Flying for compensation or hire

Clipper707 · Aug 25, 2014

cubdriver said:
Also, be aware that just like the IRS, the FAA can see right though schemes to make you appear to not being compensated for what you are doing. i.e. "donations", bartering, etc.
sj

Agreed, but some scenarios aren't schemes, so here's a question for the internet attorneys out there.

I have a friend who loves my Phantom with no desire to fly it or own it. He wants me to make a video of his home from above.

Suppose I do, and give it to him. Suppose 6 months from now, he decides to sell his house and uses the video to market the property.

Is this using a drone for commercial reasons?

birdheezy · Aug 25, 2014

That's the beautiful gray area. The FAA can make just about anything look like compensation. If you take a friend for a ride in an airplane and they buy you lunch... Compensation even though it doesn't cover a fraction of the cost.

Clipper707 · Aug 25, 2014

"Yeah, but I got the last one. He owed me lunch anyways, Mr. FAA Agent."

ianwood · Aug 25, 2014

If Amazon can't get a COA, what makes you think anyone else will? It'll be a long time before the special interest money gets out of the way. Don't expect it to happen anytime soon. Fortunately, the only regulation the FAA thinks applies to commercial operations is so ludicrous that no one including the FAA and their judiciary can take it seriously.

Let's face it. The FAA has failed miserably.

cubdriver · Aug 26, 2014

And all the folks flying them are rated military pilots, or at least fully rated contractors.

sj

birdheezy · Oct 6, 2014

This is an interesting article.

I've pretty much run into a wall with trying to get a COA (not surprising) but we'll see if i can't get it to move along.

http://generalaviationnews.com/2014/10/ ... -launches/

birdheezy · Oct 15, 2014

The FAA has canceled AC 91-57 which governed model aircraft. It was more of a set of guide lines (stay below 400ft etc) but it'll be interesting to see where the FAA goes from here.

The new regulations to be put in place will have enforcement and penalty provisions... AKA the FAA wants to be able to punish people for model aircraft misbehavior. Yikes.

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FAA-Wants-To-Replace-RC-Model-Rules222900-1.html

FlyingRabbit · Oct 16, 2014

Probably a stupid question, but what are photographers and videographers doing then? Obviously there are quite a few of them out there using the Phantom (and other drones) to take aerial photography and video footage.

I would love to use it in my own business. I do a lot of architectural photography and already do elevated stuff (with an elevation pole mostly). I'd love to be able to get even higher perspectives... but I also don't want to be breaking the law.

birdheezy · Oct 16, 2014

A lot of people are just doing it. I don't think people are really turning other people in unless it becomes an issue or hazard. so for the most part, i'd say if you feel comfortable with the people you're around/working for, go for it! haha it's just how you feel about operating in this gray area.

FlyingRabbit · Oct 16, 2014

birdheezy said:
A lot of people are just doing it. I don't think people are really turning other people in unless it becomes an issue or hazard. so for the most part, i'd say if you feel comfortable with the people you're around/working for, go for it! haha it's just how you feel about operating in this gray area.

I hear you. I guess my fear would be that both of my biggest clients are extremely large companies. I think I would need to get clearance from them to "go for it" since their name could be tied up with any problem. I'd rather it all be on the up-and-up if possible... but that seems unlikely right now... except that I can follow the flight rules to the letter (like staying under 400ft and away from airports, etc)

ianwood · Oct 16, 2014

Don't worry about your big clients. Drone footage is everywhere. I can rattle off many household brands that have indirectly paid for drone filming. Even American Airlines has drone footage on their screens when you board their planes and they're obviously heavily regulated by the FAA.

And everyone in Hollywood thinks the FAA just cleared the use of drones for film (and not just 6 aerial filming companies).

birdheezy · Dec 10, 2014

http://generalaviationnews.com/2014/12/10/faa-grants-five-more-commercial-rpa-exemptions/

New article that came out. Slowly making progress...

Meta4 · Dec 10, 2014

Only 11 companies with exemptions - that require full pilot qualifications for a supposed leading technological country isn't slow.
It's a pitiful joke.