Matthew Giovinetti

About:

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

FAA Part 107–certified drone pilot with over 15 years of flight experience and more than 300 hours of global flight time. Served as aerial cinematographer for Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on Food Network for nearly a decade and Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations on Travel Channel for four years, operating in remote, high-pressure environments and challenging terrain. Highly skilled in manual and autonomous flight, mission planning, regulatory compliance, and high-quality aerial image capture across multiple drone platforms. Experienced leading teams of varying sizes, managing long production days and extensive travel, and performing reliably under demanding conditions where precision, accountability, and trust are critical. Known for strong professionalism, ethical client representation, and a disciplined, safety-first approach to every operation.

CORE COMPETENCIES
• VLOS & Manual Flight Operations with strict FAA compliance
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot (Certificate #3942272)
• Mission Planning & Airspace Authorization (LAANC / FAA DroneZone)
• Site Assessment, Risk Mitigation & Safety Planning
• TFR Interpretation, Weather Analysis & Operational Decision-Making
• Flight Planning, Route Optimization & Operational Layout
• Aerial Imaging & Camera Control across varied environments
• Drone Maintenance, Troubleshooting & Fleet Readiness
• Pre- / Post-Flight Inspection, Calibration & Documentation
• Regulatory Knowledge: FAA rules, NOTAMs, METARs, Remote ID
• Field Leadership & Team Coordination
• High-Pressure Mission Execution
• Professional Client & Stakeholder Representation
Quality Assurance & Visual Standards Control

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director of Photography & Commercial Drone Pilot — Food Network
Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives & Network Specials | 2016–Present

Serve as Director of Photography and Commercial Drone Pilot for the long-running Food Network series Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and other high-profile network specials. Responsible for planning and executing aerial operations across more than 130 cities throughout the U.S., operating in varied terrain and complex environments ranging from dense urban areas to remote rural locations. Consistently deliver high-quality aerial imagery while maintaining strict regulatory compliance, safety discipline, and operational reliability. Known for dependability, adaptability, and the ability to perform under pressure while meeting demanding production schedules and client expectations.

Director of Photography & Commercial Drone Pilot — Travel Channel
Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations | 2017–2021

Provided aerial cinematography and flight operations support for the Travel Channel series Bizarre Foods: Delicious Destinations with Andrew Zimmern. Conducted drone operations across more than 30 domestic and international locations, capturing aerial imagery in diverse settings and conditions. Demonstrated strong operational judgment, flexibility, and consistency while supporting complex travel-based productions with tight timelines and evolving logistical constraints.

FLIGHT OPERATIONS & SAFETY LEADERSHIP
• Serve as RPIC or Co-Pilot depending on mission requirements, maintaining command authority and situational awareness throughout operations
• Lead pre-mission planning including site surveys, operational layout, contingency planning, and emergency procedures
• Ensure full regulatory compliance including Part 107, Remote ID, airspace authorizations, night operations, and over-people considerations when applicable
• Conduct comprehensive safety briefings and risk reviews with crew, clients, and local stakeholders
• Make go / no-go decisions based on weather, airspace, system health, and operational risk
• Maintain clear communication and coordination during flight operations to ensure safe execution

DRONE EQUIPMENT & EXPERTISE
Primary multi-rotor platforms operated include DJI S100, DJI Phantom 3 & 4, DJI Mavic 2 & 3, DJI Mini 2 & 3 series, and a custom-built FPV quadcopter configured for precision cinematic flight. Also have flown fixed-wing and rotary-wing sUAS systems regularly for over 20 years.

CERTIFICATIONS
• FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License
• Drone Liability Insurance Coverage (SkyWatch)

PROFESSIONAL ATTRIBUTES
• Strong hand-eye coordination and spatial awareness
• Physical stamina and readiness for extended field operations
• High attention to detail with a safety-first mindset
• Clear verbal and written communication skills
• Continuous learner with current knowledge of UAS technology and best practices

Equipment:

DJI Mini 4 Pro

Manufacturer: DJI

Service Area:

Video Gallery:

Photo Gallery: