On Aug. 29th, 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration (FFA) put into effect updated regulations for the commercial use of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), commonly referred to as drones.
The implementation of these new rules has streamlined the certification process for new drone pilots, making it a lot easier to use sUAS for things like construction site modeling, law enforcement, commercial roof inspections, FPV racing, utility tower inspections, real estate marketing, land surveying, wildlife tracking, conservation efforts, and so much more. According to research published in May from PwC, The emerging global drone market is valued at $127 billion
As long as you’re at least 16 years old and can pass a multiple choice test (and TSA background check), you would be granted a Remote Pilot Certificate from the FAA and could legally operate your drone as a commercial remote pilot-in-command. Hobbyists — those simply flying for fun — don’t need to get certified. But either way, if the drone weighs over half a pound, it should be registered.
Recode reported that between Aug. 31th and Dec. 9th 2016, the FAA issued almost 23,000 of these Remote Pilot Certificates. That’s pretty wild.
Interested in being an early adopter and earning your Remote Pilot Certificate to take advantage of this burgeoning industry? Here are five things you should know.
1. Understand the FAA Part 107 regulations and national airspace system.
Part of being a professional drone pilot is developing an intimate understanding of what you can and cannot do, where you can and cannot fly, and how to communicate properly with law enforcement, with other crew members and with clients about the national airspace system.
Frankly, not too many people know the operating limitations of small unmanned aerial systems. As a professional, that kind of mastery and education sits on your shoulders, and it’s really on you to keep pushing the drone industry forward in a safe and responsible way.
2. Study for and schedule your in-person FAA Aeronautical Knowledge Test.
Commercial drone operators are required to pass a 60-question multiple choice Aeronautical Knowledge Test.
This test covers over 120 concepts, including FAA regulations, airspace classes, emergency operations, sectional charts, loading & performance, weather conditions, and much more.
Many choose to use enroll in an online drone training program to study. The FAA publishes its own study materials as well.
When you’re ready to take your test, you’ll have to go to a local testing center to sit for a proctored, computer-based test. It usually costs about $150 to take the test.
After successfully passing the test, you’ll be given application instructions and should receive a temporary certificate via email within a couple of weeks. It’s a fairly quick turnaround process.
3. Just because you’re certified, that doesn’t make you a professional drone pilot.
While the FAA doesn’t require any kind of flight proficiency as part of the certification process, any pilot who wants to be taken seriously will have spent dozens and dozens of hours training and logging flight hours.
Whether or not you’re operating a toy drone, or a more professional drone with a camera, you’ll want to spend a lot of time walking through your user manual and developing an expert understanding of your aircraft and all the different settings and modes and fail-safes that are built in.
4. Get insured.
Drone business insurance isn’t required, but it’s highly recommended. For one, you’ve got peace of mind knowing that you’re covered in the unlikely event of an accident.
Also, in some instances, you might need a minimum level of insurance coverage to take on a project, whether it’s needing to secure a city film permit, or working with a larger company that requires insurance for each of its vendors.
Companies like Verifly offer on-demand drone insurance, but there are also a number of brokers than can help you negotiate liability and/or hull insurance in an annual policy.
At the end of the day, insurance is a strong, credible indicator that shows professionalism and reputability.
5. Adopt a pilot mindset.
Checklists are a pilot’s best friend. You’ll want to use checklists for things like your pre-flight procedures, post-flight procedures, flight logging and battery maintenance.
And SOPs are an entrepreneur’s best friend. An SOP, or standard operating procedure, is a document that helps you to record all of the important parts of your business, from marketing and sales strategies to client delivery processes and flight mission contingencies. Whether or not you’re building an aerial service business from the ground up or adding drones to an existing organization or department, SOPs can help you to document everything along the way, helping you to improve processes and to get buy-in faster from key shareholders.