Florida Drone Production: From Monster Trucks to Major League Baseball and Meta

For AIRWOLF Drones, 2026 has already given us the opportunity to showcase just how diverse Florida drone production can be.

This year, our Florida projects (just to name a few) have included a one-week Boot Barn production in Perry, an action-driven commercial campaign for the Tampa Bay Rays, and a Meta commercial featuring young automotive entrepreneur Riley of Riley's Rebuilds in Bradenton.

Three productions. Three completely different environments. One state. And a lot of time in the air.

Florida Drone Production Across Three Completely Different Campaigns

Being based on Florida's Gulf Coast gives AIRWOLF Drones the ability to support productions throughout the state with professional aerial cinematography, DJI Inspire 3 operations, FPV drones, and specialized heavy-lift drone systems. More importantly, we're accustomed to working as part of larger commercial production crews where aerial isn't simply about getting a beautiful establishing shot. The drone becomes another camera in the production package.

That was especially true on our first major Florida project of the year.

Boot Barn — “Till the Wheels Fall Off” | Perry, Florida

Our first project took us north to Perry, Florida, for Boot Barn's “Till the Wheels Fall Off” campaign. Boot Barn describes the campaign with a pretty fitting line: “This ain't one of them summers for slowing down.” Neither was this shoot. The first day brought us to Iron Horse Mud Ranch, a massive 500+ acre off-road property outside Perry known for mud bogging, off-road trails, freestyle areas, and some seriously capable trucks. Our job was to put the audience into that environment from the air.

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  Monster truck production shoot at Iron Horse Mud Ranch in Perry, Florida.

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  Off-road truck action filmed on location in Florida for a commercial production.

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  FPV drone shot from the commercial, capturing the action up close on location in Florida.

Using the DJI Inspire 3 alongside our FPV drone systems, we were able to approach the action from two very different perspectives. The Inspire 3 gave production the polished, cinematic aerial imagery expected from a national commercial campaign, while FPV allowed us to get aggressive and move with the action as monster trucks powered through the Florida terrain.

Day two couldn't have looked more different. We traded mud, horsepower, and monster trucks for airboats on the Wacissa River, one of North Florida's beautiful spring-fed waterways. Following moving subjects over water presents an entirely different set of challenges from filming on a controlled property. It requires careful planning, communication, positioning, and the ability to adapt quickly as boats, camera teams, sunlight, and conditions constantly change.

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  On location in Florida capturing aerial footage for a commercial production.

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  Aerial drone cinematography following an airboat through the Florida landscape.

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  Aerial drone cinematography following an airboat through the Florida landscape.

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  Airboat action captured during a commercial drone production in Florida.

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  High-speed aerial drone shot of an airboat cutting through the Florida wetlands.

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  Precision aerial cinematography tracking an airboat at speed through Florida waterways.

Check out the full commercial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d80FdEIJ75w

Tampa Bay Rays — “Light It Up” with Chappell Roberts

Our next Florida production brought us back to Tampa Bay to work on the Tampa Bay Rays “Light It Up” campaign alongside Tampa’s own Chappell Roberts. The campaign captured the energy of Tampa Bay baseball—the players, the fans, the city, and the moments that make a Rays game feel bigger than a single play. For AIRWOLF Drones, that meant bringing both DJI Inspire 3 aerial cinematography and FPV drone filming to a production rooted in a place we know well.

Chappell Roberts Director Matt Boswell talking about the FPV shot.

Our work took us across some of Tampa Bay’s most recognizable locations, including Tropicana Field, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, the Howard Frankland Bridge, and the Sykes building in downtown Tampa. Those locations connected the campaign to both the game and the surrounding community. Tropicana Field brought the focus directly to Rays baseball, while the bridges and skyline placed that story within the wider Tampa Bay landscape.

Each location offered a different opportunity for camera movement. At Tropicana Field, we captured aerial perspectives of the ballpark. The bridges gave us room to show the scale of the bay, with long spans stretching across open water. Downtown, we brought a different intensity with an FPV dive down the Sykes building. Moving between the ballpark, expansive waterfront views, and a fast vertical descent gave us contrasting perspectives suited to the campaign’s “Light It Up” energy.

FPV Drone Shot of Sykes Building in Downtown Tampa Bay

https://vimeo.com/900004049?fl=pl&fe=sh

Downtown Tampa Bay - Shot on Inspire 3

Working on a Tampa Bay Rays campaign was especially meaningful because AIRWOLF Drones is a Florida-based company. We travel throughout the United States for commercial productions, but filming close to home brings a different kind of connection. These are places we recognize, roads and bridges we travel, and a skyline we’ve watched from the ground long before photographing it from the air.

