What Do You Do if You See Commercial Enterprise Flying Without Part 107 Certificate

[blabel75]

Just curious to know, how you know these videos on Youtube etc are not done by Part 107 pilots. Trust me, I feel your pain and can relate. But just curious to know. Thanks

I know in the same way the FAA would know. They clearly fly their own drone, are seen in videos with the controller in their hand and talk about it regularly in their videos and social media posts. These are all monetized YouTube channels.

Are you sure? As far as I can see Part 107 certificate holders don't show up in the Registry.

They do. I see my own name in there.

 

[blabel75]

Interesting looking at the poll results. Given the replies here, I suspected it to be 100% to be do nothing. But there are almost as many people that would report them or confront them as there would be to do nothing. I don't really plan to do anything, I was however curious on everyone's thoughts on this.

 

[sar104]

They do. I see my own name in there.

Can you share the link that you are using? I don't show up as Part 107 searching from the regular Airmen Inquiry page, and nor do any of the other Part 107 pilots I tried to look up.

 

[old man mavic]

@blabel75 ,in the UK now the requirement to hold what was a commercial licence ,to be able to monetise and sell the images obtained from a drone ,has been done away with ,anyone can go out purchase say a MM and sell their pics without any advanced certificates ,there is a requirement for flying larger drones that represent a greater hazard based on risk and weight of the drone to obtain a GVC certificate that gives the operator greater scope to fly in restricted airspace with permissions from the CAA, and also the requirement for specialised indemnity insurance cover to be able to undertake such flights

 

[Rich QR]

Are you sure? As far as I can see Part 107 certificate holders don't show up in the Registry.

I just checked on myself, and I show up.

 

[Lets Fly]

I recently obtained my part 107, yet I know of several commercial enterprises, either YouTube channels or companies taking photos for websites that are flying without Part 107 certification. I am just curious what you do. Do you call the FAA? Just ignore it and worry about yourself? Or do you confront them (may not be in person, but perhaps send them an email or DM)

Just kind of frustrating to know that I forked out over $300 and many hours to do this under the confines of the regulation when others just don't bother. One of these enterprises can't claim ignorance because they keep saying they are considering getting their Part 107.

What do you care, if your flying legal that's all you need to do. Do you report every car passing you speeding, which in that case you have a license number. Don't start being jealous of others because you decided to get your 107 and think now everyone else has to abide by what you did. You watch youtube now and want to turn in everyone you "think" is flying and making money without a 107. Get a life, or at least just fly right live your own.

 

[blabel75]

Can you share the link that you are using? I don't show up as Part 107 searching from the regular Airmen Inquiry page, and nor do any of the other Part 107 pilots I tried to look up.

FAA Registry - Airmen - AirmenInquiry - Name Search

amsrvs.registry.faa.gov

 

[blabel75]

Don't start being jealous of others because you decided to get your 107 and think now everyone else has to abide by what you did. You watch youtube now and want to turn in everyone you "think" is flying and making money without a 107. Get a life, or at least just fly right live your own.

Perhaps some of it is jealousy, but it is about everyone else having to abide by what I did. By law, they are required to obtain a Part 107 sUAS certificate if they fly in the USA for commercial purposes. I also don't "think" they are flying illegally, I know people that are. I also know that several break several other regulations like drinking alcohol while flying. I would certainly report a suspected drunk driver on the road.

In the end, reporting someone to the FAA usually doesn't result in fines. They just have to stop flying until they obtain their certificate.

 

[sar104]

I just checked on myself, and I show up.

FAA Registry - Airmen - AirmenInquiry - Name Search

amsrvs.registry.faa.gov

Well that is very interesting. I checked again for myself and 4 other Part 107 pilots that I work with. Only one of them shows up in that system. So at the very least I would have to conclude that it is not a reliable method to check for Part 107 certification.

 

[blabel75]

Well that is very interesting. I checked again for myself and 4 other Part 107 pilots that I work with. Only one of them shows up in that system. So at the very least I would have to conclude that it is not a reliable method to check for Part 107 certification.

