Terms of Service

Last Updated: August 7, 2026

These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your use of the Hard Deck UAS website and, where applicable, services provided by Hard Deck UAS (“Hard Deck UAS,” “we,” “us,” or “our”).

By accessing this website, requesting services, submitting information through our website, or entering into an agreement for services with Hard Deck UAS, you agree to these Terms.

Specific projects may also be governed by a separate proposal, statement of work, service agreement, quote, or contract. If a separate written agreement conflicts with these Terms, the terms of the applicable written agreement will generally control with respect to that project.

1. Services

Hard Deck UAS provides commercial unmanned aircraft system (“UAS” or “drone”) services that may include aerial photography, mapping, inspections, photogrammetry, data collection, 3D modeling, digital elevation products, volumetric calculations, construction documentation, and related services.

The exact services and deliverables for each project will be described in the applicable proposal, quote, statement of work, or service agreement.

2. Regulatory Compliance

Hard Deck UAS performs commercial UAS operations in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local requirements.

Flights may be conducted by FAA Part 107 qualified remote pilots where required.

All proposed flights are subject to operational and regulatory feasibility.

Hard Deck UAS reserves the right to modify, postpone, relocate, or cancel an operation when necessary due to:

  • FAA restrictions

  • Controlled airspace requirements

  • Temporary flight restrictions

  • Unsafe weather

  • Site hazards

  • Equipment limitations

  • Property access restrictions

  • Regulatory requirements

  • Safety concerns

  • Other circumstances that could make flight operations unsafe or unlawful

Safety and regulatory compliance take priority over project deadlines.

3. Client Responsibilities

Clients are responsible for providing accurate information necessary to evaluate and perform the requested services.

This may include:

  • Correct project location

  • Site boundaries

  • Property ownership or access information

  • Known hazards

  • Site-specific safety requirements

  • Required permissions

  • Desired deliverables

  • Project specifications

  • Accuracy requirements

  • Applicable deadlines

Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the client is responsible for obtaining permission for Hard Deck UAS personnel to access private property or restricted project areas necessary to perform the services.

4. Quotes and Project Scope

Project quotes are based on the information available at the time they are prepared.

Changes to project size, location, deliverables, flight requirements, processing requirements, timelines, access conditions, accuracy requirements, or other specifications may result in additional charges.

Work outside the agreed project scope may require written authorization and additional fees.

5. Scheduling and Weather

UAS operations depend heavily on suitable environmental and operational conditions.

Hard Deck UAS does not guarantee that flights will occur on a particular date when weather, airspace restrictions, safety concerns, site conditions, regulatory limitations, or other circumstances prevent safe operations.

When appropriate, Hard Deck UAS will make reasonable efforts to reschedule affected operations.

6. Airspace Authorization

Certain locations may require authorization from the Federal Aviation Administration or another regulatory authority before operations can occur.

Hard Deck UAS cannot guarantee approval of any required authorization or waiver.

Project timelines may be adjusted when regulatory authorization is required.

7. Data Accuracy

Hard Deck UAS strives to produce accurate, professional-quality data using appropriate equipment and processing methodologies.

However, accuracy may be affected by factors including:

  • GPS conditions

  • Flight altitude

  • Equipment limitations

  • Ground control

  • Terrain

  • Vegetation

  • Weather

  • Visibility

  • Surface characteristics

  • Image quality

  • Site accessibility

  • Processing methodology

Accuracy requirements should be communicated before project execution.

8. Surveying, Engineering, and Professional Services Disclaimer

Unless specifically stated in a written agreement and performed in conjunction with an appropriately licensed professional, Hard Deck UAS does not represent that its UAV deliverables constitute a legally certified land survey, engineering certification, structural inspection, or other professional service requiring state licensure.

Maps, models, measurements, aerial imagery, and related UAV deliverables are intended to support planning, documentation, inspection, construction, engineering, mining, industrial operations, or other client activities.

Clients are responsible for determining whether a licensed surveyor, engineer, inspector, or other professional is required for their intended use.

9. Volumetric Calculations

Stockpile and material volume calculations produced using UAV data are estimates based on the data collected and processing methodology used.

Actual quantities may vary.

Unless otherwise stated in writing, volumetric calculations should not be treated as guaranteed inventory measurements, financial certifications, or legally certified survey quantities.

