Commercial Use

jpd · Feb 26, 2016

So I've been thinking of starting a small business, you know really small stuff filming action sports, reality and piggybacking of my wife's photography business to film weddings for her. I looked into it and it turns out I'm required to get a pilots license, if you didn't know yes an actual license to fly small planes. Why??
I can see having us take a class or get some type of certificate but **** I don't want to fly planes nor do I have the extra 12,000 dollars it takes to get one where I live. Does any one else have issues with this??
Your can someone who has gone thru this and has gotten their pilots license please tell me how this would benefit me in the drone field?
Thank you

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kptw_pilot · Feb 26, 2016

Wait a bit. The FAA is thinking about changing the rules with the 333 exemption.

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lalvar40 · Feb 26, 2016

You r totally right. You can start by asking for the FAA exception. The approval will take around 120 days. In the meantime, let's hope they will create a new regulation where you need a certificate or a test to handle your small device. It does not make sense to ask for a pilot license just to fly a sort of a toy.

Meta4 · Feb 26, 2016

jpd said:
Does any one else have issues with this??

Of course the current situation is ridiculous even the FAA recognise this.
But the FAA are dinosaurs and take forever to get around to doing anything.
The FAA were putting this around a year ago: Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
And this year they are saying this: Press Release – DOT and FAA Propose New Rules for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems
But when it eventuates is anyone's guess.

Omniround · Feb 27, 2016

Since my purpose is to use my P3P for shooting pictures for clients, I will be flying part of the time commercially. The link provided above references some changes occurring in March. Wasn't clear if you still need a 333 or not?

Also, if you register first as a personal user, is it an issue to change it to commercial. Sorry if my terms are appropriate for this purpose.

Thanks

Gary M · Feb 27, 2016

If you are doing ANY kind of commercial work, yes, you need the 333 Exemption and still a pilot license. Sell a video to your neighbor, $10,000 fine if you're not legal. But you only need a Sport Pilot License. Where I live that's still $4,000 to get that. Stupid FAA, I swear.

Omniround · Feb 27, 2016

The perceived income doesn't justify $4000. Maybe things will change in March?

Gary M · Feb 27, 2016

I have heard so many dates thrown out there I have no idea when FAA is planning to finally act on this. March would be nice. But I've also heard "Sometime in 2017" so who knows...

WetDog · Feb 28, 2016

Omniround said:
The perceived income doesn't justify $4000. Maybe things will change in March?

Which March? This one? Or the next one?

The FAA is taking "Think three times, measure twice, cut once" to new heights, so to speak.....

Omniround · Feb 28, 2016

I had read that March 31 changes would be implemented. Maybe what I read is no longer true? I am new to this so I didn't know better.

My March reference came from the following quote:

"
Earlier today, the FAA released their rule for registering drones. This has gotten a lot of media attention for its impact on consumer drone operation and sales over the holiday season, but an often overlooked aspect is the impact that this rule will have on businesses operating drones. Right now, the new registration system does not support registering drones for business use. However, the full registration rule (available here) is 210 pages long, and contains numerous references to what using a drone for business will actually look like.

Key Takeaways for Businesses

Starting March 31, 2016, this will effectively replace N-number registration for commercial UAS
Business registration will be by individual aircraft, not by company or pilot
The registration fee for companies will be $5 per aircraft
There is no information on individual pilot licensing requirements
Penalties for flying an unregistered aircraft can be as high as $250,000

Patrick · Mar 6, 2016

Omniround said:
The perceived income doesn't justify $4000. Maybe things will change in March?

Just was checking out your website, How long did it take you to get your section 333?

Omniround · Mar 6, 2016

Patrick said:
Just was checking out your website, How long did it take you to get your section 333?

That questions must have been for someone else although you quoted me?

Patrick · Mar 6, 2016

Omniround said:
That questions must have been for someone else although you quoted me?

I was looking at your site and noticed you had aerial photography listed, I've recently applied for my section 333 and was curious how long the process took you?

Omniround, LLC Virtual Tour and Panoramic Services Include

360X180 degree virtual tours
Aerial Photography

Omniround · Mar 6, 2016

Ah ha..now I see what you meant. That was partly due to ignorance on my part. As long as I don't charge for the aerial photography or I hire a pilot, I am fine, and in the meantime, I am hoping the rules will change later this month or in June. Since I don't have a drone yet, I hired a drone pilot for my last project. I don't claim to be the pilot or to have a 333. I can offer the service and be legit if someone with a 333 does the shoot. Many people offer services they contract out. Best of luck with your application.

Patrick · Mar 6, 2016

Shucks, I was hoping someone local could give some guidance on timeframe based on experience

, should be fun, it's been about a month, although i expect minimum of 90 day, but of course hoping it would be quicker......

Omniround · Mar 6, 2016

I am wondering if you could check the applications and figure out when they were submitted and when they were approved. Will keep you in mind if I need to hire a "legal" pilot. I was very disappointed with the guys I hired.

Omniround · Mar 6, 2016

While on the subject, how is posting an aerial video on YouTube that earns money different than being paid to do an aerial video? Whether you are paid at the time of the shoot vs. over years afterwards so much different?

CEB70 · Mar 23, 2016

jpd said:
So I've been thinking of starting a small business, you know really small stuff filming action sports, reality and piggybacking of my wife's photography business to film weddings for her. I looked into it and it turns out I'm required to get a pilots license, if you didn't know yes an actual license to fly small planes. Why??
I can see having us take a class or get some type of certificate but **** I don't want to fly planes nor do I have the extra 12,000 dollars it takes to get one where I live. Does any one else have issues with this??
Your can someone who has gone thru this and has gotten their pilots license please tell me how this would benefit me in the drone field?
Thank you

Sent from my iPhone using PhantomPilots mobile app

FYI: I have been informed by middle of this summer the 333 exemption rule will change and we may only have to take a test on NAS National Air Space this is to confirm they
UAS operators know how to fly and what altitude to we fly at .

Jeremiah Nelson · Mar 23, 2016

Who cares? Be safe and do it anyway. That's my advice. I use mine daily for my roofing business and promote heavily on fb. No problem.

rcheing · Mar 24, 2016

Jeremiah Nelson said:
No problem.

Until some asshat reports you. I'm with you, I hope the FAA changes there rules soon. I am waiting for a 333 exemption and currently in the process of getting my PPL, actually my pilot studies extend since last year...the 333 just made it a priority for me to finish this as soon as possible.