Hello from Chicago

VantagePoint · Dec 11, 2024

Hey all, had been a minor hobbyist for a while but recently decided to go big. Starting a drone business in the Chicago area. Any tips?

old man mavic · Dec 11, 2024

welcome to the forum

Hauptmann · Dec 11, 2024

Welcome to the forum, VantagePoint, from Hauptmann in Hurst Texas!

Lykus · Dec 11, 2024

Welcome to the forum!

You need to get professional accessories first to look professional before your clients.

MA2 317 · Dec 11, 2024

Hello from the Crossroads of America VantagePoint

Welcome to the Forum.

LoudThunder · Dec 11, 2024

VantagePoint said:
a minor hobbyist for a while but recently decided to go big.

First off, if you are not Part 107 certified, get that certification. Get associated with the various drone associations in your area (clubs, meet-ups, etc…). Facebook is one source of advertising and there are Drone groups out there. Here is one such link to the "Illinois Drone Pilot Group"

Log into Facebook

This is your first posting and you described yourself as a "minor hobbyist" so if you are serious, get ahead of the power curve and learn all that you can about the business and the legal use of drones (both local and federal laws).

A National Hobby Chain in my local area is heavy into RC Aircraft but only sells toy drones. Until 6-months ago, they were telling their customers that Remote Identification (RID) was only required on professional drones… And all their RC Aircraft customers were told RID was not needed in their aircraft (planes, helicopters, etc) because their expected those folk to only fly at the local AMA Field which is a FRIA. IF you fly outside the FRIA, it is required on all aircraft that weigh 250-grams and up…

Also know that you might need to also have "experts" on staff to repair drones and be sure they know more about electronics than fixing old broken phones and tablets…

Good Luck