Drones!!!

Drones, they are the cool new thing that everyone is playing with to make cool video clips, cut away shots and making money.  But don't be so quick to ask for a drone shot for your wedding cause there are some things that you should really think about.

Even though drones are fairly in expensive these days, and you seem to see them everywhere, there are actually a lot of regulations surrounding them.  Chances are many of the drones you are seeing flying around don't always meet certain requirements or are breaking the law.  Example, this 4th of July, I was enjoying a nice day at the beach with the family when all the sudden someone decided to fly a drone of the crowd.  Some people thought it was cool, some were annoyed cause they do make noise, and well it has a camera that can take pictures of all the people sun bathing.  First thing I thought of?  Unless he for a waiver from the FAA, he is breaking the law.  What law?  The one that says you can not fly directly over a crowd of people.  Actually, you can't fly over anyone that is not directly part of the filming unless you have prior authorization from the FAA.

Another big point is that all drones over a certain weight, which almost all that have a camera on them, have to be registered with the FAA and the rPIC (Remote Pilot in Command) must have a Part 107 Certificate from the FAA.  This is a fairly new law this year, but it was put into place to prevent the skies from filling up with people that don't know how to fly a drone safely.

Why am I taking the time explaining all of this?  That's because I am on track to be a certified rPIC.  Next week, I will be sitting down to take my exam, and will hopefully pass and have my official Part 107 Certificate.  Then when you come to higher me to do a drone shot for your video project, you will know that I can legally fly the drone, know the laws regarding flying the drone, and will of course get a great shot.