There is an area IG currently inaccessible except by flying due to cliffs, and I want to know if I can use a flying creature like a familiar, dominated animal, animal companion, or summoned animal to scout the area (have to have a DM in on this of course) for some recon information. I'm not sure what the level of communication with these various beasties is beyond using them to attack!

Thanks

Depending on the situation this may be possible (like in a DM quest), however as a general rule it isn't - otherwise way too much would be accessible to any level 1 wizard with a flying familiar.

Any area in the module that is ready to be accessed, there is a way to access it.