The Current Situation
by Robert Schick, Kimball Realtors,LLC, Realtor and Drone Operator
Drones Can Be Very Dangerous If Not Used In Accordance To Current FAA Rules--Just Plain and As Simple As That!
Currently, drones are in the news for very negative reasons. As with anything that is fairly new and different, negative stories about processes or products tend to get more stories. Drones are going to be used a great deal in the future despite some current stupid owners who refuse to respect the privacy and safety of others. The FAA is struggling with this latest phenomena of drones in the sky. Having worked in the USAF with the FAA for 28 years as a combat air controller of fast moving fighter jets in small airspaces, I have grown to appreciate the FAAs approach to accommodate as many uses of airspace and still maintain a safe environment. This objective must never be compromised!!
Current Rules
Without getting to technical, there are basically two reasons for buying drones: It is a hobby that can capture great videos and pictures or use it for commercial purposes.
Commercial Use of Drones
The FAA is currently working on regulations for the flying of drones both for hobbyists and those who use the drone for commercial purposes. The forecast is for these regulations to be released in mid or late 2016. Remember this is a government agency that moves slowly but with safety in mind. Until new guidance comes from the FAA, the following guidance for commercial use of drones can be summarized as, well, cloudy and open to different interpretation. However, there is general consensus for the below statements:
Businesses can acquire an exemption but without an approved pilot, they cannot fly the drone themselves. A licensed pilot can work for a company that has a FAA 333 exemption but cannot act independently without the FAA exemption. Good luck in understanding all this!!
What Are My Credentials-This is Critical Information
I submitted a large package to the FAA for a FAA 333 Exemption and it was approved on 3 March 2016. The exemption number is: Exemption 15180 issued to Robert Schick. Another credential I am proud of is that I worked as a controller in the USAF for 28 years. Over that span of those years, I never had an incident that was cause for an investigation by the FAA. Consequently, my past qualifications and experiences with aircraft in airspaces will bode well for attaining a drone license in 2016. I have a private pilot license and my current objective is to get a BFR (Biennial Flight Review). To date I have passed the verbal/written phase and will complete the practical checkout in a Piper Cherokee by 15 May 16. Click here as to what a BFR is and what is expected of me to get endorsed. In essence, 14 CFR 61.56 requires a minimum of one hour of flight training and one hour of ground training. The only specific requirement is a review of the current general operating and flight rules of 14 CFR Part 91 and, at the discretion of the person giving the flight review, those maneuvers and procedures necessary for the pilot to demonstrate the safe exercise of the privileges of the pilot certificate.
Without getting to technical, there are basically two reasons for buying drones: It is a hobby that can capture great videos and pictures or use it for commercial purposes.
Commercial Use of Drones
The FAA is currently working on regulations for the flying of drones both for hobbyists and those who use the drone for commercial purposes. The forecast is for these regulations to be released in mid or late 2016. Remember this is a government agency that moves slowly but with safety in mind. Until new guidance comes from the FAA, the following guidance for commercial use of drones can be summarized as, well, cloudy and open to different interpretation. However, there is general consensus for the below statements:
- A FAA 333 exemption for commercial use of a drone can be applied for virtually anybody. However it is a long, and can be a very technical, process. For many businesses they apply through companies who handle these requests from start to finish, but it is costly. If more information is wanted, just Google "FAA 333 Exemption for Drones". The process can take up to 4 months or so to complete.
- Once an exemption is granted, the current requirement is that the actual drone has to be flown by a licensed private/sport pilot. This part of the regulation is being addressed to eventually allow training to take place that will require taking a special test for a drone operation license. This will open the gates for more people to be qualified for commercial drone pilots. For now, those holding the FAA 333 exemption can hire pilots that have the proper license to fly.
Businesses can acquire an exemption but without an approved pilot, they cannot fly the drone themselves. A licensed pilot can work for a company that has a FAA 333 exemption but cannot act independently without the FAA exemption. Good luck in understanding all this!!
What Are My Credentials-This is Critical Information
I submitted a large package to the FAA for a FAA 333 Exemption and it was approved on 3 March 2016. The exemption number is: Exemption 15180 issued to Robert Schick. Another credential I am proud of is that I worked as a controller in the USAF for 28 years. Over that span of those years, I never had an incident that was cause for an investigation by the FAA. Consequently, my past qualifications and experiences with aircraft in airspaces will bode well for attaining a drone license in 2016. I have a private pilot license and my current objective is to get a BFR (Biennial Flight Review). To date I have passed the verbal/written phase and will complete the practical checkout in a Piper Cherokee by 15 May 16. Click here as to what a BFR is and what is expected of me to get endorsed. In essence, 14 CFR 61.56 requires a minimum of one hour of flight training and one hour of ground training. The only specific requirement is a review of the current general operating and flight rules of 14 CFR Part 91 and, at the discretion of the person giving the flight review, those maneuvers and procedures necessary for the pilot to demonstrate the safe exercise of the privileges of the pilot certificate.
Affiliation with Kimball Realtors, LLC
Examples of First Videos and Pictures
I will be posting some videos and pictures, realizing that my skills on the production side are only going to get better. I will be working with a videographer in the future. The picture above was just taken after a major landscaping project to my home. I made numerous drone flights documenting the project. Go to the bottom of the page to see how the drone can provide videos for a landscaper.
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A video taken by the Phantom 3 Professional drone above my house 175' in the fall of 2015. This is just a sample for your viewing. There will be a more professional rendition of this video by 15 February that will represent a video that has been professionally created by a videographer to be named at the time of posting.
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Pictures and Videos Taken During The Landscaping Project and Video of Day 9
The below videos are more examples of how a drone can be used, for example, by a landscaping contractor.
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