Need help navigating regulatory requirements. Section 336 or Part 107?

[Melor]

From what I understand, I must register my soon to be arriving drone (Mavic PP later today according to UPS ). When I was looking around on the "Getting Started" page of the FAA, I saw that there are two options for flying my drone. I plan on flying for fun and am interested in shooting stills and maybe getting involved with video. I would like to be able to post images and videos online on my website other websites or on YouTube or Vimeo. I have NO interest in tangling with the federal government.

FAA Getting Started

Given my use of the drone, it would seem that drone registration is needed while a remote pilots license is not. Are both halves of that statement accurate?
Can you register your drone under Part 107 without getting a remote pilots license?
Also am I better registering under Section 336 or Part 107?

My research seems to indicate that for my usage I can simply register my drone under section 336 and call it a day. Dissenting opinions are very welcome.

Thanks, Paul

<EDIT> I pulled the trigger on the Section 336 registration, which seems to register me as a modeler and not actually the drone. I suppose I can always add on the Part 107 registration which seems to be drone specific if I decide I want to get the remote pilots license in the future.
</EDIT>

 

[msinger]

If you're not going to fly for commercial purposes (to make money or help someone else make money), then you should register under Section 336.

 

[Melor]

Thanks for your awesome fast reply. Advice.... TAKEN....

Paul

 

[Melor]

If you're not going to fly for commercial purposes (to make money or help someone else make money), then you should register under Section 336.

Just out of curiosity as my YouTube channel is not monetized, but I am assuming that commercial purposes would involve posting to a monetized channel or selling a print of an image shot from the drone. I am not particularly concerned as I have only sold a dozen or so prints shot with my camera over the past 20 years but that is my assumption.

Paul

 

[msinger]

I am assuming that commercial purposes would involve posting to a monetized channel or selling a print of an image shot from the drone

Both of those sound like commercial activity to me. Reach out the the FAA directly if you have any doubts.

 

[FLPilotshark]

I just ordered my Study book from the Drone Boss to help me pass my Airmen FAA 107 Exam! It got some really solid reviews on passing the exam the first time.
Since I already have a few nice projects set up with some builders, Car lots and realtors i am going to proceed on taking the exam. Wish me luck...
Wish me luck!

 

[Melor]

I just ordered my Study book from the Drone Boss to help me pass my Airmen FAA 107 Exam! It got some really solid reviews on passing the exam the first time.
Since I already have a few nice projects set up with some builders, Car lots and realtors i am going to proceed on taking the exam. Wish me luck...
Wish me luck!

Good luck to you!

Paul

 

[tcope]

The FAA's current stance is that they don't have any plans for going after people who post videos on YT. Technically this could be considered commercial use but personally, I'd not worry about it if you are a smaller channel. If a person were using the channel to advertise their business, perhaps that would be a different story.

 

[DanMan32]

Also occasionally and incidentally selling a photo when that wasn't originally the intent of the flight probably won't be an issue. opinions vary on this point however.

 

[Melor]

Also occasionally and incidentally selling a photo when that wasn't originally the intent of the flight probably won't be an issue. opinions vary on this point however.

This is the point that worries me the most. Not that I sell a lot of photos but my concern is here.

 

[John Suhr]

The FAA's current stance is that they don't have any plans for going after people who post videos on YT. Technically this could be considered commercial use but personally, I'd not worry about it if you are a smaller channel. If a person were using the channel to advertise their business, perhaps that would be a different story.

But they do go after people who post videos over no fly zones like state parks.

 

[kissmybrass]

But they do go after people who post videos over no fly zones like state parks.

yet,,,,,, the interweb is forever

 

[John Suhr]

I love flying over a mountain near my house but it is 4.5 miles from the airport I stay at mountain height and there is a series of red structures like Stonehenge at the top which as I understand are a guidance system for pilots. I probably should not fly over but it certainly is interesting and there is no no fly zone. I fear putting it on utube wouldn’t be the best idea though. Anybody seen that ?