Are Your drone pilots licensed?
- beth396
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 15 hours ago
Do drone Photographers Need to Be Licensed? What Realtors Must Know Before Booking
If you’re using drone photography for your real estate listings, there’s one critical question you should always ask:
Is your drone photographer licensed and insured?
The answer matters more than most agents realize—because hiring an unlicensed drone pilot isn’t just risky… it could also be illegal.
Yes—Drone Photographers Must Be FAA Licensed
For any commercial use of drones, including real estate photography, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires pilots to hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate.
This isn’t optional.
A licensed drone pilot has completed FAA-required training and passed an exam that covers:
Airspace regulations
Weather conditions
Flight operations
Safety procedures
In short, they understand how to operate a drone safely and legally.
Why This Matters for Realtors and Brokers
If a drone pilot is not licensed, the liability doesn’t just fall on them—it can extend to others involved in the transaction.
That may include:
The listing agent
The brokerage
Even the homeowner
If something goes wrong—whether it’s property damage, injury, or a violation of FAA regulations—you could find yourself pulled into a legal situation.
Insurance Is Just as Important as Licensing
Licensing is only part of the equation.
Professional drone photographers should also carry liability insurance to protect against:
Property damage
Accidental injury
Equipment-related incidents
Without insurance, any damage caused during a shoot could become a much bigger issue for everyone involved.
What to Look for in a Drone Photographer
Before hiring a drone photographer, make sure they can confirm:
✔ FAA Part 107 certification
✔ Active liability insurance
✔ Experience with real estate marketing
If they can’t provide this information, it’s worth reconsidering.
What Sets Gress Photography Apart?
At Gress Photography, every one of our drone photographers is:
FAA Part 107 licensed
Fully insured
Experienced in capturing real estate properties safely and professionally
We take compliance and safety seriously—so you never have to worry about what’s happening behind the scenes.
Why This Is Especially Important in Today’s Market
Drone photography has become a standard part of real estate marketing, but not all providers operate at the same level.
Choosing a qualified, licensed professional ensures:
Your listing is marketed effectively
Your clients are protected
Your business avoids unnecessary risk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Part 107 license?
It’s an FAA certification required for anyone flying drones for commercial purposes, including real estate photography.
Can hobby drone pilots shoot real estate listings?
No. Once money or business use is involved, FAA Part 107 certification is required.
Do drone photographers need insurance?
While not federally required, insurance is strongly recommended and considered a professional standard.
How can I verify a drone pilot’s license?
You can ask for their certificate or verify them through the FAA database.
Serving Realtors Across Central Pennsylvania
We proudly work with agents in:
Lancaster County
Berks County
Lebanon County
Schuylkill County
And all surrounding areas
Have Questions About Drone Photography?
If you’re unsure about drone licensing, safety, or how to incorporate aerial images into your listings, we’re happy to help.
At Gress Photography, we’re committed to helping you market your listings with confidence, and without unnecessary risk.
👉 Visit www.GressPhotography.com or reach out anytime.
Read transcript:
Speaker 1 0:03
Hey, it's Media Minutes with Beth at Gress photography. Let's get started from the fishbowl. We have another question. This one is, are your drone pilots license? Hell yeah, they're licensed. Oh my gosh. So there is a rule if you're using any aerial photo to market a property, it's a commercial use of that drone. You have to be licensed by the FAA. It's called the part 107 license. It's like an online class, trust me, it was no picnic. I learned almost how to fly a friggin airplane, and it's crazy.
Speaker 1 0:40
It's crazy what we had to learn in order to be able to be licensed to fly a drone. So all five of us, all five of our photographers, are licensed and insured drone pilots, and it's really important to think about it, because, heaven forbid somebody got hurt, the drone crashed, hurt somebody, damaged somebody's property. We're all licensed. We are all insured to protect us from anything that could go wrong. If you're using a different drone pilot, you better find out if they're licensed and if they're carrying insurance, because if something bad happens, you know that homeowner is not just going after us as the photographer, but they're going to go after you and your broker as well. So please, please make sure that your drone pilot is licensed and insured. If you have any other questions, by all means, stick it in your comments here or shoot me a DM. But this is Beth with your Media Minute. Have a great day.
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