About CR Aerial Services
Perspective from the Clouds to the Coast.
Based in the heart of Maine, CR Aerial Services LLC was born from a shared passion for cutting-edge technology and a drive to provide professional-grade data solutions where others can’t reach. We aren't just hobbyists with drones; we are a specialized team dedicated to precision, safety, and delivering actionable insights from the sky to the seafloor.
We believe that the best data comes from a perfect marriage of technical flight operations and creative interpretation. That’s why we built our business as a partnership that covers every angle of the mission.
Chris Rideout | Lead Pilot & Operations
Chris is the technical engine behind our flight and dive operations. With an extensive background in Diesel and Automotive Mechanics, Carpentry, and Electrical systems, Chris doesn’t just see a structure through a lens—he understands its "bones." This lifelong mechanical foundation provides him with a level of spatial awareness and technical insight that only a builder and mechanic can offer, creating a "mechanical law for flying" that is invaluable in complex industrial environments.
As an FAA Part 107 Certified Remote Pilot, Chris handles the complexities of our enterprise fleet, including the DJI Matrice 4T and our deep-water ROV systems. Whether navigating a 10-degree Maine winter or a high-stakes industrial site, he operates with military-grade precision and a relentless focus on mission safety and airspace compliance. Dedicated to technical accuracy and high-stakes recovery, Chris is the expert at the controls for every mission—whether it’s in the air or under the waves.
Katie Rideout | Creative Director & Strategy
Katie is the clinical precision behind CR Aerial Services. With a career built on Safety Management and a focus on Occupational Health & Safety, she ensures that every mission is executed with the highest standards of risk assessment and compliance. Her background in managing facility safety protocols and OSHA standards means that at CR Aerial Services, "Safety First" isn't just a slogan—it’s the core of our flight operations. Katie oversees all mission planning, ensuring that every deployment is as safe as it is successful.
Beyond the flight line, Katie is the visionary who turns complex raw data into a compelling story. She leads our Creative Imagery, Advertising, and Post-Processing, bridging the gap between technical capture and actionable results. Whether she is managing our Mobile Command Center on-site or overseeing the final delivery of an orthomosaic, thermal map, or cinematic reel, Katie ensures that the client's vision is the priority. Her dual expertise in safety and imagery ensures that your data is not just "captured," but delivered with the technical accuracy and visual clarity needed to drive real-world decisions.
Why Work With Us?
Enterprise-Grade Technology: We utilize the DJI Matrice 4T and 1,000-ft rated ROVs to provide data that consumer-grade equipment simply can't touch.
The Mobile Command Center: We bring the office to the field. Our setup allows for real-time telemetry monitoring and a Live View experience for our clients on-site.
Maine-Tested Reliability: We live and work in New England. We know how to operate in the rugged, unpredictable elements that our coastal and industrial clients face every day.
Family-Owned & Safety-Focused: As a husband-and-wife team, our reputation is built on every flight. We prioritize safety and data integrity above all else.
Let’s Get to Work.
Whether you need a thermal audit of a solar farm, a deep-water hull inspection, or a cinematic showcase of a coastal property, we have the tools and the team to get it done.