Drones come in many shapes and sizes and while they may look like a toy, they are still machines that enter into controlled airspace and can cause problems. Currently the FAA views drone pilots as being in one of two main categories:
To qualify for a sUAS Airmen's Certificate, a person needs to study FAA airspace regulations and take a knowledge test to show they do understand these regulations and how to apply them to each flight's situation. The material, especially as it relates to the types of airspace is the same information an airplane pilot needs to know. By hiring a non-certified drone pilot you can be subjected to substantial fines, and may also be responsible for any property damage that could occur. Let’s look at a scenario: You see an ad on Facebook for aerial photography. You contact the person and agree to a time and date. The person comes to the site, launches the drone and something happens with the drone’s connection to the flight controller and results in an unresponsive drone. The uncontrolled drone crashes through a window of a neighboring home, crashes into a car, or hits a person. Who is responsible, you or the drone pilot? If the police have to get involved, it is a pretty good bet the FAA will be getting involved. Your cheap aerial photograph or video has now turned into a very expense legal problem. To take this a further, Federal Statute: 49 U.S. Code §46306(b)(8) makes it a crime to hire an uncertified pilot. (8) knowingly and willfully employs for service or uses in any capacity as an airman an individual who does not have an airman’s certificate authorizing the individual to serve in that capacity By hiring a certified pilot, you are getting a pilot that has studied airspace regulations and the classes of airspace they can, or cannot, operate in without additional approval from the FAA. A certified pilot that is building up a business or running an established business is also likely operating with some type of liability insurance which helps protect you against any mishaps.
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AuthorAs a photography enthusiast, I hope to share some of my experiences, good and bad, with others that want to learn more about photography. Archives
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