Today we’d like to introduce you to Rahman Ray Richardson.
Hi Rahman Ray, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
HiFly Aerial Drone Services wasn’t just built on business strategy — it was built on a commitment to perspective. The belief that seeing from different angles — whether in the sky or in life — adds depth, drives better decisions, and fosters real understanding. At HiFly, we don’t just fly drones — we highlight what often goes unseen, because diverse perspectives aren’t just important — they’re essential to clarity, connection, and impact.
From a young age, I was captivated by the sky — and by the technology that could connect us to it.
My Uncle Leonard used to take me and my cousins to the park to fly remote control airplanes. He’d hand us the controls like we were pilots-in-training, teaching us how to read the wind, stay calm, and fly with intention. It wasn’t just fun — it was foundational.
Then came the Apple IIc, a Christmas gift from Uncle Harold, who decided I was destined to be the family tech genius. I remember typing lines of BASIC code from a magazine, expecting magic — and getting syntax errors over and over, like the computer was yelling at me in robot. But I was hooked. I stuck with it, convinced I was building the next NASA mission control. In reality, I think I just made a box blink — but that blinking box felt like power.
And then there was my mom — a lifelong grade school teacher, full of fire, clarity, and love. She was never quiet about injustice. She stood up, spoke out, and corrected with a teacher’s discipline and a mother’s heart. She bought me my first camera, then kept upgrading it every year — not because I asked, but because she believed I had something worth sharing. “Show people what you see,” she said. That camera became my companion — especially during my military service. It helped me process the cultures I lived in, the people I met, and the world I was part of — whether on duty or wandering side streets overseas. Photography was how I communicated, processed, and shared the depth of those experiences with others.
Those early gifts — flight, code, and a lens — were more than hobbies. They were acts of love and belief. My family didn’t just give me tools — they gave my young mind permission to imagine, build, and tell stories in my own way.
Years later, those roots gave rise to HiFly Aerial Drone Services — a company built on perspective, purpose, and the belief that when we truly see the world, we serve it better.
That same passion for fresh perspectives is exactly why we built the HiFly P.H.O.E.N.I.X. Dashboard — our Precision Hub for Operational Exports & Navigation of Intelligent eXperiences. Phoenix is named after my son — a daily reminder that second chances and new ways of seeing things can change everything.
P.H.O.E.N.I.X. isn’t just a client portal — it’s a secure, next-generation platform where deliverables are dynamic, not static. Our clients get before-and-after sliders, orthomosaic models, construction progress fly-throughs, and AI overlays that turn raw drone data into actionable insights. Every tool we build inside P.H.O.E.N.I.X. helps clients see what others miss — empowering them to make safer, smarter decisions that protect budgets, improve safety, and boost ROI.
After serving 20 years in the U.S. Air Force — including under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell — I know what it means to navigate identity, silence, and service all at once. When the policy was repealed, it didn’t erase the layers overnight — it was a nuanced shift I had to live through. It taught me that visibility isn’t just about being seen — it’s about being understood.
After retiring and moving to Salt Lake City, I wasn’t just looking for a job — I was looking for connection. I wanted to find my tribe. To rebuild a sense of purpose by helping others, sharing lived experience, and growing alongside my community.
Today, HiFly delivers high-precision drone services for construction, insurance, and infrastructure — but the heart of our work is perspective. We bring clarity to complex environments and use technology to elevate stories that matter.
Now, we’re expanding that mission — launching youth STEM drone camps to inspire the next generation, and veteran training programs to help others like me transition with purpose and possibility.
HiFly is more than a drone company. It’s the continuation of a lifelong mission: to rise with skill, serve with heart, and help others do the same.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not even close—and honestly, I wouldn’t want it to be. Growth rarely comes from smooth roads.
Transitioning out of the military after 20 years of structure, purpose, and team was jarring. One day I was managing multi-million-dollar logistics operations with precision; the next, I was sitting alone trying to figure out how to register a domain name. That shift from structured systems to solo entrepreneurship was humbling.
There was also the internal transition—from serving under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell to navigating what it meant to be an openly gay African American veteran stepping into a leadership role in a tech-forward industry in Utah. Even after the policy changed, I had to unlearn years of silence and learn how to show up fully.
Starting HiFly Aerial wasn’t just about buying drones and booking jobs. It meant self-funding every piece of equipment, learning new software, rebuilding a network from scratch, and facing the reality of slow seasons and uncertainty. There were moments I questioned everything—my timing, my value, my vision.
But those challenges shaped the mission. They taught me resilience and reinforced why perspective is the heart of what we do. Because the tough angles, the hidden details, and the low points—they matter. They give meaning to the climb.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it’s been Real. And it’s given HiFly Aerial a foundation built not just on flight—but on grit, growth, and purpose.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
HiFly Aerial is a veteran-owned drone services company based in Salt Lake City’s Granary District. We specialize in precision aerial data solutions—including 3D mapping, thermal imaging, infrastructure inspections, insurance assessments, and construction progress tracking. Our clients range from real estate developers and roofers to contractors, utility managers, and public agencies.
What sets HiFly Aerial apart is more than just the tech—we lead with perspective. Our core values—Precision. Perspective. Professionalism.—are embedded into every flight, every deliverable, every interaction. We’re not just pushing pixels or selling footage; we’re helping people make clearer decisions, reduce risk, and tell their stories from a higher vantage point.
We’re known for blending precision discipline with creativity and empathy. Whether we’re using thermal cameras to detect structural heat loss or flying a complex 3D mission to support a legal dispute, we deliver more than data—we deliver clarity.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that HiFly Aerial reflects who I am and where I’ve come from. It’s rooted in service, resilience, and a belief that views from different perspectives helps us understand what’s happening by adding depth, clarity, and new ways to find connections in business, and in our personal lives. From our youth drone camps to our upcoming veteran pilot training programs, we’re not just offering services—we’re building pathways for others to rise.
For readers: If you’re a homeowner, contractor, agency, or entrepreneur who needs accurate, beautiful, or insightful aerial work—HiFly Aerial is your mission-driven partner. We bring vision to every project and help you see what matters.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Collaboration isn’t just welcome—it’s at the core of who we are. We believe in rising together. Whether it’s through shared projects, aligned missions, or community partnerships, we’re here to grow with others—not just alongside them.
Here’s how you can get involved:
Work with us on a mission – From construction documentation and 3D mapping to roof inspections and aerial marketing, we bring precision and perspective to every job. Reach out at info@hiflyaerialdroneservice.com or visit www.hiflyaerialdroneservice.com to book or collaborate.
Partner to create impact – We’re actively seeking educators, nonprofits, veteran networks, and small businesses to co-create programs and opportunities. Our drone STEM workshops and veteran training programs are designed to build pathways for others, and we welcome partners who want to shape the future with us.
Sponsor or support – You can support our youth and veteran programs through gear donations, scholarships, or event sponsorships. Every dollar helps us empower the next generation of drone pilots, technologists, and storytellers.
Refer us – Introductions matter. If you know contractors, city planners, roofers, or real estate professionals who need aerial insight—we’d love to connect. Referrals fuel our growth and deepen our roots in the community.
Engage with us online – Follow @HiFlyAerial on Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Every share, comment, and repost helps expand our reach and uplift the work we’re doing together.
We’re proud of what we’ve built—but we know we’re stronger together. At the end of the day, we’re more than drones. We’re a mission-driven platform for people, technology, and transformation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.hiflyaerialdroneservice.com
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiflyaerialdroneservices/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@HiFLY_Perspective