CHECK OUT THE COMMERCIAL

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/9cee46_e9fa47e9197443b791eb08c1a6cefe5c/720p/mp4/file.mp4

Tampa Bay Rays - Light it Up! Commercial Spot

Florida Drone Production for Meta and Riley's Rebuilds

Our third Florida project took us to the Freedom Factory racetrack in Bradenton, where AIRWOLF flew the DJI Inspire 3 for a Meta commercial featuring Riley of Riley’s Rebuilds.

Riley Rebuilds - Drone Shot

Riley began rebuilding carburetors as a teenager to help pay for her first vehicle. As her work gained attention online, a garage project grew into a business, with friends joining her to keep up with demand. Her story brings together hands-on automotive craftsmanship and the reach of social media—a fitting combination for a Meta commercial.

Behind the Scenes of Riley Rebuilds

The Freedom Factory gave the shoot a setting grounded in that same automotive culture. We used the Inspire 3 to capture the racetrack from above, establishing the location and giving the edit a wider perspective to complement the ground footage. This assignment called for deliberate, controlled camera movements, so we stayed with the Inspire 3 throughout our aerial work.

After productions in Miami and Tampa Bay, wrapping this stretch of Florida work in Bradenton brought us close to home. It was an opportunity to contribute to a national brand’s commercial while filming a local business owner in a familiar part of our own community.

CHECK OUT THE COMMERCIAL 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OujC4t5leqQ

Why Productions Coming to Florida Work With AIRWOLF

Successful aerial cinematography starts with understanding the shot—how the camera should move, what the light is doing, and how the footage will serve the story. It also takes close coordination with directors, DPs, and producers, supported by thorough airspace planning, permitting, and attention to safety.

AIRWOLF Drones brings that approach to commercials, television, automotive campaigns, sports, branded content, and live broadcasts. We work with each production to develop an aerial approach that fits its creative direction, location, and schedule.

The projects featured here represent just a portion of our work across Florida. We’ve also supported additional shoots in Miami, broadcast coverage of competitive rowing in Sarasota, the CrossFit challenge in Miami, and filming with Mag Bay Yachts in Jupiter. Those assignments span carefully planned commercial shots, fast-moving competition, and marine production, each requiring a different approach to capturing the action.

Mag Bay Yachts Blog (Click image)

Based on Florida’s Gulf Coast and working nationwide, we bring production experience and local knowledge to the set, whether the assignment is close to home or takes us across the country.

Bringing Your Next Production to Florida?

If you're a production company, agency, producer, director, or cinematographer planning a shoot in Florida, AIRWOLF can provide a local, production-ready aerial team capable of everything from precision DJI Inspire 3 cinematography to high-speed FPV and custom heavy-lift drone operations.

Planning a production in Florida? Contact AIRWOLF Drones to discuss aerial cinematography, FPV, and drone production anywhere in the state.

Mag Bay Yachts - Shot on Inspire 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okvpfopfJNI&t=9s

Check out our shots and behind the scenes of our shoot with Tampa Bay Downs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUB3HQGl3cA

Check out our Blog about broadcasting Wodapalooza in Miami Beach (Click it)

Support Our Work

If you enjoy the content we share and want to support what we do, you can browse gear we personally use and recommend here:Shop Drone + Camera Tools on Amazon Purchases made through this link help keep us flying — at no extra cost to you.

Listen to Getting Made

Want to hear more about what goes on behind the camera? Check out Getting Made, a filmmaking podcast exploring the people, stories, and experiences behind working in the film and television industry.

Work With Us

Whether you're producing a commercial, series, broadcast or branded shoot, we bring industry-level drone cinematography to every set.

• Contact Us – Start a conversation about your next project

• Drone Services – See what we offer

• Aircraft We Fly – Meet the tools we bring to set

• Our Work – Explore past projects

• Flight Log Blog – More behind-the-scenes stories and gear insights

Serving productions across Florida and nationwide — including Sarasota, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin.

