I am glad to publish the following press release from Air-Vid.

Air-Vid takes off with worldwide directory of drone and UAV pilots

The community includes more than 500 UAV pilots from 37 countries.

Aerial pilot directory Air-Vid is announcing the milestone of their 500th drone pilot to join its community, now encompassing UAV pilots from over 37 countries.

Air-Vid is a web-based community of remote aerial pilots, built with both pilots and anyone looking to hire an aerial photographer in mind. UAV pilots can upload their contact information, location, photos and demo reels, while anyone who needs aerial video, stills or surveys can easily search the directory to connect with a pilot whose UAV flying capabilities meet their needs. The site benefits both parties, helping pilots and customers to connect their businesses.

“It’s an easy process to find a videographer,” said Air-Vid Chief Marketing Officer George Gooderham. “It’s like a matchmaker service.”

No transactions are done on the site; pilots manage the transactions with their customers after getting connected through Air-Vid.

Pilots in the Air-Vid community range from hobbyists to professionals who have worked on Hollywood films — among them are Drone Dudes, whose clients include Nike and GoPro. Customers can search pilots based on the skill level they’re looking for, whether they’re looking for someone to fly over an event, rescue mission, news story or even a wedding.

“Air-Vid is a one stop shop to find and compare companies from all over the world,” said Eric Maloney, Head of Production at Drone Dudes. “It will allow clients to quickly decipher who the real talented high- end guys are and who is just getting started.”

Air-Vid pilots are capable of doing flights including: search and rescue, cinematography, mapping, roof inspections 3D Imaging and asset management.

The site, unlike any other drone community in existence, was founded by Patrick Egan, George Gooderham and David French, all self-described “serial entrepreneurs wearing 400 hats.”

Gooderham, an accomplished aerial photographer, had the idea to crowd-source a UAV pilot when his daughter went on a school trip to Italy.

“Wouldn’t it be cool if I could watch their outdoor concert in Rome from my home in Toronto?” he said.

Meanwhile Egan, a licensed pilot, who separately works for a major commercial real estate firm, wanted a way to show off multi-million dollar parcels of land in order to differentiate his marketing.

“Typically there’s always a photo with no context looking out over a green field, but there’s no proximity to retail, roads or traffic,” Egan said. “An aerial image would give context to that property.”

Over coffee one day, they realized why isn’t there an easy way to find a UAV pilot online?

Air-Vid does just that.

“Finding a pilot in the Turks was really easy,” said Sarah Matthews “http://www.matthewsconsulting.ca” http://www.matthewsconsulting.ca, a project manager for a major resort development on the Turks and Caicos Islands. “I reviewed his previous work from my office and arranged to have him meet me at the property 2,500 km away. I needed a flyover of the property and wanted some stills for my portfolio.”

Since its inception, pilots have participated in aerial cinematography opportunities including: a lifestyle clothing brand shoot, monitoring ice flows in a river for a township and aerial video for resort marketing. Air-Vid looks to find pilots that use innovative ways to use aerial photography to solve problems.

“These technologies have taken root,” co-founder David French said. “They are powerful tools with limitless consumer and commercial applications, and this industry is poised for growth.”