Professional Photographers of America (PPA) has been pressing the FAA to ease commercial-use restrictions for professional photographers who wish to use UAVs in their work. The organization is optimistic we are getting close to a new FAA ruling that will allow select industries to operate RC and autonomous aircraft legally, among them filmmaking and certain types of photography, farming, and smokestack inspection.
This does not mean carte blanche license to fly. A number of limitations will be enforced, including a maximum weight of less than 55 lb, that visual line-of-sight (VLOS) be maintained, and that the vehicle not be operated above any persons who are not part of the operation—i.e., random members of the public. Additionally, it looks like some form of licensing and testing for the pilot/operator will be required, though my impression is this will not be as stringent as a license to fly "full scale", manned aircraft.
Many of these details are expected to be hashed out in meetings this week. Hopefully, quite soon we will have a much clearer picture of where the professional light-UAV operator stands, legally.
26 Comments
Making sure I understand this correctly. If I have a privet pilot license, do I have to take the certification exam or not?
Best regards,
KC
Hi K.C. M. -
Please familiarize yourself with the current FAA regulations and process:
Eligibility:
NOTE:
I already have a pilot certificate issued under Part 61. Do I need to obtain a remote pilot certificate to fly a UAS or drone under the Small UAS Rule (Part 107)?
Yes. To act as a remote pilot in command under Part 107, you must have a remote pilot certificate. However, part 61 pilot certificate holders who have completed a flight review within the past 24 months may elect to take an online training course focusing on UAS-specific areas of knowledge instead of the aeronautical knowledge test. The online training for current pilot certificate holders is available at www.faasafety.gov (ALC-451: Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems). All other members of the public must take and pass the initial aeronautical knowledge test to obtain a remote pilot certificate.
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I would like to use my drone for aerial photography work, the phantom 3 capabilities, AMAZING I love this aircraft.
HELLO ALL!
THE FAA REQUIRES A WRITEN TEST TO OBTAIN THE UAS OPERATOR'S LICENSE.
THIS TEST INCLUDES AND NOT LIMITED TO: AIRSPACE, AVIATION WEATHER, AERODINAMICS, REGULATIONS, PRIVILIGES AND LIMITATIONS, CHARS AND MAPS ETC.
I AM A ASISTANT CHIEF INSTRUCTOR AND I HAVE AIRLINE TRASPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE, I TOOK THE SAMPLE TEST ( LICENSE PILOTS DO NOT NEED TO TAKE THE TEST) AND IT WAS LIKE WHEN I TOOK MY PRIVATE WRITEN TEST. SO, THAT BEEN SAID MAKE SURE YOU GUYS STUDY WEEL BEFORE GOING FOR THE EXAM.
THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT THE USE OF DRONES FOR REVENUE IS ALLOWED AS LONG AS THE REGULATIONS ARE COMPLIED WITH.
I'M TEACHING A ONE DAY CLASS TO PREPARE COUPLE OF MY CHURCH FRIENS FOR THE TEST, IN WHICH I'M COVERING EVERITHING FOR THE TEST AND TO OPERATE THE UAS WITHIN REGULATION.
I am a multi engine IFR rated Pilot. Do I need to take the test or is my pilot liscense enough to fly a drone?
Hi David -
The FAA has modified many of their rules and regulations since this announcement was posted. Please check with the FAA directly regarding your credentials:
Hello Martin,
I am interested in learning to fly drones and would like to know where and what test I can take to start? Also, do you provide assistance with studying for others as well?
howwww ...great!!!!
I live in Anchorage, Alaska, one of the busiest airspaces in the world. We have 4 airports, 2 military bases, and a beehive of private bush planes that fly over my home hourly. My drone can skyrocket into the "danger zone" regardless of where I am in the city. Even a remote football field, closed school, or outdoor park is a potentail source of concern once you reach a certain altitude.
