$11,000… eleven thousand dollars… ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS! The FAA has the ability to fine a company $11,000 per citation of flying a drone without a Part 107 License. If the drone your company is flying is between .055lbs and 55lbs, you need a licensed pilot to operate that drone. By not hiring a Part 107 licensed drone pilot, your company is cutting corners. Do you really want a federal agency wondering where else your company may be cutting corners?
I’ve been flying a drone for a few years as a hobbyist and view myself as a skilled pilot. Why do I need a license from the FAA to say I can take these skills into the commercial sector? I was annoyed and honestly viewed this as government overreach but there was no way I was going to risk the possible $11,000 fine. Becoming a Part 107 certified pilot required many hours of studying to pass a rather difficult knowledge exam test. I had to understand airspace maps, NATO phonetic alphabet, METAR weather reports, restricted airspace, airport flight patterns, and even recognizing hazardous attitudes that may cause harm. The FAA wants commercial drone pilot to appreciate and respect the airspace that manned aircraft occupy. Maybe I drank the FAA kool-aid but I genuinely understand why they require this license. The FAA has kept the airspace safe for many years and they want drone pilots who understand the aviation world to continue this reputation.
Most people, including unlicensed drone pilots, have never looked at an aeronautical chart. Aeronautical charges are complex and fairly complicated maps designed to assist the navigation of aircraft. A large chunk of the population is located inside restricted airspace where drone operations require clearance from Air Traffic Control.
Flying a drone near a busy international airport seems like an obvious no-no. But what about a smaller airports? What distance away from the Kansas City Downtown Airport is required to fly a drone? A Part 107 License pilot will know where to fly a drone legally and how to get an exemption to fly commercially in restricted airspace. Chances are your business or real estate property you’re wanting aerial footage of is near a large or small airport and may require ATC clearance.
My goal isn’t to scare you into not utilizing drone footage for your business. Rather, let a licensed pilot give you the peace of mind and capture that cinematic aerial footage for you. Hiring a professional Part 107 certified pilot may be more affordable than you think. Check out a short video I created below as a certified drone pilot and let’s work together!
