Flying your drone for any reason other than recreational use can be considered “commercial use” of a drone. For example, flying a drone to inspect a roof in connection with a roofing business will be considered “commercial use” of a drone and thus will subject the operation of the drone to the following federal regulations set by the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”). It is important to note that “commercial use” of a drone is a broad term and any use other than pure recreational use can be considered to be “commercial use.”
Pilot Requirements
Must be 16 years old,
Must pass an initial aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved knowledge center*, and
Must be vetted by the transportation safety administration (TSA).
*A person who has been issued a pilot certificate under 14 CFR part 61 and has successfully completed a flight review within the last 24 months can complete a Part 107 online training course at www.faasafety.com to satisfy this requirement.
Aircraft Requirements
The drone must be under 55 pounds and must be registered if over .55 pounds (8.8 ounces/246.4 grams).
Operating Rules
Class G airspace only.
Must keep drone in visual line of sight.
Must fly under 400 feet.
Must fly during the day.
Must fly at or below 100 miles per hour.
Must yield right of way to manned aircraft.
Must not fly over people or crowds of people.
Must not fly from a moving vehicle.
Waiver of Operating Rules
The above mentioned Operating Rules for commercial use are subject to waivers. In other words, if the commercial use of your drone requires the ability to operate in violation of the Operating Rules, you can file a waiver with the FAA to be allowed to operate under the prohibited conditions.
District of Columbia Special Restrictions
The District of Columbia is subject to the Special Flight Rules Area (SFRA) which states that any drone use is prohibited within a fifteen (15) mile radius of Ronald Reagan International Airport, unless you have been given specific authorization by the FAA.
Additionally, flying a drone outside of fifteen (15) mile radius but within a thirty (30) mile radius of Ronald Reagan International Airport is allowed only under the following conditions:
Drone must weigh less than 55 pounds.
Drone must be registered with the FAA and marked, unless exempt from registration under the Special Rule for Model Aircraft.
Drone must be flown below 400 feet.
Drone must be flown within visual line of sight.
Drone must be flown in clear and visible conditions.
Drone must never be flown near other aircraft.
Flying Your Drone Near Stadiums and Sporting Events
Flying your drone within 3 nautical miles (3.45 miles) of a stadium, ballpark or venue with seating capacity of 30,000 or more people is prohibited from one hour before the scheduled time of the event to one hour after the end of the event. However, a waiver can be filed with the FAA for use of a drone under these conditions.
Flying Your Drone Near Airports
Flying your drone recreationally within a five (5) mile radius of an airport is allowed if you give notice of the drone use to the airport operator and the air traffic controller, if the airport has an air traffic control tower.
However, it is important to note that flying your drone recreationally around major airports (Class B Airspace) is prohibited unless you receive specific air traffic permission and coordination.