Navigating the Skies of Opportunity – Your Guide to Obtaining a Drone License
Jamie Perez • March 31, 2025
Drones have revolutionized the world of videography, opening up breathtaking possibilities for capturing stunning aerial footage. But, not just anyone can fly a drone and profit off its picturesque images. As a videographer, you have to have your drone license. So how do you get a drone license? And why do you need a license to fly a drone?
Why a Drone License Matters:
- Legal Compliance: Operating a drone without the proper licensing can lead to hefty fines and legal trouble. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the United States, for example, requires all drone operators to hold a Remote Pilot Certificate. Obtaining this license ensures you're following the law while pursuing your passion.
- Safety First: Drones can be potential hazards if not operated responsibly. A drone license equips you with knowledge about airspace rules, safety protocols, and emergency procedures, reducing the risk of accidents.
- Professionalism: Clients often seek videographers with the skills and credentials to operate drones professionally. A drone license showcases your commitment to providing high-quality, safe aerial footage, enhancing your reputation as a videographer
How to Obtain a Drone License:
- Eligibility: To qualify for a drone license, you must be at least 16 years old and be able to read, write, speak, and understand English. You also need to pass a background check.
- Studying for the Part 107 Exam: The FAA Part 107 exam is the key to obtaining your drone license. It covers topics such as airspace regulations, weather, drone operation, and emergency procedures. If you’re not good at weather, science and math, study up! This test is not easy and does require ample time to study and familiarize yourself with reading aeronautical maps. The FAA takes it very seriously. Fortunately, there are numerous online courses and study guides available to help you prepare.
- Taking the Exam: You can schedule the Part 107 exam at an FAA-approved testing center near you. The test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions, and you need to score at least 70% to pass.
- Applying for the License: Once you pass the exam, you can apply for your Remote Pilot Certificate through the FAA's Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system. You'll also need to undergo a background check.
- Renewal and Ongoing Learning: Your drone license needs to be renewed every two years. Staying informed about changes in drone regulations and practicing safe flying habits is essential for maintaining your license.
Benefits of a Drone License for Videographers:
- Expanded Creativity: With a drone license, you can capture breathtaking aerial shots that add depth and diversity to your video projects. Whether it's a wedding, a real estate video, a nature documentary, or just promotional footage, drones enable you to explore unique angles and perspectives that you would otherwise not be able to see.
- Competitive Advantage: In a competitive videography industry, having a drone license sets you apart from the competition. Clients are more likely to hire a licensed drone operator because it demonstrates professionalism and expertise. And the footage just looks really cool.
- Diverse Project Opportunities: With a drone license, you can diversify your services. Aerial footage is in demand across various industries, including real estate, agriculture, tourism, and more, allowing you to expand your client base.
So, having a drone license not only keeps you on the right side of the law but also opens doors to exciting creative opportunities. Having your drone license is worth it. If you're a videographer with a passion for storytelling through aerial imagery, invest in your future by getting your drone license and watch as your career soars to new heights!
We see this time and time again... organizations wanting to tell an emotive story through video and then being disappointed that the final product wasn't as heart-tugging as they'd hoped. This mainly happens for three reasons: 1. Controlling the narrative. There are too many cooks in the kitchen. Organizations want to include everyone in the conversation and then there's too many opinions on what should be included in the video, who should be included, what should be shown, etc. This convolutes the message and becomes a jamboree of information and takes away from the natural flow of what the true story should be. 2. Trying to fit everything into one video. Organizations often don't think about what it truly means to tell a story. It's not talking about all the facts and features of the organizations, the different types of programs, showing the building, etc. We don't need to know everything about you. We KNOW you're doing incredible work, but we can read the facts and figures through the caption or text on your website. What we want to see and feel is the stories and emotions that accompany what you do. Which brings us to the next point... 3. Focusing on the features rather than the people. While it's great to inform people of the logistics of your organization -- those things are often not unique and they don't really retain people's attention. What does accomplish these two things, however, is gripping people by the heartstrings by focusing on one or two people's stories to show the audience the impact you make. It's not about telling me all the generalities of your organization. We really need to hyperfocus on ONE story that embodies the difference you make in people's lives. Remember what a story truly is. It has characters, it follows a journey, it presents a problem, a solution, has layers, and evokes emotion. If your videos are mostly just a summary of what you do as an organization, then you haven't really told a story. You've told me WHAT your organization does. The true heartfelt stories are always found in the WHY.
Starting your own videography business is an exciting step into the world!
Thinking about the equipment you will need to get a basic job done doesn’t
have to be stressful. We’ve put together a list of basic essentials to get
started on your video creation journey!
Storytelling is so important for any organization to engage in, but for nonprofits in particular, sharing stories is what will open up hearts, minds and wallets so they can continue providing their much needed services. Fundraising takes time. So while nonprofits are on that timeline, there's a certain order in which stories can be shared that will help optimize fundraising dollars: WHILE YOU'RE FUNDRAISING : Tell the incomplete story. This is featuring someone who is currently seeking services from your organization and still needs help. When you tell the story of someone who has already completed their journey or isn't in as great or immediate of a need, donors might think, "Well this person's been taken care of so they don't need my help." If you tell the story of someone currently in need and highlight some of the challenges they face, this creates more of a sense of urgency. AFTER YOU'VE REACHED YOUR FUNDRAISING GOAL : Now, you can tell that complete story. Do a follow up with the person whose incomplete story you told and provide an update. Send it out in a newsletter. Keep your donors informed on how their donation dollars helped change this person's life, the problems they helped solve, the impact they made, and how consistent donations will help more people in the future. You can also just tell different stories entirely in this phase and talk about how fundraising efforts like the one you just held, help hundreds of people like the ones you're highlighting in the stories you've shared. BONUS: GETTING MORE DONORS OR GETTING YOUR CURRENT DONORS MORE INVOLVED: Why should people donate to your organization out of the thousands of others who also need financial support? When you can share your DONOR'S stories, other people may hear their stories and be able to relate to their "why". There are three different styles of videos you can refer to to get ideas on how you incorporate donor storytelling: 1) This video was sent out to donors for a nonprofit based in Madison, WI called Little John's Kitchens. This nonprofit works with food insecurity, providing meals at a pay-what-you-can option and utilizes other low cost models for people to have access to chef-quality meals who may not know where their next meal is coming from. The video was created AFTER receiving donations during a campaign to show donors what their donations helped the organization achieve: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xV8tQCKTL-E 2) This video featured loyal donors of the same organization about WHY they continue to give to Little John's Kitchens. When you make your donors part of the journey, instead of just asking them for funds when you need help, you build loyalty and they feel like they belong to something bigger than themselves: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DVfbtzBIwM 3) And finally, this video thanks the donors specifically. Don't just converse with your donors when you need money from them. Tell them how much and why you appreciate them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NPd_MM-MOk
