Using a Drone...

Question:

A licensee has a drone and would like to use it to take aerial photographs of a listed property for use in the property's advertising. The licensee does not have any FAA certification or other credentials to operate a drone commercially. May the licensee take and use drone photographs for the listing?

Answer:

A licensee who uses a drone to take photographs or videos of a listed property for use in marketing the property is operating the drone for a non-recreational purpose. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulates this activity under its Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems rules, commonly referred to as Part 107.

To operate the drone under Part 107, the person manipulating the drone's controls must hold an FAA Remote Pilot Certificate with a small UAS rating or be under the direct supervision of a person who holds such a certificate. A licensee who does not hold a Remote Pilot Certificate therefore should not independently operate a drone to take photographs or video for a listing....