Dear Fellow Members
Many of us are thinking about doing business using manual remote controlled, gps assisted and/or unmanned aerial systems now that FAA is starting to release the aerial space for that.
I understand that now only a few test police agencies are allowed to fly unmanned missions and that the air space for drones will gradually be opened.
But for us diyers or hobbyists thinking in creative ways to explot the many technological innovations that are reachable with a low budget aircraft .....what is the real possibility of being able to offer aerial photo or video services and charge for those flight sessions legally?
I have seen many websites offering "Free" flights as a hobby and charging for "editing" the video or pictures so they disguise the real commercial aspect of their activity.
Is there a real future being addressed for that type of business?
And second.... to supply drones or services using drones like Arducopter to the police or fire departrments does the manufacturer of such equipment need to go to some type of certification process so the aerial platform is qualified for that?
Thank you for your kind answers!
Rodolfo Magnus
Replies
Rodolfo if your interested in business with gov/civil gov contact me privately, this is an inappropriate forum for that discussion.
As to the disguise of commercial intent, "Professional Hobbyist" such as those who make videos of R/C flight for the purpose of sponsorship from hobby suppliers are no less "disguising their commercial aspect".
I think we should all approach this differently. Unite our voices to say:
If they follow the current process you'll have to have a "type" certification or an "experimental" certification.
If I were looking to sell aerial photos I'd simply advertise my business as such. Don't advertise or disclose that you're using a drone. If you get hassled in the field they have no way to prove your commercial intent. If they don't bother you at the field and somehow come across the photos at a later date and for some odd reason want to question you just decline to answer any questions. It would be very hard to get in trouble unless you incriminate yourself, and highly unlikely that they'd set up some sort of "sting" operation on you. If they did start questioning you that would be a good clue to back off.
There are numerous examples of people openly using drones commercially. A private arson investigator was recently in the news talking about it. Apparently a few people have been warned, but AFAIK nobody as yet been fined and there is no real legal precedents I'm aware of. If you're smart enough NOT to have news articles published on what you're doing you probably have nothing to worry about.
Note: IANAL, always obey the law according to your best understanding of it, and weigh the safety of your actions, the potential penalty you would face, and your risk of being charged/fined.
Edit: I would determine the identity of your customers before quoting them a price. If you find out they are a government customer then quote them a price for actual aerial photos from a real plane. You can probably even still use a drone to do the work, just don't show your hand by quoting a ultra lowball price that will make them wonder how you're doing it.