Fear of the FAA?

They are afraid of the FAA

I have been talking to UAS/Drone pilots across the country and I mean hundreds of them and they are flying and making money. Then I start introducing the opportunity to surveyors and oil and gas exploration companies and I hear “What about the FAA?” or “They are afraid of the FAA”.  I got into a debate with the FAA attorney with Stampede Global and the Unmanned Vehicle University about flying for hobby is authorized but flying for profit isn’t but I didn’t want to make her my enemy and I realized that she makes it easy. She is an expert of applying for and getting exemptions and for commercial UAS/Drone operations. There is something called a 333 exemption. The FAA just reduced the requirements from a civilian pilot’s license to a sport pilot license. So I looked up the requirements for a Sport Pilot Licence (Link).

As I was investigating the costs to obtain such a license I stumbled on a link to Gleim Sport Pilot Course for $104.00. Now that is just the test prep and course material. So far the best price for the pilot instructor hours is $30.00 to $40.00 per hour. That is a minimum of 20 hours which come to $600.00 to $800.00. The FAA written test is $150.00 and the practical test is $450.00. If you can find a flight instructor who charges these rates and honors the Gliem Sports Pilots course. You are looking at $1,504.00. I paid more than that for my Series 6 and 63 Exams. George Sigler is currently at the Sun and Fun Air Show in Lakeland Florida, the second largest airshow in the country. There have been approximately 1,890 authorizations filed and approved through the FAA. What is there to be scared of?

 

If you need any further assistance feel free to contact Lisa Ellman

1900 K Street NW

Washington, DC 20006

TEL: 202.496.7184
FAX: 202.496.7756

lellman@mckennalong.com