Tips on Getting Your Drone Pilot License

Posted by: Ken Huth

Whether we’re out flying, or chatting with photo friends — people always want to know about the process to become a pro drone pilot, drone laws, and how to not get in trouble with where they fly.

And clients are never sure if the person they are talking to just bought an expensive toy, or is really a pro who they can trust to safely fly on their property, following FAA regulations.

Hopefully this guide will give some insight, and point novice pilots toward resources to becoming the best pro they can be.

Since we’re drone photographers/videographers, this article also includes lots of extra tips and resources for getting the best images/videos from your drone as well.

So…ready for takeoff? Here we go!

Are you a “recreational” drone pilot?

After plunking down $2,000 for your shiny new drone, sure, you’re excited to fly… but there are some things to consider before you hit that little round takeoff button.

The FAA says, if you are not in any way profiting from flying your drone (including YouTube ads, social media promotion of your business, or certainly client gigs), and you are over 16, then you may fly as a recreational pilot.

First step:

Both recreational drone pilots and pros start at the FAA DroneZone to register their drone and get info.

Next up:

Let’s learning what’s most important, to get you started fast…

Safety the #1 Issue:

Rather than asking, “will I get in trouble flying here?”, the real question that a new drone pilot should be asking is “how can I be a drone pilot with the safest flights possible?”

It may not sound fun exactly, but after all, we’re flying something that can cross paths with actual commercial airplanes!  We need to take this seriously.

…and the FAA doesn’t mess around. Think, the IRS, mixed with homeland security.

They are protecting the national airspace — people who fly recklessly ruin things for everyone.

Be a pro.   Be a student of drones.   Be safe.

If your focus is just on staying out of trouble, you might bump into the fact that you can’t fly:

• near airports
• too high, or too far away
• over a large stadium

But you might totally miss that you also can’t fly:

• over many state parks
• over people *
• over moving cars *
• at local spots w/rules against drone flights (like in Durham NC at the ATC including DPAC.)
• too near a prison
• too near a college stadium during a game, or at many campuses ANY time (including Duke and UNC)
• flying in twilight without proper training & lighting*
• in any way that takes the drone beyond your line of site

(* some of these things are in flux staring mid 2021, so research what the changes are)

And this list goes on and on… to the point where if you live near a busy enough city, you should check maps for restricted airspace before even considering buying your drone… let alone flying it.

And, as of 2021, even if you want to be only a recreational pilot, you’ll need to take an FAA test (and prove you did, to any authority that requests it.

The good news is that this new FAA TRUST test is not only free, what you learn will honestly make you a safer, and more prepared pilot.

See links in the Resources sidebar to the right, on the test and our favorite training site UAV Coach.

Learn more about us…

We love to talk drones, and brainstorm with potential clients about ways to create striking drone images & video… or maybe we already have some stock images of Durham skylines, or landmarks that’ll work for your next project.

Check us out and get in touch!