Underground Drone Cinematography at Danby Quarry | Flying 2,000 Feet Below Ground

The History Behind Vermont’s Danby Marble Quarry

Some productions take you to beautiful places. Others take you somewhere few people on earth will ever experience. Recently, AIRWOLF had the opportunity to capture aerial footage nearly 2,000 feet underground inside the legendary Danby Marble Quarry for a Boot Barn Work campaign focused on the hardworking crews who keep the quarry operating deep beneath Vermont’s mountains. This type of underground drone cinematography requires an entirely different level of preparation compared to traditional outdoor aerial filming.

The Danby Quarry is not just another industrial location. It is the world’s largest underground marble quarry, filled with enormous chambers, winding tunnels, massive loaders, and marble walls that disappear into darkness.

The history of the quarry dates back to the 1800s, with underground mining operations beginning in the early 1900s. Over the decades, Danby marble has been used in iconic American landmarks including the Jefferson Memorial and portions of the U.S. Supreme Court building.

Driving into the quarry feels surreal. You descend through a tunnel carved directly into the mountain before emerging into an underground world where giant slabs of marble are still extracted every single day.

The scale underground is difficult to fully understand until you experience it in person. Massive equipment moves through cathedral-sized chambers while crews work beneath thousands of feet of solid rock overhead.

Projects like this are exactly why the Boot Barn Work article on the quarry resonated with so many people. It shines a light on an industry most people never get to see and the workers whose effort helps build America from the ground up.

Underground Drone Cinematography Without GPS

Flying a drone underground is completely different from flying outdoors.

Once you descend deep enough inside the quarry, GPS disappears entirely. There are no satellites, no positioning assistance, and no safety net. The aircraft must rely on onboard sensors, vision positioning systems, lighting conditions, and constant pilot input to maintain stable flight. Most drone pilots rely heavily on GPS stabilization without even realizing it. Underground, everything changes. Flying inside an active marble quarry introduces serious complications that most drone operators will never encounter.

Signal Interference

Rock, steel, heavy equipment, and the mountain itself can interfere with transmission signals. Maintaining a reliable connection becomes critical when flying deep inside underground chambers.

Low Light Conditions

Many sections of the quarry are extremely dark. Limited lighting can affect obstacle sensing systems and visual positioning performance, increasing the difficulty of stable flight.

Dust and Air Quality

Quarries are active industrial environments. Dust, moisture, and airborne debris can reduce visibility and impact equipment performance.

Confined Spaces

Unlike outdoor environments, underground operations involve tight access points, moving machinery, uneven terrain, cables, and very limited room for error.

Navigation Challenges

Underground tunnels can quickly become disorienting. Maintaining awareness of aircraft position while coordinating with ground crews is critical during every flight.

This is not the type of environment where you simply launch and improvise.

Every shot required planning, communication, and complete confidence in both the equipment and the crew.

The Equipment Behind the Flights

For this project, AIRWOLF used the DJI Inspire 3 as the primary aerial platform.

The Inspire 3 gave us the cinematic image quality and low-light performance needed to properly capture the scale and atmosphere of the underground marble quarry while still maintaining precise flight control in an extremely challenging environment.

Before production officially began, we conducted a dedicated scout day underground to evaluate how the aircraft would respond inside the quarry. During the scout, we intentionally flew the Inspire 3 without the X9 camera payload attached. This allowed us to safely test the aircraft’s behavior in a GPS-denied environment before introducing the full cinema package into the operation.

Successfully pulling off underground drone cinematography inside an active marble quarry required extensive planning, testing, and coordination between the flight crew and production team. The scout flights helped us evaluate signal reliability, aircraft stability, vision positioning performance, and overall flight confidence deep underground.

Once filming officially began, we mounted the full DJI X9 camera system and captured cinematic aerial shots throughout the quarry’s massive underground chambers. The Inspire 3 performed exceptionally well underground, especially considering the difficult lighting conditions and complete lack of satellite positioning.

The Crew Behind the Underground Experience

Projects like this only happen because of a strong crew willing to adapt to difficult environments and constantly changing conditions.

The Boot Barn Work production team brought together an incredible group of creatives and technicians who helped bring the story of the quarry to life. The project included Creative Director Alex Esparza, Producer Tyler Hampson, Cinematographer Max Aldrich, photographers Dana Pennington and Derrick Pham, stylist Madeline Hansen, BTS coverage by Danielle Bartley, audio by Jared Payzant and sculpture Sebastian Piazza. AIRWOLF handled aerial operations with Wolfgang Weber as pilot and Aerial DP Rob Watt.

One of the most impressive parts of the experience was watching the quarry workers themselves operate inside this environment every single day. Massive machinery moved through underground tunnels with incredible precision while normal quarry operations continued around an active film production.