10. Deliverables

Deliverables will be provided in the format described in the applicable project agreement.

Deliverables may include:

  • Aerial photographs

  • Orthomosaic maps

  • 3D models

  • Point clouds

  • Digital elevation models

  • Digital surface models

  • Volumetric reports

  • Inspection imagery

  • Construction documentation

  • Video

  • Other digital files

Clients should notify Hard Deck UAS promptly if they believe deliverables do not conform to the agreed project scope.

11. Raw Data

Raw flight data, imagery, processing files, project files, or other underlying materials are not automatically included unless specifically identified as project deliverables.

Hard Deck UAS may retain project data according to its internal data retention practices but does not guarantee indefinite storage unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Clients are responsible for securely storing copies of final deliverables.

12. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise provided in a separate written agreement, Hard Deck UAS retains ownership of its processes, methods, templates, workflows, software configurations, and other pre-existing intellectual property.

Upon full payment, clients may use final project deliverables for their legitimate business purposes according to the applicable project agreement.

13. Portfolio and Marketing Use

Unless prohibited by a written confidentiality agreement or project-specific restriction, Hard Deck UAS may request permission to use selected non-confidential aerial imagery or project examples for marketing, portfolio, training, or demonstration purposes.

Hard Deck UAS will not intentionally disclose confidential client information through such use.

Where a client specifically requests confidentiality, the applicable written agreement will govern.

14. Payment

Payment terms will be described in the applicable proposal, invoice, quote, or service agreement.

Clients are responsible for paying all amounts when due.

Hard Deck UAS may suspend delivery of project files or future services when invoices remain unpaid.

15. Cancellation

Cancellation and rescheduling terms may vary based on project requirements.

Hard Deck UAS reserves the right to charge reasonable fees for cancellations occurring after significant planning, travel, permitting, mobilization, or other project expenses have been incurred.

Specific cancellation terms may be included in the applicable project agreement.

16. Website Use

You agree not to misuse the Hard Deck UAS website.

You may not:

  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the website or its systems

  • Introduce malicious software or harmful code

  • Interfere with website operation

  • Attempt to extract website data through unauthorized automated methods

  • Use website content unlawfully

  • Misrepresent your identity when submitting information

17. Website Information

Information provided on the Hard Deck UAS website is intended for general informational purposes.

Website content should not be interpreted as engineering, surveying, aviation, legal, financial, or other professional advice.

Project-specific requirements must be evaluated individually.

18. Third-Party Services

Our website or project workflows may use or link to third-party platforms, software, mapping systems, cloud storage services, analytics providers, or other technologies.

Hard Deck UAS is not responsible for the availability, security, policies, or performance of third-party platforms outside our control.

19. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Hard Deck UAS will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, exemplary, or punitive damages arising from the use of our website or services.

Where permitted by law, Hard Deck UAS's total liability related to a specific project will not exceed the amount paid to Hard Deck UAS for the services giving rise to the claim, unless otherwise stated in a written agreement.

Some jurisdictions do not permit certain limitations of liability, so portions of this section may not apply in every circumstance.

20. No Guarantee of Business Outcomes

Hard Deck UAS provides UAV data and related services but does not guarantee that the use of those services will produce a particular financial, operational, engineering, construction, regulatory, or business outcome.

Clients remain responsible for decisions made based on project data and deliverables.

21. Indemnification

To the extent permitted by law, you agree to indemnify and hold harmless Hard Deck UAS and its owners, employees, contractors, pilots, and representatives from claims, damages, liabilities, or expenses arising from your misuse of our services, violation of these Terms, inaccurate project information, or failure to obtain necessary property permissions.

22. Privacy

Information submitted through the Hard Deck UAS website may be processed according to our applicable privacy and cookie policies.

23. Changes to These Terms

Hard Deck UAS may update these Terms periodically.

Changes become effective when the revised Terms are published on our website unless otherwise required by law.

The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page identifies the most recent revision.

24. Governing Law

These Terms will be governed by the laws of the state in which Hard Deck UAS is legally organized, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, unless a separate written agreement provides otherwise.

25. Contact

Questions regarding these Terms or Hard Deck UAS services may be submitted through the contact information provided on the Hard Deck UAS website.