FAQ
Drone Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Up Sonder?
Up Sonder (US) connects the world to drone services. Up Sonder is a national drone service provider that allows businesses to eliminate costly in-house drone-based teams by offering total aerial solutions as needed. Each client works directly with a friendly dedicated Up Sonder specialist. Up Sonder handles drone and pilot sourcing, airspace authorizations, mission planning, and compliance to ensure all projects are successful. The Up Sonder network covers over 850 cities with over 318,000 flight hours worth of experience. Large or small, aerial data collection is now simple, fast, and professional with Up Sonder.
Where did the name “Sonder” come from?
“Sonder” is an anagram of “Drones.” If you re-arrange the word “Drones” you spell “Sonder.”
I see a lot of “bee” where the word should be “be.” Is this a spelling error?
Not at all. Up Sonder’s mascot is a drone worker bee named “Sonder.” The team at Up Sonder is a great group of people who love a good time and bring their playful nature into our website design. Our company’s fun-loving culture can bee seen throughout our site.
On your social media accounts and other places, I’ve seen Elon Musk mentioned. Is he involved with Up Sonder?
We wish! Up Sonder’s CEO admires and respects Elon Musk for doing something larger for society than generating a profit. Mr. Musk is often talked about in the company as being the only thing cooler than drones. Who knows, maybe one day on Up Sonder you could book one of Mr. Musk’s rocketships!
How do bookings work?
Up Sonder is a peer-to-peer network. Booking on the Up Sonder’s platform after becoming a member is simple and easy:
- Search and compare local drone or drone operators in your desired area.
- Book through the Up Sonder Messaging System.
- Fly.
Is Up Sonder safe?
Yes. Up Sonder takes security seriously and takes steps to verify our members - such as requiring a government-issued ID from each client, verifying social media and email accounts, telephone numbers, requiring a physical address, and implementing peer-reviews. Being a part of the Up Sonder community means understanding that drones are fun, but there are real concerns and the reason Up Sonder has verifications standards in place. Up Sonder works hard in the background to make sure our members can focus on what is important: having fun getting Up!
Where is Up Sonder located?
Up Sonder is a Los Angeles-based company that operates throughout the United States in all time zones. The sharing economy allows Up Sonder the ability to grow into new markets. Up Sonder is just getting started and has an ambitious expansion plan, so if we are not servicing your area please be patient as it won’t be long until we take you Up!
What are Up Sonder’s fees?
Becoming a member and having an account with Up Sonder will always be free! Up Sonder earns on every booking transaction. We love our Providers and we show it by making it so each Provider keeps a large majority of every transaction, around 95%! We love it when our Providers make money! Up Sonder also saves the client money by charging a low rounded average of 10% on each booking. By helping Providers make money and clients save money, Up Sonder can continue its day-to-day operations of advertising drones, processing payments, verifying members, securing information, and most importantly taking businesses Up.
How are payments handled?
All payments and transfers to Providers are made securely on Up Sonder through Braintree, our payment processor, direct to the Provider’s bank account. Braintree is certified to PCI Service Provider Level 1, the most stringent level of certification. Payments are collected from the clients at point of booking and disbursed to Providers 24 hours after the booking period begins.
What happens if my drone is damaged or lost for drone-only listings?
Up Sonder has you covered! We value our Up Sonder Providers and we show it by having a Provider Guarantee at no extra cost to the Provider that protects their drone during a drone-only booking. If the unthinkable happens during a third party booking, Up Sonder will be there to make things whole, meaning Provider’s drones will be fixed or fully replaced. Up Sonder clients have it pretty good too as we offer a low-cost damage waiver fee that helps cover accidental loss or damage during their booking. The goal is the take our members Up and keep them Up!
What if I don’t want to use insurance?
Insurance is mandatory for all flights.
May I only list my service and/or only a drone for rent on Up Sonder?
Yes. Up Sonder was created to allow drone pilots to list their services and/or only their drone. Multiple listings for one account is possible. We are laser focused when it comes to our business model. We know drones better than Elon Musk knows rockets!
What prices do I set?
Up Sonder is designed to give you full control over pricing. Up Sonder gives our suggested rate on drones, but at the end of the day it’s the Providers choice. Isn’t freedom cool?
May I adjust my availability?
Yes. Please visit the “Calendar” tab under Control to manage your available booking dates.
What happens if I don't accept a request?