The collaboration between the production crew and the quarry workers was essential. Underground environments leave very little room for mistakes, especially when coordinating heavy equipment, moving crews, limited lighting, and aerial operations all at the same time.

Everyone involved helped create something visually unique while maintaining a strong focus on safety and efficiency throughout the project.

SOME BEHIND THE SCENES

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  Taking in the scale of the quarry.

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  Planning the next shot underground.

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  The Inspire 3 ready for takeoff.

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  One of the many tunnels connecting the enormous underground chambers inside Danby Marble Quarry.

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  Exploring the marble processing area.

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  Reviewing the day's coverage.

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  Before heading underground.

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  Documenting life beneath the mountain.

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  Deep inside Danby Quarry.

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  Getting a closer look.

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  Capturing the moments between shots.

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  Few people understand marble quite like sculptor Sebastian Piazza. Standing deep inside Danby Quarry

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  Wolfgang Weber and Rob Watt inside Danby Marble Quarry nearly 2,000 feet underground

The Hard Work Behind the Marble Industry

One of the biggest takeaways from filming underground was gaining a deeper appreciation for the people who work there every day.

The crews inside Danby Quarry operate in one of the most demanding industrial environments imaginable. Safety, communication, and precision are critical at every stage of the operation.

Watching workers cut, move, and process enormous slabs of marble underground was incredible to witness firsthand.

There is a level of toughness and craftsmanship required for this type of work that deserves recognition. These are the people responsible for extracting materials that eventually become buildings, monuments, architecture, and infrastructure across the country. Capturing that story from the air added an entirely new perspective to the project.

Why Underground Drone Cinematography Matters

For AIRWOLF, projects like this are about more than cinematic visuals. They are about telling stories from places most people will never experience themselves.

Flying 2,000 feet underground inside a marble quarry pushes both technology and pilot skill to the limit, but it also creates imagery that feels impossible until you see it on screen.

The combination of industrial history, underground environments, skilled workers, and cinematic aerial movement made this one of the most unique drone operations we have ever been part of. And honestly, stepping into a mountain with an Inspire 3 and flying through a living, breathing underground quarry is something we will never forget.

CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR SHOTS

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/9cee46_b54524b23f9f41f4a93839ca4067fd5a/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Final Thoughts From Beneath the Mountain

The Danby Marble Quarry represents a hidden side of American industry that deserves attention. Beneath Vermont’s mountains, crews continue a tradition that has been operating for more than a century while supplying marble used around the world.

Being trusted to document that environment from the air was an incredible experience for AIRWOLF Drones and a reminder of how powerful aerial cinematography can be when paired with real human stories.

From navigating GPS-denied environments to flying through enormous underground chambers, this project challenged every part of the filmmaking process in the best possible way.

Sometimes, the most cinematic places on earth are the ones hidden deep underground.

CHECK OUT THE FINAL VIDEO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXFGmNNFzd4

Follow @airwolf_drones and @bootbarnwork for more behind-the-scenes content, exclusive footage, and future collaborations that continue to celebrate the real American grit behind the lens.

Support Our Work

If you enjoy the content we share and want to support what we do, you can browse gear we personally use and recommend here:Shop Drone + Camera Tools on Amazon Purchases made through this link help keep us flying — at no extra cost to you.

Listen to Getting Made

Want to hear more about what goes on behind the camera? Check out Getting Made, a filmmaking podcast exploring the people, stories, and experiences behind working in the film and television industry.

Work With Us

Whether you're producing a commercial, series, broadcast or branded shoot, we bring industry-level drone cinematography to every set.

• Contact Us – Start a conversation about your next project

• Drone Services – See what we offer

• Aircraft We Fly – Meet the tools we bring to set

• Our Work – Explore past projects

• Flight Log Blog – More behind-the-scenes stories and gear insights

Serving productions across Florida and nationwide — including Sarasota, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin.

Viltrox DL 90mm Lens for Aerial Cinematography: Why It’s Our Most Requested Lens

Why the Viltrox DL 90mm Lens for Aerial Cinematography Stands Out on Set

If you’ve been seeing our recent work, you’ve probably noticed a shift. Shots feel tighter, more cinematic, more intentional. That’s coming straight from the Viltrox DL 90mm lens for aerial cinematography.

This lens has quickly become one of the most requested pieces of gear we bring to set. Not just something we like, something clients are asking for by name.

And that doesn’t happen unless a lens is doing something right.

