Terms & Conditions

Definitions & Interpretation

In these Terms and Conditions, the following definitions apply:

• "DroneConnect", "we", "us" or "our" means DroneConnect Ltd, a company registered in Ireland.
• "Platform" means the DroneConnect website, mobile application and associated services at droneconnect.co.
• "Client" means any individual or business that posts a project or purchases drone services through the Platform.
• "Pilot" means any drone operator registered on the Platform who offers aerial services.
• "Project" means a drone services job posted by a Client on the Platform.
• "Services" means all services made available through the Platform.
• "User" means any person who accesses or uses the Platform, whether as a Client or Pilot.
• "Escrow" means the secure payment holding service operated by DroneConnect.

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the DroneConnect Platform, you confirm that you:

• Are at least 18 years of age
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract
• Have read, understood and agree to these Terms in their entirety
• Agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy
• Are not prohibited by law from using our services

These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and DroneConnect Ltd. If you do not agree, you must immediately cease using the Platform. We reserve the right to update these Terms at any time. Continued use following notification of changes constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

Our Services

DroneConnect operates as a two-sided marketplace that connects:

• Clients seeking professional aerial services with verified, independent drone pilots
• Drone pilots seeking commercial work with businesses and organisations

Our platform enables Clients to post projects, receive proposals from Pilots, communicate, agree terms, and process payments securely. DroneConnect does not employ Pilots and is not responsible for the execution of any drone operations.

We operate across Ireland (regulated by the IAA), the United Kingdom (regulated by the CAA) and the European Union (regulated under EASA). Pilots are responsible for compliance with all applicable national aviation regulations in their operating territory.

User Accounts & Registration

To use the full features of the Platform, you must create an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, complete and up-to-date information during registration
• Maintain the confidentiality of your login credentials
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorised access to your account
• Accept responsibility for all activity that occurs under your account
• Not share your account with third parties

DroneConnect reserves the right to suspend or terminate any account that violates these Terms, engages in fraudulent activity, or poses a risk to the safety of other users or the public.

Client Obligations

As a Client using DroneConnect, you agree to:

• Provide accurate project descriptions including location, scope, and any relevant access restrictions
• Obtain all necessary permissions, landowner consents and local authority approvals for drone operations at your project site
• Inform Pilots of any hazards, restricted zones, or safety considerations at the project location
• Not request operations that violate applicable aviation regulations or laws
• Process payment promptly in accordance with agreed project terms
• Confirm project completion honestly and promptly
• Not circumvent the platform by engaging Pilots directly outside of DroneConnect

Clients are solely responsible for ensuring the project site is legally accessible for drone operations. DroneConnect accepts no liability for regulatory non-compliance arising from inaccurate or incomplete project information provided by the Client.

Pilot Obligations

As a Pilot registered on DroneConnect, you warrant that you:

• Hold a valid and current IAA, CAA or EASA drone operator authorisation applicable to your operating region
• Hold public liability insurance of at least €5,000,000 / £5,000,000 and will maintain this throughout your use of the Platform
• Operate only within the scope of your certifications and within applicable airspace regulations
• Are solely responsible for assessing operational safety at any project site
• Will not undertake any project that you determine to be unsafe or in breach of aviation regulations
• Will deliver work of professional quality within agreed timelines
• Will immediately notify DroneConnect of any change to your certification or insurance status
• Will not misrepresent your qualifications, experience or equipment

Payments & Fees

DroneConnect operates a secure escrow payment system:

• Clients make payment at the point of accepting a Pilot's proposal
• Funds are held in secure escrow until project completion is confirmed
• Payment is released to the Pilot upon Client confirmation of satisfactory completion
• In the event of a dispute, funds remain in escrow pending resolution

Platform Fees: DroneConnect charges a service fee on transactions made through the Platform. Current fee schedules are published on our Pricing page. Fees are deducted automatically from the transaction amount.

VAT: Where applicable, VAT will be charged in accordance with Irish, UK or EU tax law based on the location of the parties involved.

Cancellations & Refunds

The following cancellation policy applies:

• Client cancellation 48+ hours before project: Full refund minus platform fee
• Client cancellation within 48 hours: 50% refund at DroneConnect's discretion
• Client cancellation after project commencement: No refund unless Pilot is in breach
• Pilot cancellation: Full refund to Client; repeated cancellations may result in account suspension
• Pilot unable to deliver: Full refund to Client with no deductions

All refund requests must be submitted through the Platform's dispute resolution process. DroneConnect's decision on refund disputes is final. Refunds are processed within 5–10 business days.

Intellectual Property

Ownership of deliverables (photographs, video footage, mapping data, survey reports) is governed by the agreement between Client and Pilot as set out in the project proposal.

Unless otherwise agreed in writing:

• Pilots retain copyright in all original works until full payment is received
• Upon full payment, Pilots grant Clients a perpetual, worldwide licence to use the deliverables for the agreed purpose
• Exclusive rights or full copyright assignment must be explicitly agreed in the project proposal and may attract additional fees
• Pilots may retain the right to use work in their portfolio unless the Client has paid for full exclusivity

The DroneConnect name, logo, website design, and all Platform content are the intellectual property of DroneConnect Ltd. No reproduction or use without prior written consent.

Limitation of Liability & Warranties

DroneConnect provides the Platform on an 'as is' and 'as available' basis. We do not warrant that:

• The Platform will be uninterrupted, error-free or free from viruses
• Results obtained from using the Platform will be accurate or reliable
• Any Pilot will meet your specific requirements

DroneConnect is not liable for: loss of data, loss of revenue or profits, indirect or consequential losses, damage caused by drone operations, third-party acts, or force majeure events including adverse weather that prevents drone operations.

Prohibited Conduct

Users must not use the Platform to:

• Post false, misleading or fraudulent project information or pilot credentials
• Request drone operations in violation of IAA, CAA, EASA or any applicable regulations
• Harass, threaten or abuse other users
• Conduct transactions outside the Platform to circumvent fees
• Collect or harvest personal data of other users
• Upload malicious code, viruses or disruptive content
• Impersonate any person or entity
• Use the Platform for surveillance, stalking or illegal activities
• Operate in any manner that could bring DroneConnect into disrepute

Violations may result in immediate account suspension, forfeiture of funds, and where appropriate, reporting to relevant authorities.

Governing Law & Jurisdiction

These Terms and Conditions are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Ireland, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Ireland. Nothing in this clause prevents DroneConnect from seeking injunctive relief in any jurisdiction.

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.