The Tactical Drone Pilot: Field Guide for Real-World Operations By John Lubeck Whether you're flying overwatch for a SWAT operation, mapping storm damage for a client, or tracking a missing person at 2AM with thermal imaging, this isn’t your average drone manual. The Tactical Drone Pilot is a straight-talking, boots-on-the-ground field guide written for public safety professionals, commercial pilots, and serious operators who treat drones as more than just flying cameras. Drawing on real-world experience, this book delivers mission-tested strategies for planning, communication, gear prep, emergency response, overwatch, SAR, scene management, and more. You won’t find fluffy drone marketing jargon here, just hard-earned knowledge tailored for today’s unpredictable environments. Learn how to build a UAS program, handle high-stress flights, work with multiple agencies, and stay sharp when every decision counts. Whether you’re flying for a department or operating solo as a certified Part 107 pilot, this guide will help you fly smarter, safer, and more tactically, because your drone is the tool, not the mission.