Drone Buzz
Dronescapes Blog
1. Is the Pilot Licensed? - As of August 2016, the FAA requires that all drone pilots have a Part 107 drone/UAV license to operate legally as a commercial pilot. It is a good first step to ask if a pilot has this license. To be sure, you can ask them to show you their certificate. The FAA is handing out large fines for those operating without this license or for those hiring an uncertified pilot. Those who knowingly hire unlicensed pilots like Realtors or even real estate developers can face fines starting at $11,000 per occurrence.
2. Does the Pilot Have Insurance? - This is another good question to ask your potential hire. When selecting a drone operator, you will want to consider one who is insured. This can protect you and the operator in the event of an accident. Though insurance is not required by the FAA Part 107, it is important that the drone operator carries at least a liability policy.
3. Are They Educated About Airspace and Flight Restrictions? - It is essential to hire drone operators who are knowledgeable about the safe conditions for certain operations. In order to fly for commercial purposes inside certain types of airspace (specifically, Controlled Airspace), a drone operator will need to obtain certain waivers and authorizations to fly in that airspace. Other types of operations may require other specific waivers, such as night operations and flying over people.
4. How Much Experience Does the Drone Operator Have? - Do you want just some person with a drone? Although the FAA requires the 107 certificate to fly a drone commercially, it does not require a drone operator to pass any sort of skill test. Make sure you ask the operator you are thinking about hiring how long they have been flying drones and how kong they have been in business.
5. Does The Drone Operator Have Examples of Their Work or a Portfolio? - It is common practice in the photography and videography industry to ask to see a portfolio or examples of a photographers work before hiring them to do a job. You don't want just anyone with a drone to take photos or film for you. The drone operator should be able to produce previous examples to show the quality of work you are likely to get. Make sure that the person that you hire is a photographer who can fly a drone.
The bottom line is you are paying good money for a good product. Make sure you hire a professional. The five points above are marks of someone who has taken the time to be knowledgeable of their craft, they make sure their clients are protected, and they are putting forth the best product they can. Don't hire just some guy with a drone because it will end up costing you more in the long run.
As drones become more and more popular, it is important to be aware of the laws that govern their use. Here we will provide an overview of the laws that apply to drones, as well as what you need to do to stay within the law. So whether you are a drone enthusiast or just looking to buy your first drone, make sure you read on!
The future of commercial drone use is now here. The Federal Aviation Administration has released a comprehensive list detailing all the requirements for drones, including what you need to know if your plan includes using them in business. With this information at hand it’s easy enough that anyone can hop on board with their own lightweight aircraft--but there are some important things every prospective drone operator needs before taking off like understanding why certain areas might have different regulations than others like Class B airports vs rural farmland.
The drone industry is booming, and with that comes an increasing number of regulations. To fly commercially in the U.S., you need to pass Part 107 certification tests at designated testing facilities ($150 per test). I found some helpful videos on YouTube that helped me study for my exam as well as courses offered by Drone Launch Academy--they guarantee your success if used properly but will refund all fees spent when not passed first time around (no questions asked!). This means anyone who wants access into flying drones without spending too much money can get started now - just remember preparation
The FAA takes illegal drone use very seriously. If you don't follow all of the regulations, there can be severe penalties including warnings, suspension, revoking your certificate and fines as well!
The FAA fined a repeated offender in Philadelphia, PA $185,000. This remote operator repeatedly live streamed and posted live sessions of him flying his drone. In these videos he repeatedly broke rules like flying over the 400-foot ceiling and flying beyond the line of sight, which are made very clear in the FAA regulations. He ignored repeated warnings from the FAA and received this hefty fine. You can see more about this here.
Another example comes from Chicago, IL. The company Skypan International received $1.9 million in fines for flying unregistered drones over restricted areas in illegal ways. They settled the case and payed $200,000 to the FAA. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2017/01/17/faa-drone-skypan/96671342/
If you do choose to fly your drone commercially without the FAA 107 certificate, you can receive fines up $32,666 per incident. The fine will be charged daily for continual commercial use without the certificate after receipt of the FAA warning letter.
The FAA can also enforce criminal charges and can include fines up to $250,000 and/or three years in prison.
Drones are still fairly new, so the FAA has a policy of sending out warning letters and is making efforts to make sure the public is educated on the FAA 107 regulations. As drone use becomes more prevalent, the FAA will more than likely, become less lenient and start issuing fines more frequently.
So there you have it, a quick rundown of the laws that drones must follow. If you’ve been considering buying one or using your own drone for recreational purposes, this article should be very helpful in educating you about what is and isn't allowed to do with them. For those who are operating their own aerial photography business., be sure to visit the FAA website so that you can remain compliant with all FAA rules and regulations regarding use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). We hope that these guidelines will help keep everyone safe!
Here is a link to the official FAA Part 107 Rules.
