Owner & Operator
"10+ years operating drones, including years as a military and civilian drone instructor delivering training programmes for organisations like Irish Rail and ESB Networks."
Niall is our chief pilot and has been flying drones for over 10 years, having started in 2015 with self-build FPV rigs. As the technology matured, he moved on to DJI platforms, which opened up more advanced commercial and professional work. That early grounding shapes how we fly at ARDAERIAL to this day: precise, deliberate, and comfortable operating in dynamic environments.
With a background in manned military aviation, Niall has over 3,000 flying hours on both airplanes and helicopters, and has worked as a military drone operator, instructor, and examiner since 2018. He attained his first IAA drone license in 2018 under the old SI 563/2015 regulations, and for several years worked as a civilian drone instructor with an IAA-approved training body, delivering full theoretical licence courses as well as practical flight training. He has also delivered bespoke training programmes for large Irish organisations including Irish Rail, ESB Networks, and John Paul Construction.
He now holds the new EASA/IAA Open A1/A3 and A2 licenses as well as a Specific Category authorisation, which enables higher-risk, more complex operations - closer to people, structures, and within controlled airspace. Drone operations can look simple from the outside, but getting them right - technically, legally, and safely - is another matter entirely. With regulations evolving constantly, staying ahead of them matters as much as the flying itself.
Our fleet is chosen deliberately: the right aircraft for each role, maintained to the highest standards, with the right camera systems for the job.
If you have a project in mind, or you're not sure yet what you need - get in touch. We'd love to talk through what's involved and advise on the best approach for you.