The number of registered drones in the U.S. is rapidly growing and it seems everyone wants one. Many people fly for recreational and purposes, however, if you’re hiring an aerial production company for commercial use you should ensure your pilot is certified by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and which required to legally operate.
Recreational users are defined as those who fly drones as a hobby. Commercial flying involves any flights that are for work or business purposes. All commercial flights must be done by an FAA Part 107 certified pilot which became available in August 2016. Commercial UAS pilots are required to retest every two years and must adhere to all Local and Federal rules.
Drones are sophisticated machines which can be dangerous when used by untrained hands. So before you allow your friend who owns a drone to shoot footage for your next project, here are a few things to consider.
Are they insured?
General liability policies do not cover drone operators unless it is stated in the policy, which is usually not the case. If something goes wrong and the pilot you hired is not insured, you could be held liable for the property damage or injury.
Are they certified?
Hiring a licensed pilot insures that the flights are in accordance with all local airspace restrictions and flight height requirements
Are they licensed?
If they are not the pilot and you are at risk of steep fines for operating a drone without a license.
Is your pilot aware of privacy laws?
A licensed drone pilot understands the rules regarding privacy rights. They know what they can and cannot record and will follow the guidelines set forth by the FAA.
Have you viewed their past work?
Always look at their past work and be sure it’s inline with what you’re looking for. Anyone can run out, purchase a drone to and start selling their services which is why you’ll want to check their production quality.
Professional Drone Services offers aerial photography and video services in Nashville and throughout the U.S. By hiring a professional, licensed drone pilot for inspections, mapping, or shooting videos, you eliminate the risk of drone use and ensure you've captured the results you wanted.