Meet our team!

 In order to fly your drone under the FAA's Small UAS Rule (Part 107), you must obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA. This certificate demonstrates that you understand the regulations, operating requirements, and procedures for safely flying drones.   Any drone operations used to augment the regular operations of a business or to advance a business is considered commercial use. This includes the use of aerial images to advertise a hotel or beach, the use of a drone for surveillance of a farm, or uploading of drone videos for a monetized YouTube channel. If the FAA finds out any of these activities were done without the appropriate license, the drone pilot can be penalized for up to $32,666 per incidence. 

It’s (somewhat) common knowledge that operating a drone for commercial purposes without a license can result in civil penalties or fines from the FAA.  However, it is a lesser known fact that you can be fined for hiring someone without an FAA license.  Ignorance is not a defense for this either; as the FAA puts the burden of verification squarely on the shoulders of the client.  To make this even worse, the client can actually face penalties that are 10X that of the unlicensed ‘pilot.’  So if you have Little Timmy down the street fly over 4 houses for you, he could face fines of up to $4,400, while you’re stuck taking out a second mortgage to cover your fines of $44,000!  If you buy your own drone and fly for work without a license, it is possible that you could be hit with both sets of penalties.  Additionally, if the crack Ace you’ve hired accidentally crashes into something or worse…someone; guess who is liable?  It is highly unlikely that Timmy has liability insurance, as insurance companies won't cover unlicensed operators/equipment. 

• 1) Ask to see the pilot’s FAA Remote Pilot Certificate (drone license), and whether they hold any other FAA licenses.  If they are unlicensed, find another pilot.
• 2) Ask the pilot for a Certificate of Insurance (COI). If the job is large, complex, or otherwise high risk, it is not unreasonable to ask to be listed as an Additional Insured.
• 3) Ask the pilot whether he/she will require any Part 107 Waiver(s) to complete the job.  These waivers include flights in controlled airspace, nighttime operations, operations over people, and several other restrictions.  While the process is getting better, some waivers can still take up to 90+ days to get approved so it is important to know ahead of time if they will be necessary. 
• 4) Ask the pilot about their safety and experience.  How long have they been in business?  Have they ever had an incident on a job?  Do they have backup equipment if there is a failure?  Do they fly with a Visual Observer?  A good Drone Pilot should be able (and willing) to answer any safety-related questions you may have.

FPV stands for first-person view. So, when it comes to flying an FPV drone, essentially this means that pilots of FPV drone see what the drone sees. Traditional drones differ from this as they are piloted through the pilot’s perspective on the ground. With FPV, it is instead piloted through the perspective of the drone, not the pilot, via an onboard camera. A drone’s eye view, if you will. FPV drones require a lot more technical skills and experience to pilot. They also require the use of goggles to view what the drone views.

This has to be the question we get asked most by kids!  Unfortunately, we only allow our PART 107 licensed pilots to fly our equipment. Our insurance does not cover anyone other than our specified pilots. We try to teach as well as share our art, and we want you to enjoy it at a safe distance!