I love creativity and all the options shooting from these vantage points offers, however, I have become very aware of the havoc, accident or insurance liability such a device can create. Use with discretion! Learn the controls with patience and stay away from people, pets and powerlines. You will enjoy the experience with much greater ease.
Hello Haji,
Can you tell me what drone you are using or referring to in this comment page? Thank you. I would like to research it!
Hi Sid -
We have a wide selection of aerial drones suitable for the novice pilot: https://bhpho.to/2zqDiNe
looking forward for additional info, I am interested in the use of Drones for Photo work
quero saber quando estiver dispónivel
Great!
I am very much interested in the use of Drones for Photo work, real state, farm applications.
Thanks for the update, looking forward for additional info.
Let me know if it is available for preordering. Thanks
There is not any particular/specific product being discussed here in this article. The article is just a news piece on a topic about drones within the photo/video industry.
Let me know if it is available for preordering. Thanks
"Professional" photographers?
Remember the old days? When the word, "profession", meant and was limited to the practice of such things as medicine, law, and architecture? Now, it means doing ANYTHING for money. Thus, the only non-professionals are the chronically unemployed.
It's interesting the nerves that can be struck by referring to oneself as a professional photographer. I went to a University and majored in radio and television and minored in photography. After receivomg my Bachelors degree and putting together the necessary equipment that met accepted "Professional standards," I advertised the opening of my business as a professional videographer and photographer. I assumed that by my training and the skilled use of my equipment that I was ready to start charging the public for my products and services. I was a "Professional." I even joined the Professional Photographers of America to take advantage of the seminars and the stimulating exchange of ideas contributing to the profession. After I had been practicing my art for several years, I had a client tell me she had gone to a woman who did photography part-time and that was shooting weddings for a ridiculously low sum of money. After viewing her work, my client told her that she really preferred someone who was a full-time professional to shoot her wedding. The part-timers reply was, "if you prefer a "Professional" (she raised both hands and used her fingers to indiicate quotation marks) then go ahead and pay more" to a "Professional," again using her hands to express quotations. Her attempt to denigrate professionals fell flat on my client. Several months later the part-timer simply drifted away and left several of her clients without their precious wedding photos. She also failed to make several of the weddings she contracted to do because her full-time job required she work on key weekends. Once, so the story goes, her only camera that she shot with failed to function properly on the job and she didn't have a backup. There is a good reason people designate themselves "Professional." With countless folks with easy to shoot digital cameras anyone can feel they are ready to take on a "professional" assignment. Unfortunately the public is more interested in pricing than either performance or quality or surety. The reason I call myself a professional is, damnit, because I am one.
Well stated indeed. I am also a professional; in Computer Science that is. This affords me the resources to purchase some pretty good equipment for shooting my son's golf tournaments. And I do a pretty decent job at it. I once had a guy, who saw my work, ask if I would do the same for his son's golf tournaments and what I would charge. I referred him to a friend of mine, who is an actual professional videographer, meaning, he does it for his living. The guy insisted that my work was good enough to charge money for. I insisted right back that he contact my friend, who is, you guessed it, a "professional" videographer. So I totally agree with you blake.
Blake, your career history and your "professional" attributes has nothing to do with the news discussion here presented.
I agree. Go use Facebook if you need attention.
remember the old days....
sure don't, what I can tell about the "old days" is it allowed racisim, misogyny and bigotry to run out of control. The last thing I care about is somantics about who is or isn't in a profession. Guess what, "test pilot", drones and the pilots that employ their use are slowly replacing you. I guess you'll need a new profession. er job...
Surely you have seen it all. Very wise and well thought comment.
In my opinion all it's needed is a set of rules that has to be included with every drone sold. Areas of prohibited drone activities has to be enforced by perspective authorities not FAA. Common sense.
Otherwise every time you jump you will have to take written test from FAA & we will have to put transponders on all geese and ducks in US.
Now according to new FAA regulations me, Airline Transport Pilot have to take a test to fly a drone. Makes no sense.