Applied from my PfCO. Could I do a commercial job before it's "granted"

[klexal]

Hey all,

I've passed my necessary assessments to apply for a PfCO, and submitted my Operations Manual to the CAA (UK) with relevant insurance.

I've got a commercial job coming up in the next few days, which require some drone footage. I've double checked with the nearby ATC (because it's in a CTR), and they're totally cool with it.

Technically I've not been granted a PfCO as of yet, but it's pretty much in the bag. Apart from that technicality (as I'm still legally allowed to fly as a hobbyist), do you think it would be okay to fly?

Thanks!

 

[FoxhallGH]

Welcome to the Forum and congrat's on how far you have got with the PfCO ...
I think you know the answer to this one ... That's like "I'm sitting my driving test on Friday Officer, but my Dad said it was OK to take the car out on my own ..."
It's probably OK to do the flight - as long as you do it as a recreational flight - but I'd withhold any photo's and filming that you do until you have the qual's which will then allow you to sell your work commercially. At the end of the day the risk is there and the crucial thing is the intent behind the flight in the first place. If you believe that you aren't going to have somebody in authority come along and tap your shoulder while you are doing the job, then you'll probably get away with it - but it is against the rules.

 

[klexal]

Thanks for the response!

I wouldn't strictly agree with the driving analogy as I've passed my flight assessment, but I understand the principle.

My logic is that I'm legally allowed to fly, and undertaking the flight safely. The only catch is that it's for commercial purposes, rather than recreational. By the time the video footage is published, I'll have my PfCO licence

 

[FoxhallGH]

Understood ... Logic and Law don't often mix! My understanding is that it's the 'Intent' of the flight that it all hinges on.

 

[dannybgoode]

Thanks for the response!

I wouldn't strictly agree with the driving analogy as I've passed my flight assessment, but I understand the principle.

My logic is that I'm legally allowed to fly, and undertaking the flight safely. The only catch is that it's for commercial purposes, rather than recreational. By the time the video footage is published, I'll have my PfCO licence

Well you certainly don’t want to lose it before it’s issued! I’d err on the side of caution.

 

[Mossiback]

It may also depend on the job. If the requirements are certification and insurance you may need to show proof of both before flying.

 

[zocalo]

Thanks for the response!

I wouldn't strictly agree with the driving analogy as I've passed my flight assessment, but I understand the principle.

My logic is that I'm legally allowed to fly, and undertaking the flight safely. The only catch is that it's for commercial purposes, rather than recreational. By the time the video footage is published, I'll have my PfCO licence

Perhaps the driving license example is not the best analogy, but legally "my PfCO is in the post" is very unlikely to hold up if there are any problems. You could, of course, do the flight as a hobbyist, but that raises the equally unclear question of whether you can commercialise footage taken as a hobbyist once you have a PfCO. AFAICT, it's perfectly OK to commercialise footage shot non-commercially once you hold a valid PfCO *provided* that the intent of the original shoot was non-commercial. That is to say you *cannot* deliberately undertake a hobbyist flight with the intention to commercialise the footage later - intent is key.

I'd contact the CAA, taking careful note who you speak to etc., and see if they can clarify and ideally issue some kind of waiver / covernote to enable this opportunity to get your new business off to a quite literal flying start. Failing that, would it be possible to defer the job until the PfCO is official or, if you trust your client, maybe do this for free on the understanding of a bonus on a subsequent job which would ensure the accounting all stays above board? (Which is still highly dodgy on the issue of "intent", but perhaps a bit less so and harder to prove.)

The last thing I'd want having worked for a given license to do something, is any possibility of getting a black mark on it on my very first use. I think my first solo drive never got closer than 5mph to the speed limit, the second, well let's just say I might have pressed the accelerator with a bit more enthusiam.