Help, is it typical to act as PIC for another business?

[JMerrick]

Hello everyone!

I've had my Part 107 for about a year. I pursued this to sell prints and potentially further other business aspirations I have in the future.

I was approached about flying for a business that is well outside my field of knowledge and they want to use software I'm also unfamiliar with (Strayos). After explaining this, they said they'd like me to come on so they have a part 107 pilot, work with their crew to get them familiar with the drone, and help with the integration of this software. I quoted them an hourly rate that I felt was higher than I'm worth, and they accepted.

Is it a normal thing for a business to seek out an existing Part 107? I'd never really considered catering to businesses until this opportunity presented itself. What do you think would be an appropriate hourly rate if they provide the equipment (DJI Phantom 4) and I'm just essentially directing/teaching. Also any feedback relating to the software would be great. I have cursory knowledge of photogrammetry, although it is something I want to dive into with my recent upgrade to the Air 3.

 

[Felix le Chat]

Is this a new mining/drilling/stockpile startup? For that kind of work, I think the minimum they'll require is a phantom 4 RTK and a D-RTK2 mobile station but the ideal bird for jobs like this would be an M300 carrying a P1 camera. Straytos is quite sophisticated software. It also looks to be a pretty steep learning curve for photogrammetry. An interesting proposition for you to walk into at the ground floor level.

What it sounds like is that they need a certified operator to give them credibility. If you're happy with what they've offered: go for it and embrace the challenge!

 

[Cafguy]

What it sounds like is that they need a certified operator to give them credibility. If you're happy with what they've offered: go for it and embrace the challenge!

sounds like a good foot in the door I would do it. I have been to 2 different companies now just to show them what it takes to get started. I suspect that many companies hire 107 pilots for training purposes.

Late question BUT Where do they want you to fly? and who Provides your Drone insurance? remember you will be using yours Perhaps thats one of the reasons they don't" In house" it?

 

[RangerEd]

This is a new and burgeoning industry. There many different roads you can take. Take the opportunity that comes your way; make the best of it.

 

[HoozierDroneDaddy]

sounds like a good foot in the door I would do it. I have been to 2 different companies now just to show them what it takes to get started. I suspect that many companies hire 107 pilots for training purposes.

Late question BUT Where do they want you to fly? and who Provides your Drone insurance? remember you will be using yours Perhaps thats one of the reasons they don't" In house" it?

Also keep in mind, if your the PIC, then you are responsible for the actions of any other pilots they use under your 107. So you need to be firm with rules and regs.

 

[JMerrick]

Sorry for the late update, but an update either way. Went with them a couple times: flew my drone a lot and worked with the guys they want to get Part 107 Certified on using theirs. Overall, it was a great experience but I'm not seeing it as a long term thing.

We used a base and rover for GCP's, no one knew what they were doing and we barely had cell service to visit YouTube Academy . I doubt they'll realize the full potential of the software, their guys were comfortable cutting corners with the GCP's and just estimating crucial data points. I believe their approach to drone operations will be similar, unfortunately.

I hope to hear back from them after they get formal training on the software but I may have priced myself to high for that.