How DroneMex works.
The full flow: registration, posting, escrow, delivery, payouts, and dispute resolution. Built so clients and pilots know what to expect at every step.
Client
- 01
Create your free account
Sign up with email or Google. 30-day trial, no card required. After that, a monthly subscription lets you post unlimited missions.
- 02
Post your mission
Describe the service (photography, video, LiDAR mapping, thermal inspection, agriculture). Pin the location on the map, set a date, and a budget (minimum $1,000 MXN).
- 03
Receive proposals
Verified pilots in your area see the mission, check your tech requirements, and apply. You compare profiles, ratings, and portfolios.
- 04
Fund escrow
When you pick a pilot, fund the amount via Stripe (card or SPEI). The money is held — the pilot does NOT receive it until you approve the deliverable.
- 05
Approve and release
The pilot uploads the files. You review, approve (or request revisions). On approval, Stripe releases the payment to the pilot minus a 10% commission.
Pilot
- 01
Register as a pilot
Create an account with the Pilot role. Fill your profile: equipment, specialties, location, service radius. Upload your AFAC license if you have one — boosts visibility.
- 02
Connect Stripe Connect
Stripe-hosted KYC onboarding (~10 min): RFC, INE/passport, date of birth, CLABE bank account. Stripe validates; only then can you receive transfers.
- 03
Explore missions
Find missions near you that match your equipment. Filter by type, distance, budget. Funded (escrow) missions get priority.
- 04
First to apply wins
First-come-first-served model: the first verified pilot who applies takes the mission. Response speed matters.
- 05
Deliver and get paid
Check in on site (500m geofence), fly the mission, upload deliverables. Client approves → Stripe transfers the net to your account in 2–5 business days.
How the money moves
Every peso passes through Stripe. No one at DroneMex touches the money. That protects clients against incomplete delivery and pilots against non-payment.
When you accept a pilot, the client pays with card or SPEI (Stripe). Card confirms in ~1 minute; SPEI bank transfer in ~30 minutes.
Stripe holds the amount in a platform balance. The mission goes "In Progress". Neither client nor pilot can withdraw funds in this state.
Pilot checks in on site (500m geofence), flies, uploads final files. The mission moves to "In Review" and the client gets an email.
The client has 72 hours to approve or request revisions. If they don't respond, funds auto-release to the pilot. This prevents ghosting.
Approval (or 72h timeout) → Stripe transfers the amount to the pilot's Connect account, minus a 10% platform commission.
Stripe deposits into your CLABE in 2–5 business days. Track status in Dashboard → Payouts. CFDI issued by DroneMex on the commission only.
Fee breakdown
- •Platform commission: 10% of the mission amount, deducted from the pilot's payout.
- •IVA 16% on the platform commission (DroneMex issues CFDI).
- •Stripe processing: ~3.6% + $3 MXN per transaction (covered by the platform, not the pilot).
- •No hidden fees on the pilot side — net always equals budget × 0.90.
Cancellation and refunds
Graduated policy based on mission state and proximity to start. Terms §11.3 is the official source; this is the summary.
| State at cancel | Client refund | Pilot compensation | Platform commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| OPEN (no pilot accepted) | 100% | 0% | 0% |
| ACCEPTED · >72h to start | 80% | 10% | 10% |
| ACCEPTED · 24–72h to start | 70% | 20% | 10% |
| ACCEPTED · <24h or started | 50% | 40% | 10% |
| IN_PROGRESS / IN_REVIEW / COMPLETED | 0% | — | — |
Refunds processed automatically via Stripe; they appear on the original payment method in 5–10 business days. Complex disputes are resolved manually — open a case from the mission.
AFAC drone regulation in Mexico
AFAC (Federal Civil Aviation Agency) regulates RPAS under NOM-107-SCT3. Pilots on DroneMex must meet the following for commercial use.
Any drone heavier than 250 grams must be registered with AFAC. The pilot must carry proof of registration during every flight.
For commercial operation, the pilot needs a current AFAC license and liability insurance. DroneMex validates both during onboarding.
Maximum 122 meters (400 ft) AGL. Forbidden within 9.2 km of airports, military areas, and presidential zones.
Commercial BVLOS requires a special AFAC permit and is not generally available. Missions requiring it need individual authorization.
When things go wrong
Escrow funds protect both sides. DroneMex acts as a technical facilitator — it verifies the agreed-upon milestones and issues the payment or refund instruction. It is not a legal arbiter (Terms §12.1).
- 1
Request revisions first
Before opening a formal dispute, use the "Request Revisions" button — the mission goes back to In Progress and the pilot uploads corrected files.
- 2
Open a formal dispute
If revisions don't resolve it, open a dispute from the mission. The mission moves to DISPUTED state and escrow funds are frozen.
- 3
48 business-hour window
Client and pilot have 48 business hours to submit evidence: original technical brief, deliverables, chat communication. DroneMex verifies the agreed technical milestones — it does not judge subjective aspects.
- 4
Payment instruction
Based on the evidence, DroneMex issues the corresponding instruction (PAID to pilot, refund to client, or partial release). Its responsibility ends when this instruction is issued (Terms §12.2).
Key tips
Client: describe the deliverables precisely (format, resolution, number of shots). Reduces revisions later.
Client: use the chat to clarify before accepting — technical questions resolve 90% of potential disputes.
Pilot: respond within 2 hours. Speed wins missions in the FCFS model.
Pilot: keep your equipment up to date in your profile. Missions with specific requirements only appear if your gear matches.
Both: never move payment off-platform. No escrow = no protection, no mediation.
Pilot: get verified and upload your AFAC license. High-value missions only show to verified pilots.
FAQ
What's the minimum amount to post a mission?+
$1,000 MXN. The client pays the full budget plus IVA on the platform commission.
How long until I get paid as a pilot?+
Client approval (or auto-approval 72h after delivery) → Stripe transfers to your Connect account in minutes → Stripe pays your Mexican bank in 2–5 business days.
Can I cancel a mission after paying?+
Yes, per the refund policy: 100% if the mission is OPEN (no pilot accepted), gradient 80/70/50% if ACCEPTED. 0% if already IN_PROGRESS.
What if the pilot doesn't deliver on time?+
You can request revisions or open a dispute. Funds remain in escrow. If the dispute is resolved in your favor, you get the corresponding refund.
Do I need an AFAC license to register as a pilot?+
You can register without AFAC, but commercial missions require a valid license and insurance. Without AFAC you only see missions tagged as hobby/training.
Does DroneMex issue an invoice (CFDI)?+
Yes, on the platform commission (10%). The pilot issues their own invoice for the net received, under their own RFC and fiscal regime (RIF, RESICO, etc.).
Ready to get started?
Create your free account. Client or pilot — sign-up takes less than 3 minutes.