Why Does a Drone License Matter?
…And What is the Added Value that Comes to Me, The Customer?
It’s not just about playing by the rules.
I have found myself trying to explain to customers why my drone video and photo service seems expensive. I don’t always remember all of the reasons, so I figured I’d create a collection here.
What exactly does getting a license entail?
The license to legally fly a drone in the United States for commercial purposes is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration, the same body that regulates the airspace and every aircraft in it from single engine Cessnas to large passenger airlines like Delta and United.
That means it is taken seriously.
The test for the license is 60 questions randomly chosen from over 600, and costs $175 just to sit for the test, and must be renewed every two years. The required study material includes much of the same information required to get an actual pilot’s license, minus specifics for any particular aircraft. This includes airfield operations, reading sectional charts, and identifying the same hazards to navigation that all aircraft must know and respect or else peoples’ lives can be in danger.
For instance, as I write this the weather is overcast with a cloud ceiling at 600 feet. I know and respect that this gives me 100 feet to fly above ground instead of the normal 400 feet limit. This is important because there are other aircraft (helicopters, small airplanes) that are flying by their instruments alone and may need to drop below the clouds in order to see. If you think any aircraft carrying people can risk running into an 11lb drone at 100 mph or more, you’re sorely mistaken.
A drone pilot license signifies responsibility, and a motivated dedication to that responsibility. This is added value for your drone video that you’ll likely never see with your eyes, but it’s there.
Why is the quality better from a licensed pilot?
If I’m going to take the time to study and understand dry, boring aviation rules for months on end just to get a license, you’d better believe I’m putting in the time to practice and learn the best filming techniques.
I have seen some amazingly poor drone video slapped on the front pages of the websites for many large companies and corporations. Most people may gloss over aerial video because they’ve seen it hundreds of times in the last week, but bad drone footage can be very noticeable and directly or indirectly cause customer confidence to drop for any brand.
I’m more discerning than most when it comes to judging the quality of footage, and I don’t publish anything that I wouldn’t want anyone to see. You can rest assured that your video will pass anyone’s scrutiny and be appreciated by all, even by casual viewers who may not even stay to watch.
Why bother with Post Production?
As a follow up to the question above, the color quality of your drone footage can make or break a project. Consumer drones tend to create middle-of-the-road video in order to please the most people who just want to play around with aerial cinematography.
Professionals, on the other hand, are always reaching for ways to pull more color quality and cinematic looks from their drones. This business is all about grabbing eyes, and getting the best color quality can be more vital for views than whatever you may be filming.
This is why there may be an added fee for post production, which entails taking the drone footage into an editor and adjusting for the best color. This can be time consuming, but it’s worth it for the WOW factor.
Got Any Questions?
I’m always curious to learn more about what people think. Please ask me anything.
