This presentation provides fundamental information to realtors that are not familiar with the Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate required for commercial operation.

1. Uphapee Drone Company, LLC
1564 County Road 309, Georgetown, FL
Cell: 240-298-2139
www.uphapeedrone.com
Uphapee Drone Company, LLC
1564 County Road 309, Georgetown, FL
1564 County Road 309, Georgetown, FL
Uphapee Drone Company, LLC
1564 County Road 309, Georgetown, FL
Drone Fundamentals for the Realtor
P Prepared for: The Real Estate Community
P Prepared by: Robert L. Baker, P.E.
April, 2024

2. Prologue
1. This presentation has been prepared for realtors that DO NOT hold an FAA
Part 107 remote pilot certificate.
2. The intent is to provide realtors with fundamental information for the
purposes of:
A. Understanding basic regulations regarding commercial drone operations
C. Risk management
3. Website references are identified by parentheses ().
B. Become aware of the fundamental concepts of basic airspace and critical
infrastructure

3. Why a Part 107 Certificate
1. The FAA requires commercial drone operators to hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot
Certificate. (1)
2. A commercial transaction is not limited just to cash dollar, but includes anything
[material goods, services, compensation] of monetary value . (2)
3. Realtors taking drone images with the intent to promote the sale of a property
also requires a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
Note:
A. The FAA can impose a significant penalty for violating the Part 107 requirement

4. How to Obtain a Part 107 Certificate
1. The FAA issues a Part 107 certificate after passing a written exam. (1)
2. The exam is administered by an authorized FAA testing center.
3. Flight schools are the more common testing centers, but colleges and
universities that offer aviation programs may also serve as proctors.
4. Courses are available for exam preparation. These courses are not
required to take the exam, but are highly beneficial.
Note:
A. If no experience with aeronautical charts, a course is essential. (opinion)

5. Part 107 Credentials
1. A Part 107 certificate is a public record that can be verified through the FAA
and is valid for a two period. (3)
Example of a renewal certificate
Example of an actual certificate

6. 2. Validating an operator’s credentials helps to mitigate risk.
Part 107 Credentials (cont)
Updated certificate due to
address change
Most Current

7. Part 107 Key Regulations for Realtors to Know
1. There are a few key regulations for realtors to know:
B. Drone operation is normally limited to a maximum altitude to 400 ft Above
Ground Level (AGL).
Note:
b. Although 400ft may be authorized per the flight charts, it may not
necessarily be safe to do.
A. Drone operators must maintain visual contact at all times.
C. Horizontal range is limited to 1500ft.
Note:
c. It is difficult to see small drones beyond 800 to 900ft. (unaided eyesight)

8. D. Drone operators are required to report accidents to the FAA if there is
personal injury requiring medical treatment and/or property damage exceeds
$500.
Part 107 Key Regulations for Realtors to Know (cont)
E. Drones are required to be registered
with the FAA – the registration is valid
for three years.

9. Part 107 Key Regulations for Realtors to Know (cont)
G. The drone must be equipped with a strobe light that is visible for 3 statue miles.
F. Drone operators can now fly at night without the need to submit an operation waiver
request to the FAA.
Note:
g. Mavic Pro 2 retrofitted with a Lume
Cube strobe to meet FAA requirements.

10. Airspace Classification
1. The FAA defines three main classes of airspace to be aware of: (4)
a. Bravo: large high volume airports - Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angles, Miami
b. Charlie: smaller, but still high volume - Birmingham, Chattanooga, Knoxville
c. Delta: regional airports with limited commercial traffic – Asheville, Tri-Cities
2. For drone operation, the FAA designates the airspace within a 5 mile radius of
these airports as “Controlled Airspace”.
3. Drone operators can fly in some portions [not all] of Controlled Airspace, but
written FAA authorization is required.

11. Why Airspace Classification is Important for Bravo, Charlie, and Delta
1. This pictorial is an excerpt from an aeronautical sectional chart representing
Jacksonville International Airport.
2. The outer edge of this circle represents
a 5 mile radius from the airport.
3. The space within this radius is
“Controlled Airspace”.
Note:
A. This chart illustrates “why” an exam
course is most often necessary if no
experience with aeronautical charts.

