diff --git a/src/backend/app/tasks/task_logic.py b/src/backend/app/tasks/task_logic.py
index ce15fa1b..e70b5fc6 100644
--- a/src/backend/app/tasks/task_logic.py
+++ b/src/backend/app/tasks/task_logic.py
@@ -33,12 +33,17 @@ async def get_task_stats(db: Connection, user_data: AuthUser):
                         %(role)s = 'DRONE_PILOT'
                         AND te.user_id = %(user_id)s
                     )
-                        OR
-                        (%(role)s = 'PROJECT_CREATOR' AND te.project_id IN (
+                    OR
+                    (
+                    %(role)s = 'PROJECT_CREATOR'
+                    AND (
+                        te.project_id IN (
                             SELECT p.id
                             FROM projects p
                             WHERE p.author_id = %(user_id)s
-                        ))
+                        )
+                    OR te.user_id = %(user_id)s -- Grant permissions equivalent to DRONE_PILOT
+                    ))
                     ORDER BY te.task_id, te.created_at DESC
                 ) AS te;
             """
@@ -284,11 +289,12 @@ async def handle_event(
         case EventType.REQUESTS:
             # Determine the appropriate state and message
             is_author = project["author_id"] == user_id
-            if user_role != UserRole.DRONE_PILOT.name and not is_author:
-                raise HTTPException(
-                    status_code=403,
-                    detail="Only the project author or drone operators can request tasks for this project.",
-                )
+            # NOTE:
+            # if user_role != UserRole.DRONE_PILOT.name and not is_author:
+            #     raise HTTPException(
+            #         status_code=403,
+            #         detail="Only the project author or drone operators can request tasks for this project.",
+            #     )
 
             requires_approval = project["requires_approval_from_manager_for_locking"]
 
diff --git a/src/backend/app/tasks/task_schemas.py b/src/backend/app/tasks/task_schemas.py
index 16c43576..2b6ae66c 100644
--- a/src/backend/app/tasks/task_schemas.py
+++ b/src/backend/app/tasks/task_schemas.py
@@ -200,12 +200,15 @@ async def get_tasks_by_user(
                     )
                     OR
                     (
-                        %(role)s = 'PROJECT_CREATOR' AND task_events.project_id IN (
+                    %(role)s = 'PROJECT_CREATOR' AND (
+                        task_events.project_id IN (
                             SELECT p.id
                             FROM projects p
                             WHERE p.author_id = %(user_id)s
                         )
+                        OR task_events.user_id = %(user_id)s
                     )
+                )
                 ORDER BY
                     tasks.id, task_events.created_at DESC
                 OFFSET %(skip)s
@@ -228,13 +231,13 @@ class TaskDetailsOut(BaseModel):
     task_area: float
     outline: Outline
     created_at: datetime
-    updated_at: datetime
+    updated_at: Optional[datetime] = None
     state: State
     project_name: str
     project_task_index: int
-    front_overlap: float
-    side_overlap: float
-    gsd_cm_px: float
+    front_overlap: Optional[float] = None
+    side_overlap: Optional[float] = None
+    gsd_cm_px: Optional[float] = None
     gimble_angles_degrees: Optional[int] = None
 
     @field_validator("state", mode="after")