OUR CREW
CASA-Accredited, Licenced & Certified
Remote Operator
Illawarra NSW
Safety & Compliance First Approach
Our crew puts safety first, from planning every flight, site pre-flight visits, local council permits, SafeWork and airspace compliance to how we work alongside other contractors on location.
As a CASA‑certified operation, everyone on the team knows they pause or stop a job if something doesn’t feel safe, whether it’s due to weather, wildlife, SafeWork PPE, and we’d rather delay a flight than risk people, wildlife, property or other aircraft.
We stand by our values SAFETY. COMPLIANCE. INTEGRITY.
Our Crew
Heather James
CEO | Chief Remote Pilot | RePL Instructor | DOP
Heather James co‑founded Professional Drone Imagery Pty Ltd (PDI) in 2024 and leads the company as CEO and Chief Remote Pilot, based in the Illawarra. She left a successful corporate career in marketing and design to build her own company in an exciting emerging drone industry.
With fewer than 20 female‑led ReOC holders Australia‑wide out of approximately 3,300 operators, Heather holds a unique position in the industry and helps drive diversity and inclusion for women in STEM. Drawing on 25+ years of experience in commercial photography and videography, marketing, broadcast media, advertising, coaching, design and aerial imaging, Heather focuses on safe, compliant drone operations and practical visuals that actively support construction, real estate, solar and energy, government, council, tourism and local business projects.
Within the first year, she and the business were recognised as finalists in the IMB Bank Illawarra Business Awards for “Outstanding New Business” 2025 and the Small Business Hub FLARE “Next Gen Leader” Award 2025, backed by consistent 5‑star Google reviews from happy customers. She provides professional coaching and has partnered with iDrone Train to deliver Remote Pilot Licencing for aspiring commercial remote pilots.
Heather is working towards the EVLOS (Extended Visual Line of Sight) and BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) CASA certifications to expand her business and what’s possible for clients, while maintaining a safety‑first approach for each and every flight.
1 of less than 20 female-led REOC holders in Australia
CASA Remotely Piloted Piloted Operators Certificate (REOC)
CASA Remote Pilots Licence (RePL)
CASA Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate (AROC)
Service NSW White Card (General Construction Induction)
25+ Years Marketing, Design, Media & Photography Expertise
Finalist-Awarded business and business leader
RePL Instructor Sub 25kg Multirotor RPA (partnered with CASA-Certified RTO)
Credentials | Chief Remote Pilot
Daniel James
Director | Remote Pilot | Spotter
Daniel James co‑founded Professional Drone Imagery and serves as a Director and co‑owner of the company.
He holds a tertiary qualification in surveying and brings more than a decade of on‑site construction experience, helping shape the way the business approaches accuracy, safety and practical outcomes for clients.
Daniel focuses on the company’s long‑term strategy and behind the scenes operations.
CASA Remotely Piloted Piloted Operators Certificate (REOC)
CASA Remote Pilots Licence (RePL)
CASA Aeronautical Radio Operators Certificate (AROC)
Tertiary qualified Surveyor & construction industry experience
Credentials | Remote Pilot | Spotter
Where we work
Our crew is based in Corrimal/Wollongong and services the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, Southern Highlands and parts of Sydney - from Wollongong and the Sydney CBD down to Ulladulla and across to Bowral, Berry and surrounding areas.
If you have a project outside these regions, contact us to discuss options – in some cases we can coordinate a trusted licenced remote pilot in your area.
You can also refer to our FAQ page for more detail on locations and travel.
Work with us
Are you a remote pilot, photographer, videographer or editor interested in subcontractor opportunities with Professional Drone Imagery? Send us your details through our form.
Very professional thank you Heather... PDI were very organised, easy to deal with and managed the whole process with great ease. Highly recommend working with Heather!
Mark d.
