Summit Aerial Services grows commercial drone business in the Bay Area

By AI, Created 5:04 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Summit Aerial Services, founded by Chris Jew, has expanded from a career change out of IT into a drone services business focused on commercial video and property imaging across the San Francisco Bay Area. Jew says the shift gave him more flexibility and helped the company reach a best month of more than $51,000 as he looks to grow in real estate and architectural photography.

Why it matters: - Summit Aerial Services shows how a career switch into drones can turn into a viable small business in a competitive market. - The company’s growth matters for Bay Area clients that need commercial video, real estate photography and architectural imaging. - Jew says the move also created more flexibility for family responsibilities, which he describes as a key benefit of leaving IT consulting.

What happened: - Chris Jew founded Summit Aerial Services in 2019 after attending Drone Command Live and joining Sky Eye Network. - Jew moved from IT consulting into drones after running a successful IT business that he says brought long hours and stress. - Summit Aerial Services operates across the San Francisco Bay Area. - The company focuses on commercial video, real estate photography and architectural photography.

The details: - Summit Aerial Services has reached a best month of $51,508.05, driven mainly by commercial video projects. - Jew said the IT work created constant concern about customer data, security breaches and legal risk. - Jew said the drone business has made life “much more peaceful.” - Jew said the flexibility of the business allowed him to step away when needed to care for loved ones. - A company link is available for more information. - The release identifies Jew as a graduate of Drone Command Live trained by The Drone Boss and a member of Sky Eye Network.

Between the lines: - Jew’s story fits a broader pattern in which technical training and community support lower the barrier to starting a specialized service business. - The focus on commercial video first, with real estate and architectural photography next, suggests Summit Aerial Services is widening its revenue mix. - Jew’s comments also frame the business as a lifestyle change, not just a financial one.

What’s next: - Jew plans to expand further into real estate and architectural photography. - Summit Aerial Services is likely to keep building around aerial work tied to property marketing and commercial production. - Jew says other entrepreneurs should use the steps in the Sky Eye Network portal, avoid comparison and stay generous.

The bottom line: - Summit Aerial Services has turned a 2019 career pivot into a growing drone business, with its strongest traction coming from commercial video work and room to expand into property photography.