Very possible, it is a government run database afterall. I have also found that sometimes a simple last name search (without state) turns up different results and I have done back to back searches where one search won't find the person one right after it will.

Results also look different if you only have your temporary certificate.

 

[Corsair415]

Do nothing, not your job... or do you turn in everybody that you see doing something you think is wrong? they have a name for that... tattletale.

Wait, you don’t call the cops if you see someone jaywalking..?

 

[blabel75]

Interesting that a fourth option was added to the poll. Isn't number 4 and number 2 the same thing?

 

[Thomas B]

Interesting that a fourth option was added to the poll. Isn't number 4 and number 2 the same thing?

Hmmm… think it means don’t even bother to notice or something like that.

 

[kimfoto]

If you recall there is a questions on the test regarding if you were to break the law of the FAA should you contact the FAA an let them know you broke it. The answer was No , that if they decided you broke the law they would come to you.

I kind of follow this as the guidelines they set fourth. So my vote is do nothing. When the FAA is ready to make a move they have 5000 YT channels they can start with.

Phantomrain.org
Gear to fly in the Rain.

The

It sucks but I say live and let live unless they are your direct competition. I have found that most folks that do things illegally don't last long and that another one will always spring up in their place.

The one problem with that is pilots who have done the due diligence are still included with the uninformed misinformed or just plain awnry.
When the FAA wants to create new regs. they will throw out the baby with the bath water. Meaning it’s the worst elements that will be targeted.

 

[SethB]

The biggest challenge any Pt. 107 pilot looking for income faces isn’t unscrupulous operators, it’s developing relationships with clients. I’ve been in the world of conventional video forever; there’s always someone willing to work for a nickel less, to try to gain advantage fairly or unfairly, to badmouth you!

I think the best response is to know who you are, to know what you can do, and reach out and share your work with others. The competition will always be out there, not much to do about that! Badmouthing them is not a solution, it poisons the well for everyone.

 

[Rich QR]

I think the best response is to know who you are, to know what you can do, and reach out and share your work with others. The competition will always be out there, not much to do about that! Badmouthing them is not a solution, it poisons the well for everyone.

Agreed. It wouldn't hurt to advertise that you have an FAA license to fly drones for profit. You can educate potential customers on what the licensing means, and what potential liabilities they may face if they hire a non-licensed operator. If you carry liability insurance (and you definitely should!) you can point that out, and also point out that no insurance company will issue insurance to an unlicensed operator to cover liability for illegal commercial operations.

If, after that eductaion, a potential customer still wants to cut corners and go after the cheapest service, consider carefully whether that's the customer you want to go after.

On the other hand, if you turn in your unlicensed competition, a likely outcome is that they'll get licensed, which eliminates your competitive advantage.

 

[sar104]

Very possible, it is a government run database afterall. I have also found that sometimes a simple last name search (without state) turns up different results and I have done back to back searches where one search won't find the person one right after it will.

Results also look different if you only have your temporary certificate.

Last name search made no difference. I've had my certificate since February 2017, so that's not the explanation.

 

[Tomk_]

I don't have my 107 but I checked the airman database for three pilots who do and all three show up. I don't get any results using last name only, but they show when using both first and last name. Seems to work with just last name and first initial also.

 

[tleedom]

Well that is very interesting. I checked again for myself and 4 other Part 107 pilots that I work with. Only one of them shows up in that system. So at the very least I would have to conclude that it is not a reliable method to check for Part 107 certification.

Agreed;
Found mine, but my Commercial Part 61 issue date is off by 27 yrs. Actual 1983, posted 2010. Could be when the FAA went from paper certificates to plastic, but still a big discrepancy.

 

[LenSavage]

Maybe - if it is an issue with you, I have done this: Message their client(s) and explain the importance of using licensed providers. If a friend or neighbor was going to an unlicensed doctor, I'd warn them of the potential hazards and liability.