FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot

Today I got my Airman Certificate for the FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot. I am now able to charge for my services. I cannot wait till springtime.

“Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn.”

~ Lewis Grizzard
[DJI Mavic Air 2, Mode = Normal, ISO 100, 1/30, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 24)]

Why is this important for my clients?

“If you think hiring a professional is expensive, wait until you hire an amateur!”

Realtors are told, “The pilot would face a fine of $1,100 per violation…while the person [The Realtor] who causes the operation could be liable for a fine of $11,000….”

This is called Blue hour, especially the one in the evening is probably the most popular time of day to take cityscape photography with dazzling city lights illuminated. This is shooting the Last 10 Minutes of Dusk or for Sunrise the First 10 Minutes of Dawn. [DJI Mavic Air 2, Mode = Normal, ISO 100, 1/25, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 24)]

A $182,000 fine was issued to a drone pilot in Philadelphia in December 2020.

Roswell, Georgia City Hall [DJI Mavic Air 2, Mode = Normal, ISO 100, 1/500, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 24)]

Here are some guidelines for drones

  • Request digital authorization for commercial operations in LAANC-enabled U.S. controlled airspaces
  • Can I fly here? Get real-time feedback on airspace rules and conditions regarding your flight specifications with national rulesets. To charge for drone aerial photographs, you MUST be an FAA Part 107 Certified Drone Pilot
  • Non-Certified Drone Pilots can and will be fined – $1,414 per violation
  • Do not fly higher than 400 feet
  • Try not to fly over any moving vehicles or people when possible
  • Keep your drone within eyesight at all times
  • Remain a safe distance away from others’ property and unprotected people
  • Notify any airports ahead of time if flying within 5 miles of an airport
  • Do not fly in adverse weather conditions or under the influence of substances
  • Don’t fly near sensitive areas (power plants, water treatment plants, prisons, major highways, etc.)
  • Don’t invade others’ privacy with photos or videos for 20 countries, including Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
  • Connect to any supported DJI drone to fly and toggle camera settings directly from the AirMap app
  • Plan a flight path to a specific duration, altitude, and airspace requirements

PetSuites Roswell, Georgia
[DJI Mavic Air 2, Mode = Normal, ISO 100, 1/320, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 24)]

The reason you hire a licensed drone pilot is as much to do with flying by the Federal Aviation Administration rules as just how good their photos and videos are for you.

Give me a call, and let’s plan to make the most of this coming springtime.

Cultural Arts Center in Roswell, Georgia [DJI Mavic Air 2, Mode = Normal, ISO 100, 1/400, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 24)]

Nikon 14-24mm ƒ/2.8 Transports the Audience

John Kevin Cash served the community as a firefighter for the Roswell Fire Department and the McDonough Fire Department. [NIKON D5, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 200, 1/125, ƒ/8, (35mm = 14)]

Here is one of the best tips I can give you about your camera and lens choice. The relationship of the camera’s distance to the subject is how it feels to the audience.

My favorite lens to transport the audience to be right in the subject scene is the Nikon 14-24mm ƒ/2.8.

The Roswell Criterium [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 1600, 1/2000, ƒ/13, (35mm = 14)]

I love getting down low and close to let the terrain pull you into the shot.

TCU 42 vs Ole Miss 3 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 12800, 1/250, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 14)]

I enjoy doing the “Hail Mary” shot from above to show someone in a context like this group taking a selfie with the Chick-fil-A Cow.

Blessed Trinity High School Recruiting Photos [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 1400, 1/100, ƒ/5, (35mm = 14)]

I do try and keep people a little more centered than with other lenses to keep their heads not looking a little weird.

Blessed Trinity High School Recruiting Photos [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 800, 1/100, ƒ/8, (35mm = 24)]

A great example of showing students learning up close with the teacher in the background.

Blessed Trinity High School Recruiting Photos [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 800, 1/800, ƒ/8, (35mm = 19)]

You learn quickly in aerial photography that you want to be closer to the earth to see the details than too high up. The 14-24mm let me do this hear and show Kennesaw Mountain in the distance of Blessed Trinity High School in Roswell, GA.

Chick-fil-A Kickoff Alabama vs West Virginia [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 3600, 1/100, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 14)]

Chick-fil-A gave away free ice coffee during the Kickoff in the Fan Zone. See how you see the product but in context?

College Football Hall of Fame First 100 [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 200, 1/80, ƒ/8, (35mm = 14)]

The “First Bite” shot at all Chick-fil-A Grand Openings. This is the College Football Hall Of Fame location.

College Football Hall of Fame First 100 [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 500, 1/250, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 18)]

Dan Cathy always plays his Trumpet at the Grand Openings he attends with Reveille.

College Football Hall of Fame VIP Night [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 11400, 1/100, ƒ/11, (35mm = 16)]

You are taken behind the counter of the fresh tray of sandwiches ready to be given away.

Cow Appreciation Week events in the Tampa, Florida Market [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 100, 1/500, ƒ/4.5, (35mm = 24)]

I love getting on children’s eye level and getting close.

Cow Appreciation Week events in the Tampa, Florida Market [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 100, 1/10, ƒ/8, (35mm = 14)]

You couldn’t get this shot without a super-wide angle of 14mm.

Cow Appreciation Week events in the Tampa, Florida Market [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 180, 1/100, ƒ/8, (35mm = 15)]
The Atlanta Science Festival [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 4000, 1/80, ƒ/8, (35mm = 14)]
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center Southwestern Photojournalism Seminar [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 900, 1/2000, ƒ/10, (35mm = 14)]
Manziel, Aggies Edge Duke 52-48 in Chick-fil-A Bowl [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 8000, 1/250, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 14)]
Seminar 2013 Allure of of The Seas Royal Caribbean [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 12800, 1/20, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 14)]
Clemson vs LSU Chick-fil-A Bowl 2012 [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 8000, 1/2000, ƒ/7.1, (35mm = 14)]

Here is S. Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A, doing the coin toss at the Chick-fil-A Bowl in 2012.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 400, 1/5, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 23)]

Dan Cathy, my daughter, and her friend are shaking the sand-filled eggs.

Chick-fil-A Kickoff 2012 Clemson vs Auburn [NIKON D4, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Shutter Priority, ISO 8000, 1/2000, ƒ/4, (35mm = 24)]

This is about as close as you can get to a missed touchdown pass.

Loyola Water Tower In-Line [NIKON D3, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/60, ƒ/5, (35mm = 14)]

Worm’s Eye View is just as interesting as a Bird’s Eye View.

Seminar 2011 San Antonio, Texas Built to Last: Lead At The Next Level [NIKON D3, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 6400, 1/200, ƒ/2.8, (35mm = 21)]
Youth With A Mission [NIKON D3S, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Manual, ISO 200, 1/100, ƒ/7.1, (35mm = 17)]
Balloon Ride in North Georgia [NIKON D3S, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 400, 1/30, ƒ/8, (35mm = 24)]

The best intimate aerial photography is when you are close to the earth like we are in this balloon shot.

Clayton State University Campus Scenics [NIKON D3S, 14.0-24.0 mm f/2.8, Mode = Aperture Priority, ISO 2500, 1/50, ƒ/5.6, (35mm = 14)]