Drones are slowly merging into the real estate community and with these restrictions on drone usage, it is important for us realtors to understand the rules. The FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) released new laws and regulations in 2016 that have been set on unmanned aircraft systems. “By law, any aircraft operation in the national airspace requires a certificated and registered aircraft, a licensed pilot, and operational approval (FAA 2016)”. This poses some difficulties for companies and individuals looking to utilize drones to enhance their business.

Hiring a professional drone pilot with a registered drone is not the only option for someone in a commercial industry, however it is a reliable option for someone who is less experienced with drones. There is a different route that can be taken in order to allow access to drones. Section 333 of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act grants the Secretary of Transportation the authority to determine whether an airworthiness certificate is required for an individual or company (FAA 2016). This process is a case-by-case authorization for certain unmanned aircrafts to perform commercial operations. This process provides operators who want to pursue drone utilization in safe and legal ways the ability to do so. However the nature of this process can be a lengthy and expensive one, ultimately discouraging the usage of drones. 

Here’s the link to give it a whirl!