Buy a drone or not?

Run&Gun said:
I’ve debated getting the smart controller for my Mavic 2 Pro, because using most cell phones for screens is an exercise in futility, or at the least, frustration, during the day outside. I’ve also thought about the VR goggles... But it’s all basically for fun. I don’t fly it on paying jobs. My drone is registered with the FAA, but I’m not part 107 certified or insured to fly commercially.
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How much is it to register with the FAA? I've heard it's inexpensive (like $5?)
 
I'd probably just repeat what's already been said, so let me mainly add a few links. And note that while I used to do some RC stuff as a hobby, I don't currently own a drone. Thought about it, but haven't determined the fun/financial ROI works for me. So anyway.

Think about why you want to buy a drone, and if you can overcome the "it's a fading fad" feel some people (both viewers and clients) have. Totally doable, but worth considering, imo. This New York Times article from a year ago sticks in my mind:
The Dronepocalypse Is Here — in Documentary Footage, at Least

Also, the FAA has decent basic info on how to get going:
Become a Drone Pilot

And yes, it's $5 for a three-year registration. Again, from the FAA:
Register Your Drone

There are probably non-government sites that provide clearer guides to the process. But a quick Google gave results from sites selling services, and/or older articles. Others here can probably provide better guides.

Finally, a drone camop friend (who teams with a retired helicopter pilot and who's work is often tower inspection) said he needs to keep track of the different laws/regulations in different states, parks, and municipalities. Looks like this fairly recent article covers those variances and some other stuff:
Drone flying laws, FAA regulations, and license requirements you need to know


So if you do decide a drone is a worthwhile expense either for fun or for work, please let us know what you end up buying!
 
markfpv said:
Yes. $5 every 3 years.
And testing / licensing for part 107 needs to be renewed every 2 years - and is $150 (at least was last year when I renewed.)
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Make certain you register at the official dot-gov site. There are a bunch of dot-org and dot-com sites that look like the official FAA site, but charge you substantially more than the $5.00 registration fee.
 
Jim Feeley said:
I'd probably just repeat what's already been said, so let me mainly add a few links. And note that while I used to do some RC stuff as a hobby, I don't currently own a drone. Thought about it, but haven't determined the fun/financial ROI works for me. So anyway.

Think about why you want to buy a drone, and if you can overcome the "it's a fading fad" feel some people (both viewers and clients) have. Totally doable, but worth considering, imo. This New York Times article from a year ago sticks in my mind:
The Dronepocalypse Is Here — in Documentary Footage, at Least

Also, the FAA has decent basic info on how to get going:
Become a Drone Pilot

And yes, it's $5 for a three-year registration. Again, from the FAA:
Register Your Drone

There are probably non-government sites that provide clearer guides to the process. But a quick Google gave results from sites selling services, and/or older articles. Others here can probably provide better guides.

Finally, a drone camop friend (who teams with a retired helicopter pilot and who's work is often tower inspection) said he needs to keep track of the different laws/regulations in different states, parks, and municipalities. Looks like this fairly recent article covers those variances and some other stuff:
Drone flying laws, FAA regulations, and license requirements you need to know


So if you do decide a drone is a worthwhile expense either for fun or for work, please let us know what you end up buying!
Click to expand...

Thanks, Jim. That NYT article was a good read and confirmed my thoughts on the use of drones as well...
 
Run&Gun said:
I’ve debated getting the smart controller for my Mavic 2 Pro, because using most cell phones for screens is an exercise in futility, or at the least, frustration, during the day outside. I’ve also thought about the VR goggles... But it’s all basically for fun. I don’t fly it on paying jobs. My drone is registered with the FAA, but I’m not part 107 certified or insured to fly commercially.
Click to expand...


I started with my phone but the little screen got even smaller with all that readout data.
Then thought, hey I'll just use one of my iPads. but couldn't see s#it it the sun.
This 2000nit monitor makes it easy to see outdoors.
 
