5 Must Know Drone Rules For Real Estate

Drone Rules: Real Estate in Columbia, SC
Here are the key takeaways from FAA Drone Laws/Rules/Regulations:

1. Make Sure Your Drone Photographer Is FAA Certified:
FAA requires anyone selling drone photos to be 14 CFR Part 107 Certified. If your photographer is not certified, you become mutually responsible for the FAA issued fines (which are upwards of $27,500) for illegal drone use. Many photographers operate without certification due to a lack of knowledge.

2. FAA Rules Trump Any Local Governments:
Don’t be fooled by local drone rules banning drones, airspace is public and the FAA ultimately has full jurisdiction. A recent ruling “establishes a rock-solid affirmation that the federal government unequivocally holds jurisdiction over the drone industry.”

3. Drone Camera’s Do Not Zoom:
In response to privacy when flying near private property, the vast majority of drone cameras do not zoom, and the few that do zoom are wildly expensive. With an average of 94-degrees field-of-view, drone cameras are wide-angle. This makes them great for capturing real estate, but terrible for “spying”. It may be better to be concerned with Helicopters, legally flying as low as 500ft, with a zoom lens on a handheld camera.

4. Within 5-Miles Of An Airport:
To fly within 5-miles of an airport, your drone photographer must notify the airport of their task. In some cases, the photographer must submit an application, and in rare cases, the use of drones will not be permitted.

5. Hire A Professional:
It’s better to be safe than sorry. By hiring a professional FAA Certified photographer, you can enjoy the home selling benefits of drone photography without the risk of taking shortcuts.