Eye Spy Detective Agency provides FAA-licensed drone surveillance services throughout Michigan, capturing aerial footage and evidence that ground-level investigators cannot reach. Our drone operators hold current FAA Remote Pilot Certificates, all operations comply with Michigan law, and every piece of footage we collect is legally admissible in court. If the agency you’re considering can’t say the same, that evidence won’t hold up when it matters.
Call (888) 393-7799 any time to discuss your case.
What Drone Surveillance Can Do That Ground Surveillance Cannot
A drone gives investigators a perspective that no amount of foot or vehicle surveillance can replicate. From above, Eye Spy can document activity across large properties, capture footage of hard-to-reach locations, identify vehicles present at a site, and conduct pre-surveillance reconnaissance to map approach routes and entry points before ground investigators move in.
Drone surveillance is particularly effective for large rural properties, construction sites, waterfront locations, and any situation where a subject is likely to spot a ground-level investigator before evidence can be documented.
FAA Licensing and Legal Admissibility
Operating a drone commercially in the United States requires FAA registration and a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107 rules. Any footage collected by an unlicensed operator is not only obtained illegally – it is inadmissible in court. This is not a technicality. Judges exclude it, and the investigation fails.
Eye Spy’s drone operators are FAA licensed and follow all applicable federal, state, and local regulations on every flight. We do not fly over areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, we observe all altitude and airspace restrictions, and we operate only under conditions that meet FAA requirements. Your footage will hold up.
When Drone Surveillance Is the Right Tool
Drone surveillance is not always the right choice – but when it is, nothing replaces it. Common situations where Eye Spy deploys drone surveillance include:
- Insurance fraud investigations involving large properties or outdoor activity claims
- Domestic cases where a subject is known to frequent rural or hard-to-access locations
- Corporate investigations involving large facilities, construction sites, or outdoor operations
- Litigation support requiring aerial documentation of a property, scene, or site condition
- Pre-surveillance reconnaissance to plan a ground operation before investigators move in
Drone surveillance is often used alongside physical surveillance rather than as a standalone service. Call Eye Spy to discuss whether aerial coverage fits your case.
Why Eye Spy for Drone Surveillance in Michigan
Eye Spy Detective Agency has operated in Michigan for over 30 years. We were among the first PI firms in the state to invest in aerial surveillance technology, and we hold all required FAA credentials to operate commercially. Every case is handled confidentially, all records are controlled in-house, and our investigators have testified as expert witnesses in Michigan courts on surveillance matters.
For physical ground surveillance, see our Michigan Physical Surveillance page. For vehicle GPS tracker detection, see our Vehicle Bug Sweeps page.
Common Questions About Drone Surveillance in Michigan
Is drone surveillance by a private investigator legal in Michigan?
Yes, within defined boundaries. Michigan law prohibits drone surveillance in areas where individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy, and FAA regulations govern all commercial drone operations. Eye Spy operates strictly within these boundaries – our drone operators are FAA licensed, and we only conduct aerial surveillance in legally permissible locations and conditions.
Is drone footage admissible in Michigan court?
Footage collected by a licensed FAA operator following all applicable regulations is admissible. Footage collected by an unlicensed operator is not – and any evidence built on it fails. Eye Spy holds all required credentials, and our investigators have testified as expert witnesses in Michigan courts on surveillance matters.
How is drone surveillance different from physical surveillance?
Physical surveillance is conducted at ground level – following a subject, documenting activity from a vehicle or on foot. Drone surveillance provides an aerial perspective, allowing investigators to cover large areas, document locations inaccessible to ground investigators, and capture footage a subject is unlikely to detect. The two methods are often used together on the same case.
What are FAA Part 107 rules and why do they matter?
FAA Part 107 is the federal regulation governing commercial drone operations in the United States. It requires drone operators to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate, register their aircraft, and follow operational rules including altitude limits, airspace restrictions, and line-of-sight requirements. Any PI operating a drone commercially without this certification is breaking federal law, and their footage cannot be used as evidence.
Does Eye Spy provide drone surveillance throughout Michigan?
Eye Spy provides drone surveillance services throughout Michigan. Our office is based in Fraser, MI, and we travel statewide for cases that require aerial coverage. Call (888) 393-7799 to discuss your location and whether drone surveillance fits your situation.
We can start your case within one hour of hiring us online, including nights and weekends. Call (888) 393-7799 or hire us directly on our website – no waiting, no voicemail.
