Ok, A lot more responses than I expected, but I really appreciate everyone putting in an input into this because I do find this interesting and would like to know more about it.
First things first, I'm in the UK, therefore CAA rules. But it is very interesting to hear about the FAA side of it as well. I've been watching a lot of Ken Heron videos on youtube and that's very interesting as well as the FAA and CAA try to be similar, but there are many differences in policies and complete horse #### policies. (I should know, I use to write them)
I do like what @
zocalo said, and I agree, I was going to wait until the drone registration from the CAA comes into play and then see what happens afterwards into next year? I did not know about the EA new policy which might come in, I may have heard something similar about it, but unsure as it was thrown out in a particular case and I've just had the SSC UAV Team contact me telling me, and I quote
"I am not entirely sure what shutterstock is? We do allow people to put footage online however if any money is exchanged this would be classed as a commercial operation and you would need to apply for a PFCO"
I haven't responded to them because it was a short and stupid and no margin for compromise between Commercial and Hobbyist.. There is nothing in between?? You either spend hundreds or thousands of pounds and hope to get some work, depending if you have the right drone and equipment, or you just fly with limits?.. I do want to ask if they would have a separate category in the future, but personally it feels to me they are trying to put off a lot of people from buying a drone, or thinking about getting into the industry in the first place??. The way I'm reading into it, It looks like it's only for elitist and large corporations, a private club where if you can afford to splash out on equipment you're in.. Anyway Rant over lol
I did wonder about the monitoring of aerial photography as well
Dirkclod.. How would they monitor you? The FAA and the CAA are not going to police you, even the police in this country won't even bother.. Just some sad sap in the office trolling through the internet and email you a warning?...
Also I do understand that just selling single or a couple of photos on the web isn't going to make me any money unless I include it with other things like other photographic, editing business, but to be honest, the more I look into it, the more I see how little it is used and a complete waste of money unless I am into the a range of skills where I can utilise the footage and be into the business plan 100%. Again, pointless using it in my business because someone will shoot down my drone.. (one of my customers would see it as a potential target lol, not kidding) But there is that fine line where if you have the intent to gain prior to flight, but what happens if I takes lots of pictures and later down the line I decide to sell them because someone months later says, hey I like your photo, can I use it? (loophole - if you are already considering the possibility of putting the images online for gain *prior* to the flight - which the OP clearly is - then legally you require a PfCO. ) How would they monitor this?
Doing something little on the side is absolutely pointless, with taking the NQE course (which isn't even a license compared to the FAA 107) then paying the CAA £280 a year for permission, and then insurance, maintenance, additional equipment, it is much like running a car... except the Remote Pilot "permission" is even more as you will need to drive to your location, so you're spending more overall. @
Mavaic, our UK version isn't even a license, it's a permission slip!... If it was an actual license, I would look at getting it, but it's not..
Just so you know, I'm not going to post and try to sell pictures, just like I won't fly my drone in restrict areas, fly in places I shouldn't. I've worked in the Aviation Industry long enough that I won't cross that line until I'm sure I'm allowed to do it.
Overall, everything everyone has said has been helpful and interesting to read. I really do think flight workshops should be introduced, getting people to understand by doing. While they are flying you can tell them straight away the do's and don'ts, people listen more and take it in more when they are shown how to do it, rather than, hey read this massive text book and understand it!?....
The NQE in the UK sounds like I'm doing my PPL (Private Pilot License) all over again... Except I have to fly myself and without any assistance, then have to demonstrate my ability to an assessor (in all honesty, I haven't looked too much into the flight part of the NQE)
Anyway, there was a lot I haven't covered in the other messages I skimmed over, I will look at it in the morning. Please excuse my writing being all over the place, it's 1:18am in the morning and I'm trying to answer everyone's messages at the same time
www.ppa.com