Unless you :
- will be doing a significant amount of drone work
- enjoy flying for fun

I would consider just hiring the drone work for the occassional job need. The reason is because of the ever growing FAA regulation. Most places you want to fly are in controlled air space which require clearance (not necessarily easy to achieve) or the location has a drone ban.
There are new ever tightening "rules" in the works as we speak.
It's much more than passing a test, paying $150 and studying charts when you want to go fly.
The ongoing and ever increasing hassle of trying to operate legally is good reason to hire someone else for the occassional drone job, and let them deal with all the stuff.
I realize a LOT of people are just flying illegally now which makes flying much easier, but the new ID system(s) aims to stop that.
 
firehawk said:
Unless you :
- will be doing a significant amount of drone work
- enjoy flying for fun

I would consider just hiring the drone work for the occassional job need. The reason is because of the ever growing FAA regulation. Most places you want to fly are in controlled air space which require clearance (not necessarily easy to achieve) or the location has a drone ban.
There are new ever tightening "rules" in the works as we speak.
It's much more than passing a test, paying $150 and studying charts when you want to go fly.
The ongoing and ever increasing hassle of trying to operate legally is good reason to hire someone else for the occassional drone job, and let them deal with all the stuff.
I realize a LOT of people are just flying illegally now which makes flying much easier, but the new ID system(s) aims to stop that.
Click to expand...

Good points. I live in NYC and there are a few parks that allow flying there but I do shoot a good deal upstate and on Long Island where in many parts drone use is allowed. What is the new ID system?
 
I believe the new ID system is called remote ID or something like that. I received emails about it a few months ago and people were petitioning their thoughts. I don't remember all the details as I have a lot of other things going on, but at the time there were two proposals. Basically new drones are going to have increased tracking and control so they (govt) can not only monitor everything you do but also prohibit it. Think of it as spying and policing on steroids. All older models would be retrofited (not likely) or illegal (most likely). It would also pretty much kill the hobbyist who make their own, and of whom we owe so much to for advancing the SUAS community
. There are already lots of problems trying to fly in areas where you have the proper prior clearance but the aircraft won't start due to errors in the 'policing" software. Not good when you are on a paying job and your client is there and you suddenly cannot do the shot you planned for. This looks to be much much worse. I didn't do a very good job explaining it, but it doesn't look good for the honest working sUAS operator. DJI was asking people to send in their concerns in hope of consideration being made. As far as I know, they are moving on as planned. Some see it as just another push in the ongoing plan to take away people's rights across the board but call it "safety."
I actually love flying. It was a dream of mine for more than a couple decades to be able to shoot aerial. I wish I had time to do it more. Soon looks like I won't be doing it at all.
 
Thanks, Firehawk. You explained that pretty well. Doesn't make any sense to me why they would do this. If you could link to any articles on the subject that would be great...
 
A system was just implemented in aviation called ADSB which provides accurate position reporting, supposedly to permit tighter separation between aircraft in crowded airspace. The drone proposal is something similar that may use IoT for the data transport. Due to the altitude restrictions on drones I see little use for it unless drone delivery and similar ops permit non LoS flight, or they add an altitude layer for certain types of flights.
 
J Michael said:
A system was just implemented in aviation called ADSB which provides accurate position reporting, supposedly to permit tighter separation between aircraft in crowded airspace. The drone proposal is something similar that may use IoT for the data transport. Due to the altitude restrictions on drones I see little use for it unless drone delivery and similar ops permit non LoS flight, or they add an altitude layer for certain types of flights.
Click to expand...

I just read up on ID system. Looks like some serious privacy concerns if they're geo locating pilots (for example to their back yards). Looks like corps like Amazon and T-Mobile will profit nicely from implementing the system, too. Sigh....
 
Dji Fly App won't install on my Android from 2018. WTF? Dji forcing people to either return their products or upgrade their phone :/
 
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