Hiring a drone operator for your business—whether in real estate, construction, roofing, or solar installation—requires more than just owning a drone. Ensuring compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Part 107 regulations is essential to avoid costly fines and legal troubles. Let’s explore why it’s critical to hire a certified and insured drone operator and the risks involved when businesses ignore these regulations.
The Importance of FAA Part 107 Certification
The FAA’s Part 107 certification is required for anyone flying a drone commercially, meaning any use that involves making money, such as property listings, construction monitoring, or inspections. This regulation, implemented in 2016, helps ensure that commercial drone pilots understand airspace rules, weather conditions, and how to safely operate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
Hiring a certified operator isn’t just about following the rules—it’s about ensuring safety and professionalism. Without this certification, pilots are flying illegally, and your business could face serious penalties.
Hypothetical Examples of What Could Go Wrong
While these examples are hypothetical, they reflect real-world scenarios that could happen when businesses operate drones without certification:
- Real Estate Agent Example: Imagine a real estate agent flying a drone to capture aerial shots of a new property listing without Part 107 certification. If the FAA catches wind of this, the agent could face fines upwards of $10,000 for each unauthorized flight. Not only would this hurt their finances, but it could also damage their professional reputation.
- Roofing Contractor Example: A roofing company might decide to inspect roofs using a drone without ensuring the operator is certified. If the drone causes property damage during the inspection, the lack of insurance could result in hefty out-of-pocket costs and legal battles.
- Solar Installer Example: A solar installation company surveying rooftops with uncertified pilots might think they’re saving money. However, if the FAA discovers these illegal flights, fines could amount to tens of thousands of dollars, far exceeding the cost of hiring a certified drone operator from the start.
Real-World Consequences
Although the examples above are fictional, real fines for illegal drone operations do occur. For instance, SkyPan International was fined $200,000 for unauthorized drone flights over restricted areas?27†source?. Similarly, a Chicago man was fined $1.9 million for conducting drone flights without permission for years?27†source?. These cases demonstrate the FAA’s commitment to enforcing regulations, regardless of industry.
The Importance of Insurance
Beyond certification, insurance is equally important. Drone operations carry risks, including accidents, property damage, or even injuries. If you hire an uninsured drone operator and an incident occurs, your business could be liable for significant costs. A properly insured operator ensures that all flights are protected, safeguarding your company against financial loss.
How Six Gricks Solutions Can Help
At Six Gricks Solutions, our licensed and insured drone pilots comply with FAA Part 107 regulations. We provide professional drone services for real estate, construction, roofing, and solar industries. Hiring us means you can avoid the risk of FAA fines and rest assured knowing your projects are in safe hands.
Call to action: Avoid legal and financial risks—work with Six Gricks Solutions to ensure your drone operations are fully compliant and insured.
For more information, visit the FAA’s Part 107 Guidelines.
Disclaimer: This post is not intended to be legal advice.
0 Comments