FLYING WITH CONFIDENCE
The Federal Aviation Administration or FAA issued new regulations regarding the operation of drones in June of 2016. The provisions of the new rule – formally known as Part 107 –are designed to minimize risks to other aircraft and people and property on the ground. Part 107 rules for commercial use of a drone also known as a UAS (unmanned aerial system) require the operator or Pilot in Command to obtain an FAA Remote UAS Pilot license and are required to observe all federally mandated aviation rules set forth by the FAA. Additionally, Remote UAS Pilots are required to renew their FAA license bi-annually. FAA regulations set strict guidelines for maximum altitude and require the UAS Pilot to seek permission from their local airport control tower to fly in controlled airspace.
Our pilots are fully licensed by the FAA and The North Carolina Department of Transportation Aviation Division. We have completed remote pilot ground school and have passed the required FAA UAS knowledge test and the North Carolina UAS knowledge test. We will always arrive on time and our identification, FAA documents and North Carolina documents are available for inspection upon request. For your convenience we also carry insurance specifically designed to cover drone aviation and associated liabilities.
PENALTIES FOR NON LICENSED COMMERCIAL DRONE USE
Thinking of buying a drone and filming your project yourself? Think twice. An unregistered UAS's being used for commercial purposes may result in regulatory and criminal sanctions. The FAA may assess civil penalties up to $27,500. Criminal penalties include fines of up to $250,000 and / or imprisonment for up to three years.
WHEN IS A DRONE CONSIDERED A COMMERCIAL DRONE?
- If you use aerial footage obtained by a drone / UAS and plan to use it to promote a business or property, conduct agricultural aerial surveys or receive remuneration in any way as a result of the sale or licensing of footage.
- If you post drone footage to social media and it is monetized (pay per click, pre-roll advertising etc.).
- If you sell your footage to a second party.
