Home values Typical Rapid City home value: about $362K (Zillow)Typical price Drone real estate photos: about $150–$400 per homeTypical price Drone photos + short video: about $300–$650 per listingTypical price Construction progress flight: about $250–$600 per visitTypical price Event aerial video: about $500–$1,500Typical price Land and site mapping: about $10–$30 per acreLocal rule Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park ban dronesLocal rule Custer State Park allows drones under FAA rulesLocal rule Ellsworth Air Force Base is nearby: check airspace firstLocal rule Black Hills National Forest: OK outside wildernessFall Tip Spearfish Canyon color peaks in early OctoberWinter Tip Give bison extra space; harassing wildlife is illegalTip Paid drone work requires an FAA Part 107 certificateTip Remote ID is required on drones 250 g and upHome values Typical Rapid City home value: about $362K (Zillow)Typical price Drone real estate photos: about $150–$400 per homeTypical price Drone photos + short video: about $300–$650 per listingTypical price Construction progress flight: about $250–$600 per visitTypical price Event aerial video: about $500–$1,500Typical price Land and site mapping: about $10–$30 per acreLocal rule Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park ban dronesLocal rule Custer State Park allows drones under FAA rulesLocal rule Ellsworth Air Force Base is nearby: check airspace firstLocal rule Black Hills National Forest: OK outside wildernessFall Tip Spearfish Canyon color peaks in early OctoberWinter Tip Give bison extra space; harassing wildlife is illegalTip Paid drone work requires an FAA Part 107 certificateTip Remote ID is required on drones 250 g and up

Prices are estimates. How we get them

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Local drone pilots · South Dakota

Hire a Drone Pilot in Rapid City, South Dakota

Rapid City is the gateway to the Black Hills. It's one of the few places near famous landmarks where a big state park actually allows drones, while the national landmarks nearby do not.

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Part 107 Certified Pilots

Every pilot we connect you with holds an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.

Check a Pilot's Certificate Look up any pilot's FAA certificate by name on the FAA's official Airmen Inquiry site.

What people book in Rapid City

  • Tourism and lodging video around the Black Hills
  • Cabins, acreage and ranch listings
  • Construction and commercial projects
  • Weddings in the hills
  • Fall color in the canyons

Typical Rapid City home value: about $362K, per Zillow (as of August 31, 2026).

Airspace around Rapid City

  • Ellsworth Air Force Base is just east of the city. Check the airspace before you fly anywhere on that side of town.

Check every flight in a B4UFLY app first.

Where you can fly near Rapid City

  • Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park ban drones (National Park Service drone rule).
  • Custer State Park allows drones under FAA rules and posted guidelines (South Dakota GFP).
  • Black Hills National Forest is generally open outside wilderness, such as Black Elk Wilderness.
  • Give bison and other wildlife plenty of space. Harassing wildlife is illegal.

Seasonal tips

  • Rapid City fall tip: Spearfish Canyon color peaks in early October.
  • Rapid City winter tip: give bison extra space; harassing wildlife is illegal.

Typical drone prices

ServiceTypical 2026 priceSource
Real estate, drone photos only (5–10 edited)$100–$400 (mid-market $150–$250)RotatePilot
Real estate, drone photos + 30–60 sec video$200–$650 (mid-market $300–$450)RotatePilot
Real estate, residential shoot$150–$400; luxury or commercial $400–$1,200RotorRate
Drone add-on to listing photosAbout $95–$150 (example rate card)Lucrative Dynamics
Wedding: drone added to videography$400–$1,200Plana
Wedding: standalone drone operator (2–4 hrs)$500–$1,500Plana
Wedding videographer (national average)About $2,300 (The Knot)Paperlust

National 2026 estimates, not local quotes. Ask your pilot for a written quote. How we get our prices.

How booking works

Requests in the Rapid City area are shared with independent local pilots who hold an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate. The pilot contacts you with availability and a written quote; nothing is booked until you approve it.

Book a Flight FAA Rules Pilot Sign-Up All cities

Drone Pilot Guide USA is an independent referral service that connects you with local FAA Part 107 drone pilots and aerial photographers. Pilots are independent businesses. Requests from this site go to Darin Chamberlin in Eastern Iowa or to an independent local Part 107 pilot.

Don't See Your City? Request a Pilot

We're adding cities all the time. Tell us where and what you need, and we'll look for a qualified FAA Part 107 pilot near you.

Drone Pilot Guide USA is an independent referral service that connects you with local FAA Part 107 drone pilots and aerial photographers. Pilots are independent businesses. Requests from this site go to Darin Chamberlin in Eastern Iowa or to an independent local Part 107 pilot.

Thanks. Your request was sent. We'll look for a Part 107 pilot near you.

Please allow 48 hrs for email replies.

Certified Pilots

Hold a current FAA Part 107 certificate? Join our network and get local flight requests.

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Need Aerial Photography?

Photos and video of homes, land, job sites and events by a Part 107 certified pilot near you.

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