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Be sure your drone pilot is properly licensed

Drone photography and videography can create some powerful images. Maybe you’re thinking a breathtaking view from a mountaintop or a busy city street flyover is just what you need for your newest marketing campaign.

Before you hire a photographer/videographer to shoot those awesome pictures, be sure they are properly licensed and operate their drone safely and legally.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is the agency responsible for regulating small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS—the FAA’s term for drones) and the rules are far more complex than you might think. Penalties for violating them can be severe—and the FAA doesn’t have a sense of humor when it comes to pilot “oops” when flying drones.

Some of the rules of the sky that apply to drone operations:

  • Maximum allowable altitude is 400 feet above the ground (higher if the drone remains within 400 feet of a structure).
  • Maximum speed is 100 mph (87 knots).
  • Drones must be kept within unaided (for example, no binoculars) sight of the pilot or a visual observer. You can’t be a pilot or visual observer for more than one drone operation at a time.
  • If you intend to fly over people who are not directly participating in the operation, you must understand and meet the requirements in 14 CFR Part 107.39.
  • Do not operate a drone from a moving vehicle or aircraft unless you are flying your drone over a sparsely populated area, and it does not involve the transportation of property for compensation or hire.
  • Do not fly a drone in restricted airspace.

As much as you might like to have some fun footage of an airport for your travel blog, you’re not likely to get it. The risk to commercial aircraft operations is too great. Think about it—if a bird strike can take out a jet engine, imagine what a collision with a drone can do to a passenger aircraft.

Also, if you’re considering getting a drone (they’re becoming increasingly affordable) and shooting the images yourself, be aware that commercial use of photography/videography created with a drone requires that the drone operator be licensed.

A drone operator who violates FAA rules might get away with a simple warning, but might also have their license suspended or revoked, be subject to civil penalties in the form of substantial fines (in the thousands of dollars), and even incarceration for criminal convictions.

As the photographer/videographer’s customer, you don’t need to know the rules, but for the integrity of your own business, you should only hire a drone operator who knows and abides by them. If your project requires securing special permits, be sure your budget and schedule accommodate that process.

Photographers/videographers who have invested in training for and securing a remote pilot certificate (a drone pilot’s license) have demonstrated their commitment to safety and professionalism. They deserve your patronage.

Click here to watch us unbox our new camera drone.

Jacquelyn Lynn
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