and inter-system communication all accounted for.
03
Flight Controller Configuration & Tuning
Setup, firmware configuration, sensor calibration, flight modes, failsafes, and tuning. ArduPilot-based systems, including ArduCopter and ArduPlane, configured for the aircraft and its intended use.
04
Power & Propulsion Development
Motor, propeller, ESC, and battery selection balanced across thrust, payload capacity, endurance, weight, and power demand.
05
Prototyping & Fabrication
Custom mounts, enclosures, component trays, and aircraft parts through CAD design and 3D printing, refining fit and serviceability before the next stage.
06
Diagnostics & Performance Optimization
Troubleshooting instability, vibration, electrical interference, navigation errors, or inconsistent performance through flight-log analysis and hands-on inspection.
07
Technical Consultation & Training
Engineering guidance for new builds, upgrades, component selection, and project planning, plus practical instruction so operators can understand, maintain, and troubleshoot their aircraft.
Built Around Your Mission
Every project starts with what the aircraft must do
Payload, flight time, operating environment, budget, and maintenance requirements guide the engineering process from the start.
- Cinematic FPV
- Heavy-lift camera platforms
- Inspection aircraft
- Mapping systems
- Research prototypes
Our Process
From requirements
From requirements
to reliable flight
Define the requirements
We discuss your goals, existing equipment, technical challenges, and project constraints.
Develop the solution
We establish the aircraft configuration, integration approach, scope of work, and milestones.
Build and integrate
We assemble, fabricate, wire, and configure the agreed systems.
Test and refine
Bench checks and flight testing, then adjustments based on the results.
Deliver and support
Documentation, operating guidance, and technical support so you can move forward confidently.
Project-based engineering, consulting, and ongoing development support. Pricing is based on scope and technical requirements.
What producers say
Reviews
Keitel worked with me on Season 8 of Fear the Walking Dead, and his expertise was exceptional. We handled everything from a challenging boat chase through swamp terrain to car chases on narrow, wooded roads, as well as large-scale establishing shots… He’s a consummate cinema technologist, a classic tinkerer with a Q-branch sensibility, able to build, adapt, or invent whatever tools are needed to get the shot.
David MorrisonGoogle review
I can’t recommend Keitel and AirBrain Aerials highly enough. He’s helped me on several projects that required complex airspace authorizations, and his expertise made what could have been a stressful process feel completely seamless… Keitel and AirBrain Aerials are true professionals and absolutely the go-to drone company.
Chris FloresGoogle review
Keitel is the best, worked on various music videos and movies with him over 4 years now. His knowledge in tech is also really good being able to problem solve drone and camera stuff on the fly, helps us producers big time when problems arise, highly recommend him.
Scott HansenGoogle review
…an exceptional drone operator who worked with us on the Lifetime film ‘Preach Pray Love’. Keitel demonstrated exceptional professionalism and expertise, delivering outstanding results on short notice. He successfully obtained necessary permits and provided top-notch drone operation services, exceeding our expectations.
Jennifer PessimaGoogle review
Keitel is a master. No, a Ninja with all things drone. …Keitel not only nailed the very shot, it blew our client’s [minds] when they saw the footage.
Alex LeMayGoogle review
It was a honor working with AirBrain Aerials in Saint Lucia for Carnival! Footage was beyond cinematic!
Rebesh EntertainmentGoogle review
I was particularly impressed by their creative eye for aesthetics and the high-quality drone and film footage. The final result is a modern, authentic video that perfectly reflects my salon.
Isabel GerhardtGoogle review
Keitel was amazing!!! He is very professional and video turned out great! I highly recommend.
Clarence Gray IIIGoogle review
Book AirBrain Aerials
Let’s build your
Let’s build your
next shot
Booking a production, or need a custom drone, a challenging integration, or an experienced engineer to support your team? Tell us about the project, location, payload or performance goals, and timeline. Keitel will follow up with next steps.
- ✉
- ☏Phone+1 (404) 599-0634
- ◎AvailabilityProductions booked locally and on location