Why use a licensed drone operator?

A Federal Aviation Administration drone license. 

As a business it is in your best interest to use a properly federal and State of Minnesota licensed drone operator. Here is why...

1. - It's legal.

Commercial operations (flying drones to further a business, nonprofit or government agency) require operators to be federally licensed. Government agencies can choose to the federally licensed or operate under a Certificate of Authorization (COA).

Using drones in all areas of business is a new and fledgling industry. Sometimes it can be like the wild west. Many people have drones, few know how to use them and only a select few know the legalities behind their use at a commercial level. When you hire a drone company that has the proper licensing, you know they are professionals at their craft. They have gone through training and testing to ensure the work they do is 100% legal.

2. - Licensed operators are professionals.

When thinking about what drones can do for your business, talk to a professional in the field. Talk to a properly licensed operator. A lot of work and education goes into being properly licensed. This means that these licensed operators have taken the time to set a solid foundation. They have invested the knowledge and time into their business, so that they may invest this knowledge and time into your business. Do you really want to hire your neighbor down the street that flies drones as a hobby? You and your clients are worth more than that. The time and money you invest on a project is worth hiring a professional. They will protect you and your company.

3. - They help protect you.

A properly licensed operator will help protect you, your business and your clients. Take a look at this list of all the properly licensed operators in Minnesota. Each one of them has their drone registered with the State of Minnesota and they have provided proof of special drone liability insurance. The state minimum is $300,000. Most drone liability policies are $500,000 - $5,000,000 depending on the work to be done. A properly licensed operator knows their drones, knows how to mitigate risk. Mitigating risk is key to any aviation practice. Drones are maintained properly and fully checked for safety before each flight. Licensed operators know and understand the laws.

3D model captured using a drone.

4. - They protect your project and investment. 

 

Let me give and real life example of what one of our clients encountered. The client asked that we shoot some video of a engineering project they were planning for a larger city in Minnesota. We followed the laws and provided the video they requested. They spent about 90+ hours adding graphics and 3D modeling to the video and presented it to the client. At this presentation, an employee from Minnesota Department of Transportation (MN DOT) was there and asked they they pull this video and it cannot be used. Client called us and explained the situation. They knew they had a lot of time and investment into this project and were worried about the legalities behind it. We helped the client understand the issue MN DOT saw with the video and explained how we captured the video. It was nice to give the client the knowledge and backing by saying "If they have any further issues, they can contact Aerial Imagery Media directly." In this instance, all was resolved because they hired a licensed professional. MN DOT understood how the video was captured and the client was able to use the video for further promotion.

Don't get your project pulled because you used an unlicensed and unskilled operator. We have heard projects and photos pulled for many reasons and fines issued. For instance, currently the Realtor Association of Southern Minnesota requires drone photos and video to be done through a licensed operator. I cannot imagine how many photos were pulled from the multiple listing service because the realtor did not use a licensed operator. 

5. - They can get your project done. 

Drones fly in the national airspace. What does this mean? Well, professional operators must know the same airspace that planes fly in. It can be confusing at times to know where drones can and cannot fly. This is why it is so important to hire a licensed professional. Below is the chart map (aviation map) for Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport.

Chart Map MSP

There are certain areas where it is against federal law to fly. Do you know where? Can the drone operator explain to you were and why? Knowing if your project location falls in particular airspace is important. Hiring someone who will fly where ever puts your company at risk. Puts the project at risk and can risk federal and state fines.

Properly licensed professional drone operators know when and where they can fly. They know how to obtain special Certificates of Authorization from the FAA for certain airspace. They know and understand how to apply for a Certificate of Waiver to be able to fly at night. Without these authorizations and waivers, you are at risk.

6. -  Properly licensed drone operators love their job. 

We love our job. We love taking the time to map out a project and understand the in's and out's of our work. We love working with the client to get the shot needed to provide value to their business and their clients. We have taken the time and energy to full understand out craft. We are professionals.