You're free to accept and decline any request. You will have 24 hours to respond to all requests. If a request is unanswered, our system will automatically cancel after 24 hours and notify the client. If you can't accept a request, you should always reply so that the client is aware and able to make alternative plans. Note that your response time is documented and displayed on your listing to the public. A higher response time may increase the likelihood clients will send you a request.
May I cancel a request?
Yes. You or the client can cancel the request at any time before payment has been made. You can cancel the request from Control under Reservations.
Why is my profile photo black and white?
The system was designed to automatically change all member’s photos to black and white. Up Sonder is laser focused on drones and we wanted to make sure they are highlighted accordingly. It is our way of keeping the drones happy. No one likes an angry drone.
What if the client is late returning my drone?
Please reach out to the client to make sure they aren't delayed by unforeseen circumstances. If you're unable to reach the client or they need to extend the booking date, contact Up Sonder and we can follow up on your behalf.
My drone was returned damaged. What do I do?
Please leave a negative review, so that the client is not likely to rent again. If you believe the damage is beyond normal wear-and-tear, and affects normal operation of your drone, take a photo of the drone and send it to us (info@upsonder.com) with a detailed description of the situation 24 hours after the most recent booking period ends or before your next booking. Up Sonder will not cover damage that's been reported more than 24 hours after a booking period ends or if within that time your drone was rented out to a new client.
Are my profits taxed?
Up Sonder will mail you a Form 1099 if you earn more than $600 in a single tax year. Please contact your tax consultant for further information.
What is Up Sonder Life?
Up Sonder believes in doing good for the world and Up Sonder Life is an effort to do just that through providing access to clean drinking water. More than 1 billion people don’t have clean drinking water and we believe we can do something about that by donating a portion of our profits of every transaction to our Up Sonder Life initiative.
May I extend the booking period?
Clients can request to extend their booking period as long as the Provider’s calendar is not blocked for those requested days. All booking extension requests must be approved by the Provider.
May I alter the booking dates?
Clients can request to alter their booking dates as long as the Provider’s calendar is not blocked for those requested days. All booking date change requests must be approved by the Provider.
What are the refund and cancellation policies?
Please review our Client Refund Policy.
How does Up Sonder define a Provider?
An Up Sonder Provider can fall under three categories. 1) A drone owner who lists their drone for rent on Up Sonder, 2) A person who has their remote pilot certificate and lists their service on Up Sonder, 3) A person who has their remote pilot certificate and lists both their service and drone on Up Sonder.
How does Up Sonder define a Client?
A client can be both a business or an individual needing a drone and/or service for commercial purposes.
For my listing do I need to provide pictures of my drone?
Up Sonder has professional images of over 590 drones on our site! More than likely we will have your drone in our system. If you built your own drone (amazing!), then you will need to provide a picture of your drone to upload to your listing page.
May I rent using a debit card?
Yes. In addition to debit cards Up Sonder also accepts major credit cards such as Visa, Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Diners and EMV cards.
May I list my service on Up Sonder if I don’t have my remote pilot certificate?
No. It is required by law. All drone service Providers are required to enter their “remote pilot certificate” ID in order to list on Up Sonder.
Will Up Sonder help me obtain my remote pilot certificate?
The FAA Aeronautical Knowledge exam costs $150 to take in order to get your remote pilot certificate. While Up Sonder does not directly help new pilots obtain this certificate, we as a company do support new drone pilots who successfully pass the test by paying them back the $150 fee for listing their service on Up Sonder. Just one of the many perks to being a part of the Up Sonder community.
May I list my drone without an FAA drone registration number?
No. As required by law, you need to register your aircraft if it weighs between 0.55 lbs. (250 grams) and up to 55 lbs. (25 kg) and does not fall under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft (strictly for hobby or recreational use only). As you will be monetizing your drone it would fall outside the Special Rule for Model Aircraft and must be registered with the FAA. Providers will need to provide their FAA drone registration number in order to list their drone for rent on Up Sonder. The FAA charges $5 to drone owners to obtain their registration number, but the good news is Up Sonder will pay you back the $5 after your first booking. Just one of the many perks to being a part of the Up Sonder community.
May I list my drone for rent on Up Sonder if I don’t have my remote pilot certificate?
Yes. As you will not be operating your drone and simply letting others rent your drone for their specific needs, you will not be required to obtain the FAA’s remote pilot certificate for commercial operators.
I don't feel comfortable giving my banking details, may I use PayPal for my payouts?
Yes. Up Sonder's payment provider is Braintree (a Paypal company). This means that Up Sonder does not have access to banking details. They're actually encrypted and sent directly to Braintree who holds them for Up Sonder.