The Viltrox DL 90mm gives you that long-lens look from the air, something that immediately separates your footage from standard wide aerial shots.

Shot using Viltrox 90mm

What Makes the Viltrox DL 90mm So Unique?

Compression and Depth with the Viltrox DL 90mm

The first thing you notice with the Viltrox DL 90mm is compression.

At 90mm, backgrounds pull in, layers stack, and your subject pops in a way that wide lenses just can’t replicate. From the air, this is huge. It takes your footage from “drone shot” to something that feels like it belongs in a film.

We’ve used it across multiple campaigns and it consistently delivers:

• Clean subject separation

• Smooth background falloff

• A more intentional, cinematic frame

Why Clients Request the Viltrox DL 90mm Lens

This is where things get interesting.

The Viltrox DL 90mm has become a client-requested lens. Directors and agencies recognize the look and want it baked into their projects.

It stands out because:

• It removes the typical wide-angle drone feel

• It matches high-end ground camera footage

• It instantly elevates production value

That alone makes it one of the most valuable lenses we carry.

Engineering Behind the Viltrox DL 90mm

Optical Design of the Viltrox DL 90mm

The DL 90mm lens is built like a proper cinema lens, not adapted stills glass.

It uses a multi-element optical design that keeps the image sharp and consistent across the frame. Highlights stay controlled, contrast holds up, and you’re not dealing with weird edge softness.

It’s one of those lenses where you don’t fight the image, it just works.

Build Quality of the Viltrox DL 90mm

From a build standpoint, the Viltrox DL 90mm hits a sweet spot.

• Lightweight enough for aerial payloads

• Durable enough for real production work

• Designed specifically for DL mount systems

That balance matters more than people realize when you’re flying.

Why the Viltrox DL 90mm Lens Performs So Well in the Air

In the air, everything is amplified. Small movements, vibration, and micro-adjustments all show up in your footage.

The 90mm holds together really well in those conditions. It stays consistent, predictable, and clean, which is exactly what you need when you’re flying a longer focal length.

Real-World Use of the Viltrox DL 90mm Lens

How We Use the Viltrox DL 90mm on Set

The way we shoot changes completely when we’re running the Viltrox DL 90mm.

We’re not just grabbing wides, we’re:

• Tracking talent with real separation

• Capturing moments instead of just coverage

• Building layered compositions in-camera

It turns aerial work into actual storytelling.

Shot using Viltrox 90mm

The Limitations of the Viltrox DL 90mm

Now — being honest — the Viltrox DL 90mm lens does have a limitation.

You’re capped at F3.5. During the day, it’s a non-issue. But when you start getting into low light or night work, you’ll feel that restriction. That said, paired with the DJI X9 Air, it’s still very usable. That sensor handles higher ISO really well, we’ve pushed it when needed without it falling apart. Still, if I know I’m shooting strictly at night, I’m probably reaching for something faster. Such as the Dji 75mm 1.8, for now at least.

Why the Viltrox DL 90mm Lens Is a Must-Have

At this point, the Viltrox DL 90mm lens for aerial cinematography isn’t just another lens in the kit — it’s one of our go-to tools.

It consistently:

• Raises production value

• Delivers a cinematic look

• Gets requested by clients

And that last one is really what matters.

Final Thoughts on the Viltrox DL 90mm

The Viltrox DL 90mm lens has become a staple for us. Its changed how we approach shots, how we collaborate with production, DP's, and how our work is perceived overall. Is it perfect? No. But is it one of the most requested and most impactful lenses we bring to set? Without a doubt.

WANT TO FLY THE VILTROX 90MM ON YOUR NEXT SHOOT? BUY IT HERE!

Support Our Work

If you enjoy the content we share and want to support what we do, you can browse gear we personally use and recommend here:Shop Drone + Camera Tools on Amazon Purchases made through this link help keep us flying — at no extra cost to you.

Listen to Getting Made

Want to hear more about what goes on behind the camera? Check out Getting Made, a filmmaking podcast exploring the people, stories, and experiences behind working in the film and television industry.

Work With Us

Whether you're producing a commercial, series, broadcast or branded shoot, we bring industry-level drone cinematography to every set.

• Contact Us – Start a conversation about your next project

• Drone Services – See what we offer

• Aircraft We Fly – Meet the tools we bring to set

• Our Work – Explore past projects

• Flight Log Blog – More behind-the-scenes stories and gear insights

Serving productions across Florida and nationwide — including Sarasota, Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin.