Thanks Mike. At $40 - $75 an hour it doesn’t look like I’ll get rich flying a drone. After paying for training, licensing, commercial insurance, equipment maintenance and upgrades, auto maintenance, gas, driving time, marketing, there’s probably not enough left over to make it profitable. And to top it off, the video and stills that you submit may not be good enough to get you paid.
I’m not a very good photographer or videographer to begin with so more training and practice in those areas are a necessity before I think seriously about commercial drone work.
I’ll just keep practicing with Autopilot and learn the ins and outs of that and maybe, who knows, I’ll become a flight instructor for that platform.
Thanks for all your time.
Kenny
It is not for everyone, but it is a fun hobby. The industry is still growing and has a lot to work through.
Fortunately for me making money with my drones and/or photos/videos is not my main source of income. But does make a good side hustle and one I plan to grow. The best way to make money is to work for yourself, but it doesn't mean you have to quit your day job, at least at first anyway.
As a small business "paying for training, licensing, commercial insurance, equipment maintenance and upgrades, auto maintenance, gas, driving time, marketing," become write offs.
If it is something you want to do, then start it out as a side gig and build it over time.
Being able to do ground pics and videos is something you may consider adding required by Drone Base).
Network visit drone meet ups, go to FAAST seminars, join drone groups, and Commercial Drone Pilots for forum (link at the bottom of every page here) ...
Take photo and video classes. There are tons of them on line for free. Talk with local realtors and insurance companies...
I highly recommend looking at Petr's blogs
https://www.photoflightam.com/drone-news-blog/ and listening to his podcast
https://dronephotographypodcast.com/
I have learned tons from him over the past couple years and he is an inspiration to me.
As a lifetime Aviation geek, Airplane/Seaplane pilot, a guy who has been shooting pictures since the 70s and video since the 80s started flying RC helicopters in 2000... you might think I have an advantage, but I assure you it doesn't mean I will be better or more successful at this than you.
If you like it and think you would enjoy making a $ at it. go for it.
Mike