Commercial sUAS (drone) photographers/videographers

Any of you on here? I know the FAA started doing exemptions. I purchased a DJI Phantom 3 Professional as I figured it would be a good addition to my photography arsenal for the price and it's a niche out my way that seemingly hasn't been filled.

How big of a hassle is it to get an exemption if you have and what kind of experiences have you had in your fields?

I have a P3P as well. Wanted to go for the 333 but under the current rules, you are supposed to be at least a sport pilot or have someone on staff who is to operate the quad. I'm not and didn't want to go through that expense. From what I read, the rules are supposed to change, but no one knows when. The rumors are you will have to pass a test to show you know how to control the quad, but will not have to have a "real" pilot certification.

I talked to a small business at a boat show last summer, their primary income comes from video / stills shot by a P3P and an Inspire 1. They told me their local FAA rep said not to file for the 333 as the rules were being redone, but to continue their business as is until that is announced.

Personally, I am going to wait for the new ruling.

Sorry it doesn't directly answer your questions....but every bit of info might help.

My nephew has a photography business that has morphed into the drone space up in Alberta.

http://www.outlawuav.c​a/

You might connect up and get some useful info from him. I know the rules might be different in Canada.
But networking can't hurt.

WaltA wrote in post #17844708
My nephew has a photography business that has morphed into the drone space up in Alberta.

http://www.outlawuav.c​a/

You might connect up and get some useful info from him. I know the rules might be different in Canada.
But networking can't hurt.

I'll definitely look in to it. That's kind of funny because I came across that site a few days ago when browsing around.

So I requested am 8050-1 from my state flight office. I have several coming in the mail and I'll go from there. Apparently since it's so new with sUAS owners it's a fairly unknown process. There was a free video detailing what you had to do to complete it but it has since gone to paid since they were downloading so much. I think I'll detail my trials on my photography website's blog and see what happens.

My understanding is that your company needs someone with a pilot certificate on site while flying the drone. I know a private pilot would suffice, perhaps someone with a sport pilot certificate could do so. I do know the pilot doesn't need a commercial certificate, nor an IFR rating.

Here is the information from the FAA, with a list o questions (link at the bottom):
https://www.faa.gov …3/how_to_file_a​_petition/