Commercial Flying Without a 333

[msinger]

I hope it does fix the requirement to have a pilot license.

It's not going to "fix" it. The FAA is creating a new license that is easier to obtain. US law requires a license, so that requirement will likely never go away.

 

[Opcon]

You guys are absolutely crazy if you think the laws and regulations are going to get any less stringent. This "operator's license" may come into effect to fly as a hobbyist but to fly commercially you will always need to possess a pilot's license. It's what separates the boys from the men in this industry. I went out and got my sports pilot license when I learned this is what you'll need and I can tell you it gives you a great respect for airspace among other disciplines. A respect and understanding that someone who is not a pilot can't comprehend. These UAS's may be sold in Best Buy now but they are not toys and I wouldn't be surprised if in the near future there are huge restrictions on even selling and purchasing a "drone". Good luck flying without an exemption and a pilot's license, you'll be able to slip through the cracks for a little bit until the FAA finds you and smacks you with a fine/lawsuit just as they did with skypan.

 

[msinger]

This "operator's license" may come into effect to fly as a hobbyist but to fly commercially you will always need to possess a pilot's license.

Hobbyist will not be required to have an "operator" license. It'll only be required for those who want to fly commercially.

 

[Opcon]

Hobbyist will not be required to have an "operator" license. It'll only be required for those who want to fly commercially.

False

 

[msinger]

False

Can you provide a link to the FAA's website where we can learn more about what you're saying? "False" doesn't tell us much.

FYI, here's the source related to my comment above:
Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)

 

[Volantis]

Not really true. They issue the 333, then as a condition demand a licensed pilot fly it. But they do not demand a pilots license in order to get it.

I'm sorry if you couldn't understand what I wrote. It does not disagree with your comment at all.

 

[Opcon]

Can you provide a link to the FAA's website where we can learn more about what you're saying? "False" doesn't tell us much.

The airport I fly out of is Republic Airport in Farmingdale, long island. Upstairs, above my flight school, is the FAA and I have sat down and spoken to their UAS specialist. I can tell you all that it's not going to get any easier to fly a drone commercially or as a hobbyist.

 

[msinger]

I can tell you all that it's not going to get any easier to fly a drone commercially or as a hobbyist.

I believe that. But, are you telling us that hobbyist will be required to have an operator license? The NPRM does not mention that.

 

[ashtonhess]

would there be a problem with not charging for the footage or pictures you took with your drone, but charging let's say $200 for delivering the flash drive or cd with the videos on it? not charging for the actual footage that you would just be giving as a "gift" but charging for another simple task.

 

[barefootbeachcombing]

would there be a problem with not charging for the footage or pictures you took with your drone, but charging let's say $200 for delivering the flash drive or cd with the videos on it? not charging for the actual footage that you would just be giving as a "gift" but charging for another simple task.

Asked and answered before. Won't work.

 

[msinger]

ashtonhess, that's not allowed. You're a commercial operation as soon as you start receiving money.

 

[iSkyShots]

We have been growing our video library as amateurs, as we wait for the commercial aspect to be sorted out. We now have a 333 exemption that automatically includes a COA for 200 feet AGL, which is really enough for our future commercial purposes. We've registered our P3P and are waiting for the registration card to arrive. Now grandfathered in, we are ready for the sensible changes that are on the horizon. In our years of doing business, we've had training and examinations to obtain licenses to operate our registered motor vehicles and marine vessels, so it seems natural to do the same in sending our Phantom into the skies for profit, with a drone operator permit, but not a airplane pilot license. There is a vast difference between the two, so the FAA operator proposal suits us just fine.

 

[SteveMann]

I'm sure the FAA is reviewing these forums

Why?
The FAA safety inspectors already had their hand slapped by the FAA in Washington about looking at You tube videos for violations [cite], so what makes you think they would look into a relatively small number of users in these forums?

 

[SteveMann]

A lot of people have challenged the legality of the FAA enforcing anything below 400 feet for small drones. Some lawsuits have successfully ruled in the favor, although not all. With litigation on going.

Cite, please.
I am not aware of a single case as you describe.

 

[SteveMann]

Upstairs, above my flight school, is the FAA and I have sat down and spoken to their UAS specialist. I can tell you all that it's not going to get any easier to fly a drone commercially or as a hobbyist.

Your "UAS Specialist" (Not an official FAA title) is only half right - barely.
The Part 107 rules as proposed will make commercial flight with your personal drone a lot easier than the current Section 333 exemptions requirements. A whole lot easier.
The NPRM not only creates part 107 rules for small UAS, but it also changes 14 CFR Parts 21, 43, 45, 47, 61, 91, 101, and 183. The rule changes to Part 101 are the ones that will legally define hobby flight. Basically §101.41 and §101.43 codify Section 336 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (FMRA), which was taken almost verbatim from Advisory Circular AC 91.57. In other words, AC91-57 will be a rule, not advisory.

 

[Shammyh]

Very few people have become rich in this country by following all the rules all the time.

If you take "big business" in America as your role-model, then I'd say break the rules until they haul you into court. Make as much money as possible in the interim, then you'll have more to spend on lawyers.

Bit tongue-in-cheek, but also not.

 

[ParsnipHysorter]

I'm sorry if you couldn't understand what I wrote. It does not disagree with your comment at all.

You said "As far as the 333 goes, at this time you need a pilot's license before you can get it. If you don't have a pilot's license, and you don't hire a pilot to be on hand when you operate the drone, then forget about the 333."

So, I'm not sure which part of your statement I am misunderstanding, it is pretty clear you are saying to people they need to a pilot's license to get a 333, especially when you say "you need a pilot's license before you can get it", when in fact is not the case. You can certainly get the 333 without a pilots license, but you will not be able to execute it without one. Perhaps this is what you meant but it was not clear.

 

[ReefPilot]

Your "UAS Specialist" (Not an official FAA title) ...

Sure it is. FSDO's around the country are hiring "UAS specialists". You should apply! Ha!
USAJOBS

 

[Guillermo Barreiro]

Alright guys, so this is the deal. I work in commercial video production and recently discovered the joy of the P3P. Every one of my competitors is flying drones, 95% of them do NOT have a 333 exemption. I am currently in the process of applying for my 333, but being that this can take months, I don't want to miss out on work in the meantime. If I keep things very safe, don't market the service and don't draw a lot of attention to myself, would I be fine? Also, kind of personal, but how many of you are flying for commercial use without a 333? Thanks for the input, I really appreciate the help.

I'm going to start a aerial photography company in !my country, is legal here , I don't have a good name yet ,any suggestions

 

[cleaner1369]

A local (house) siding and windows company in Tulsa is openly advertising on the local radio stations that customers can monitor the progress of their siding jobs by use of their "high-tech drones" video.

I called them with the pretext of asking about a siding estimate for my house and then went straight into questions about their 333 license. They said they didn't know what the hekk I was talking about and finally hung-up on me.

In summary: They ain't got one, they're advertising their commercial usage, and they don't care. I'm watching this one to see how it plays out.