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Aidan Kelly

Drone Cinematographer & VFX Pilot

Heavy-Lift | Inspire 3 | FPV | VFX Scanning | 14+ Years | 7 Continents | Hollywood Features

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Aidan Kelly, drone cinematographer and FPV pilot based in Melbourne, Australia

The sky was never the limit.

Before drones, I was a national champion swimmer. That competitive drive never left — it just found a new outlet. I co-founded XM2 with two mates: three guys with a dream and a vision, starting from humble beginnings and building it into a 7-figure global aerial cinematography operation. Over 14 years I have flown on every continent, delivered shots most pilots would not attempt, and built a reputation as one of the most trusted drone operators in the film industry.

Whether it is a chase sequence through a European city, an aerial reveal over Antarctic ice, or an FPV shot threading through a live film set, I bring calm precision to high-pressure situations. Today I am moving into the next chapter — raising my kids, flying freelance on the biggest productions, and building Drone Pro Hub, an education platform helping the next generation of professional pilots.

Full Story & Timeline
14+
Years Experience
7
Continents Filmed
50+
Major Productions

Selected Credits

Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning

Mission: Impossible

Dead Reckoning
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker

Star Wars

The Rise of Skywalker
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Thor Ragnarok

Thor: Ragnarok

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on James Bond No Time to Die

No Time to Die

James Bond
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Aquaman

Aquaman

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Aquaman

The Lost Kingdom
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Fast and Furious 9

F9: The Fast Saga

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Dead Men Tell No Tales
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on The Fall Guy

The Fall Guy

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on The Gorge

The Gorge

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Ahsoka

Ahsoka

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Andor

Andor

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Thirteen Lives

Thirteen Lives

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Shantaram

Shantaram

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on For All Mankind

For All Mankind

Apple TV+
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Betterman

Betterman

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Foe

Foe

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Ride Like a Girl

Ride Like a Girl

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Savage River

Savage River

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on The Wilds

The Wilds

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Together

Together

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Mission: Impossible Dead Reckoning

Mission: Impossible

Dead Reckoning
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Star Wars The Rise of Skywalker

Star Wars

The Rise of Skywalker
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Thor Ragnarok

Thor: Ragnarok

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on James Bond No Time to Die

No Time to Die

James Bond
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Aquaman

Aquaman

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

Aquaman

The Lost Kingdom
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Fast and Furious 9

F9: The Fast Saga

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Dead Men Tell No Tales
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on The Mandalorian

The Mandalorian

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on The Fall Guy

The Fall Guy

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on The Gorge

The Gorge

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Ahsoka

Ahsoka

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Andor

Andor

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Thirteen Lives

Thirteen Lives

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Shantaram

Shantaram

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on For All Mankind

For All Mankind

Apple TV+
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple Cider Vinegar

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Betterman

Betterman

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Foe

Foe

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Ride Like a Girl

Ride Like a Girl

Feature Film
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Savage River

Savage River

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on The Wilds

The Wilds

Series
Aidan Kelly drone cinematographer on Together

Together

Feature Film

Available for your next production, anywhere in the world.

Get in Touch
Aidan is one of the most skilled and reliable drone operators I have worked with. His ability to deliver under pressure, in challenging environments, is second to none.
Dan Mindel, ASC BSC
Director of Photography

The Fastest Drone on Earth

Aidan Kelly holding the Guinness World Record speed drone - 661 km/h
661 km/h
411 mph
Guinness World Record Holder

What started as a side project with aerospace engineer Ben Biggs became the fastest battery-powered drone ever recorded. Built from 3D-printed parts and off-the-shelf components, developed and piloted by Aidan Kelly and Ben Biggs. The record still stands.

The same engineering DNA that produced the world record drone runs through XM2, the aerial cinematography and manufacturing company Aidan co-founded, and XM2 Earth, which designs and manufactures persistent tethered drone platforms for defence, mining, and energy sectors.

661
km/h average
696
km/h peak
100%
Battery powered

Building Worlds Before Post

Beyond cinematography, I specialise in VFX scanning and 3D environment capture for some of the biggest productions in the world. Aerial photogrammetry, ground photogrammetry, drone LiDAR, ground LiDAR. If a VFX house needs it scanned, I have done it.

I have worked directly with studios like Lucasfilm scanning full environments, vehicles, and sets for digital reconstruction. This is precision work where the scan data feeds directly into the VFX pipeline, and getting it right on the day saves productions millions in post.

VFX Scanning Credits Include
Star Wars James Bond Fast & Furious 9 Lucasfilm Aquaman The Mandalorian Thirteen Lives The Fall Guy
Aerial Photogrammetry Drone-based 3D capture of environments, terrain, and structures
Ground Photogrammetry High-resolution scanning of sets, vehicles, props, and actors
Drone LiDAR Aerial laser scanning for precise topographic and structural data
Ground LiDAR Terrestrial laser scanning for interior spaces and detailed surfaces

All scan data delivered production-ready for integration with major VFX pipelines. Experienced working directly with VFX supervisors and on-set data wranglers.

Building What Comes Next

Drone Pro Hub

Learn, Build, Fly

A drone education and community platform for pilots who want to go professional. Courses, tutorials, and real-world knowledge from someone who has done the work.

Visit Drone Pro Hub

XM2

Aerial Cinematography & Manufacturing

Co-founded and scaled to a 7-figure global aerial cinematography and drone manufacturing operation. Major Hollywood and international film, television, and commercial productions.

Co-founder & Australian Director

XM2 Earth

ASX-Listed | Persistent Aerial Platforms

Tethered drone systems for defence, mining, energy, and security applications. Designs and manufactures persistent aerial platforms capable of staying airborne for up to two weeks. ASX-listed (ASX: XEA).

Co-founder & Australian Director

Beyond the Lens

Investing

Crypto, stocks, and property. A hobby I enjoy sharing with others.

Sim Racing

iRacing, full rig. The competitive streak never left. Just moved indoors.

Mountain Biking

Focus SAM Squared. Gravity riding. Need to get out more.

AI & Automation

Building smarter workflows. Always experimenting.

Let's Work Together

Looking for a drone cinematographer for your next production? Whether it is a feature film, television series, commercial, or something entirely different, I would love to hear about your project.

Based in Melbourne, Australia. Available worldwide.

Aidan Kelly

Drone Pro Hub