New drone pilots are flocking to gig platforms, hoping for good pay—only to find themselves doing complex, expensive work for pennies. With big promises and “premium pilot” badges, these platforms skim the profits while pilots shoulder the costs and risks. This article exposes the real math behind drone gigs, the hidden traps for pilots, and why cheap drone work hurts everyone—from individual flyers to industry clients.

Picture this: you're a city engineer tasked with mapping 500 miles of aging infrastructure, or you're an A/E firm needing...