About Us
Aerialworx is a proudly independent drone team founded by Dr. Stefanie Williams, a hands-on pilot who built the company from the ground up with one clear aim – to bring world-class aerial cinematography to film and television productions across the UK.
With a background in manned aviation, a career as a software engineer, and a lifelong passion for flying – first taught by her father and grandfather, both keen radio-control pilots – Stef brings a rare blend of technical knowledge, creativity, and practical flying skill to every project. After more than 15 years in film production and over 750 (she stopped counting!) completed shoots, Stef and her team have become a trusted name within the industry.
What began as a small passion project has now grown into a carefully curated fleet of 80+ drones, supported by two full-time team members who share the same enthusiasm for great filmmaking and dependable, beautifully executed aerial work.
Stef is also a strong ambassador for the industry, regularly attending industry events, open days, and training sessions. She is often invited as a guest motivational speaker, sharing her journey, expertise, and passion for aviation, engineering, and creative problem-solving with audiences across the UK.
Stef
I’ve spent my life around things that fly. Some of my earliest memories are of standing beside my grandfather, watching him fly the model aircraft he built by hand in his small shed. As I grew older, my father took that spark and nurtured it, teaching me to fly and encouraging me to compete. Before long, weekends were spent travelling the country to radio-control shows — from Woodvale near Blackpool to Weston Park by Telford — experiences that left a lasting impression and shaped how I see aviation today.
Alongside flying, I developed a deep fascination with computers, which led me into a career as a software engineer working with some of the world’s largest blue-chip companies. Aviation was never far from my mind, though, and in my twenties I began flying manned aircraft, starting with a Robin and later a Cessna 172. One of my most treasured memories from that time is carrying out touch-and-go landings on the runway at the Kennedy Space Center — a moment that perfectly captured the joy and privilege of flight.
Today, I find real fulfilment in teaching others to fly. To me, aviation is an equal balance of skill, patience and joy, and that early sense of wonder has never left me. It naturally drew me to a career that blends software engineering, aviation, and eventually film and television — a combination that ultimately shaped both who I am and the company I went on to build.
Aerialworx began as a simple idea: to deliver beautiful, dependable aerial cinematography for productions across the UK. What started as a one-person operation has grown into a trusted team and a fleet of exceptional drones, many of which we design and build in-house through Aerialworx Innovations. I remain very hands-on — flying, engineering, problem-solving and staying closely involved in both the creative and technical aspects of every project.
I’ve always believed that caring about a craft also means advocating for it. That’s why I regularly attend and host industry events, speak at open days, and accept invitations as a guest motivational speaker. Sharing my journey — the successes, the mistakes and the lessons learned along the way — feels like a meaningful way to give back to an industry that has given me so much.
Looking ahead, my ambition goes beyond running a successful drone company. I want to help build a genuine centre of excellence and innovation in North Wales — one that inspires others, supports emerging talent, and continues to push the boundaries of what drone technology can achieve.
Aerialworx Innovation and Aerialworx Hire
Aerialworx has also grown beyond its filming roots. Today, the company includes Aerialworx Innovations, where we design and manufacture our own drones, custom rigs, special-effects platforms, and bespoke props for film and TV, as well as Aerialworx Hire, offering a dedicated drone hire service for productions that need reliable, ready-to-go aircraft. This expansion reflects our founder’s drive to innovate and our ongoing commitment to supporting the industry in every way we can.
Our next step is to establish Aerialworx as a drone centre of excellence and innovation hub for North Wales, building on the fact that we’re already a CAA-approved training centre. We want to create a place where advanced engineering, creative filmmaking, and hands-on learning come together — supporting both the region’s talent and its growing tech ecosystem.
On Set
As CAA-approved operators who genuinely care about the craft, we understand the pressures of set life and the importance of getting the shot safely, smoothly, and beautifully. Our team works closely with directors, DOPs, and production crews to capture aerial images that elevate the story, not just fill a frame.
What really matters to us is the relationship we build with every client. We keep communication open, friendly, and honest – whether you’re looking for advice, exploring what’s possible, or simply want to chat through ideas before committing to anything.
If you’re planning a production and want to work with a passionate, experienced team led by a founder who still flies regularly, we’d love to talk. Reach out anytime and we’ll be happy to help, offer guidance, and show you why so many productions choose Aerialworx.
Pete Stanton
Pete is an ex-RAF aircraft engineer with 31 years of service and a highly experienced drone camera and gimbal operator, bringing over 12 years’ experience in high-end television and film production. He has contributed to hundreds of projects worldwide, combining deep aviation knowledge, technical precision, and a strong creative eye on every shoot.
A keen radio-control pilot, Pete actively flies RC aircraft and builds many of his own, bringing a hands-on understanding of aerodynamics, airframes, and flight behaviour that directly informs his work with complex aerial camera systems.
Skilled across a wide range of camera systems — including the ARRI Alexa Mini, Alexa LF, RED, high-speed Phantom, and FLIR thermal cameras — Pete ensures each production captures the right shot, in the right way, every time.
As Aerialworx’s Safety Officer, Pete plays a critical role in maintaining safe and efficient operations. Drawing on his extensive RAF engineering background, he works closely with crew and production teams to ensure full compliance with aviation and on-set regulations. He is also first-aid trained, providing added reassurance that every project is delivered to the highest professional and safety standards.
Chris Telford
Chris has had a lifelong passion for aviation, beginning in his teens flying radio-controlled fixed-wing aircraft before progressing to designing and building his own drones more than 20 years ago. With over a decade of professional experience in the film and television industry, he brings strong technical depth and a practical, detail-driven approach to every production.
While Chris occasionally flies on projects, his primary role focuses on servicing, maintaining, and preparing the drone fleet. Highly skilled in electronics and drone systems, he ensures that aircraft, cameras, and control systems are meticulously set up, fault-free, and production-ready. He is also frequently on set in a technical support capacity, assisting with the operation of our larger and more complex drone systems, where his calm, methodical approach and deep systems knowledge are invaluable to safe and efficient operations.
The only thing he hasn’t quite mastered yet is putting the hoover away — if Chris picked it up half as often as a soldering iron, the workshop would be spotless.
James and Ben
James and Ben work for Aerialworx Innovation and form the core of our aeronautical software engineering team, working side by side to develop and refine the software behind our custom-built drones. They specialise in designing and programming the interfaces, control systems, and custom code that ensure our platforms operate with absolute reliability and precision.
With a strong focus on AI-driven integration, James and Ben are also at the forefront of projects that demand unique drone functionality. From advanced terrain mapping to intelligent tracking and following systems, their expertise enables us to push the boundaries of what our drones can achieve — turning complex technical challenges into seamless aerial solutions.