12. Requesting FAA Authorization for Controlled Airspace
1. A drone operator has two means to request flight authorization in Controlled Airspace:
A. Through an automated system based on a mobile app
B. Direct through the FAA’s website
2. Most commercial airports are on the automated system and approvals can literally
be obtained in a few seconds.
3. Military airfields are not on the automated system and require website authorizations
which can take a few business days.

13. Requesting FAA Authorization for Controlled Airspace (cont)
Excerpt example of an automated approval
Excerpt example of a website approval
1. If a property is “near” an airport, ask if the property is in controlled airspace.
2. If the answer is “yes” request a copy of the authorization document.
Recommendation:

14. Drone Laws
1. Drone laws vary from state to state, but are generally similar.
2. Most states require only an FAA Part 107 Certificate for commercial operations.
3. North Carolina is an example where a state issued certificate is required in addition
to Part 107. (5)
4. Municipalities typically impose drone restrictions.
5. The National Park Service prohibits drone operation from federal parks and
monuments.
6. Some states (i.e. Florida) follow the federal lead with regard to state parks, but
others (i.e. Tennessee) leave to the discretion of the park manager.

15. Liability
1. Drones are a risky business by their very nature.

16. Liability
5. Flight liability insurance is available for drone operators.
3. Someone will pay for that injury and/or damage.
4. As a realtor, you do not want that “someone” to be yourself or respective agency.
6. Flight liability insurance is neither an FAA nor state regulatory requirement (at least
in Tennessee).
7. You as the client can require it.
2. A drone crash has the potential to cause serious personal injury and/or property
damage.

17. No-Drone Zone: Overview
Some circles prefer the
term “No-Fly” zone.
Note:

21. No-Fly Zone: Federal Installations
1. Some federal installations maintain restricted airspace.
2. Drone operators must exercise extreme caution when flying near these areas.

22. Marketing Strategy
1. Marketing a property requires a strategy.
2. Drone operation may or may not be
conducive to a strategy.
3. Properties in the “open” or with limited
tree coverage are generally good drone
candidates (in most cases).
4. Properties that are “treebound” (heavily
surrounded by trees) are not good
drone candidates.
Example of a treebound property

23. Research and Validation
1. The drone operator is fully responsible to research and validate that drone
operations at a given location are permissible.
3. The drone operator must notify the client of the research results.
4. In most cases, notification via phone, text, or Email is sufficient.
2. The drone operator is also responsible to obtain FAA authorizations if necessary.

24. Summary
1. Drone operators cannot fly anywhere at anytime – there are limitations and
restrictions.
2. The drone operator is fully responsible for researching and validating that
flight operations are permitted at a given location.
3. Drone operators are responsible for obtaining FAA authorizations to fly in
Controlled Airspace, if necessary.
5. Realtors should evaluate a property to determine if it is a good drone candidate.
4. To help mitigate risks, the recommendations to realtors are:
A. Verify that a drone operator’s credentials are within two years of current date.
C. Require flight liability insurance.
B. Verify that the current date is within three years of the drone’s registration
expiration.

25. References
https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/become_a_drone_pilot
1. Federal Aviation Administration. (2022, June 6th) Retrieved from
2. How the FAA Defines “Commercial Use”. (2011, June 3rd) Retrieved from
https://diydrones.com/profiles/blogs/how-the-faa-defines-
commercial#:~:text=%22%20The%20FAA%20has%20consistently%20defined%20commercial
%20operation,any%20intent%20or%20ability%20to%20make%20a%20profit
3. Airmen Inquiry Search Page. Retrieved from
https://amsrvs.registry.faa.gov/airmeninquiry/

26. References (cont)
5. Drone Laws in North Carolina (2022). (N.D) Federal Drone Laws in
North Carolina. NORTH CAROLINA DRONE REGULATIONS. Retrieved
from
https://uavcoach.com/drone-laws-north-Carolina/
4. ENR 1.4 ATS Airspace Classification. Retrieved from
https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip_html/part2_enr_section_1.4.html