Drones have become an essential tool for real estate marketing, construction documentation, land surveys, and event coverage. But here is something many people do not realize when they start looking for a drone pilot: commercial drone operations in the United States require federal certification. If the pilot you hire is not FAA Part 107 certified, the entire operation is illegal, and the consequences can extend well beyond the pilot to you as the client who commissioned the work.
Before you book anyone to fly a drone for your business, property listing, or project, you need to understand what Part 107 means and why it is non-negotiable. This guide covers everything you need to know, from certification basics to Ohio-specific regulations and the questions you should ask before signing a contract.
What Is FAA Part 107?
FAA Part 107, formally known as the Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) rule, is the federal regulation that governs all commercial drone operations in the United States. It was established in 2016 and has been updated multiple times since. Under Part 107, anyone who flies a drone for commercial purposes, meaning any flight that is not purely recreational, must hold a Remote Pilot Certificate issued by the FAA.
To earn this certificate, a pilot must pass a 60-question aeronautical knowledge test at an FAA-approved testing center. The exam covers a broad range of topics critical to safe drone operation:
- Airspace classifications and regulations -- understanding the National Airspace System, sectional charts, and where drones can legally operate
- Weather theory and its effects on flight -- how wind, visibility, cloud cover, and atmospheric conditions impact drone performance and safety
- Drone loading and performance -- weight limits, center of gravity, and how environmental factors affect flight characteristics
- Emergency procedures -- responding to communication failures, GPS loss, flyaway scenarios, and equipment malfunctions
- Crew resource management -- coordinating with visual observers and managing multi-person drone operations
- Federal regulations -- altitude limits, visual line of sight requirements, night operations, and flight over people restrictions
The certificate must be renewed every 24 calendar months through a recurrent knowledge test. Pilots must also register their drones with the FAA and comply with Remote ID requirements. This is not a casual credential. It requires genuine study and a solid understanding of aviation fundamentals.
Why It Matters for Your Project
You might assume that certification is the pilot's responsibility, not yours. That is only partially true. When you hire an uncertified drone operator for a commercial project, the consequences can extend directly to you as the client.
Legal liability. The FAA can impose civil penalties on anyone involved in an unauthorized commercial drone operation. If you knowingly hire an uncertified pilot, or if an incident occurs during an unlicensed flight on your property, you could face legal exposure. Fines for unauthorized commercial drone flights can reach tens of thousands of dollars, and in cases involving reckless operation, criminal charges are possible. You can be held liable as the party that commissioned illegal commercial drone activity.
Insurance requirements. Most commercial liability insurance policies that cover drone operations require the pilot to hold a current Part 107 certificate. If an uncertified pilot causes property damage or injury during a shoot on your property, insurance claims are likely to be denied. This leaves you personally and financially exposed for any damages that occur.
Quality assurance. A Part 107 certified pilot understands weather patterns, optimal lighting conditions, airspace restrictions, and safe operating procedures. This knowledge translates directly into better results for your project. Certified pilots know when conditions are too windy for stable footage, when cloud cover will produce flat and unusable images, and how to plan flights that maximize the quality of every shot.
Airspace authorization. Many locations in Ohio fall within controlled airspace that requires specific FAA authorization before a drone can fly. A certified pilot understands how to obtain LAANC (Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability) approval and, when necessary, how to apply for airspace waivers. Some areas near airports, military installations, and government facilities require these authorizations. An uncertified operator may not even realize authorization is required, putting your project at risk of federal enforcement action.
What to Ask Before Hiring a Drone Pilot
Before you sign a contract or hand over a deposit, ask these five questions. A legitimate, professional drone photography or videography provider will have no hesitation answering any of them.
"Can I see your Part 107 certificate?" Every certified pilot receives a physical card and a digital record in the FAA's database. Ask to see it and verify that the certificate is current, meaning it has been renewed within the past 24 months. You can also verify certifications through the FAA's Airmen Inquiry database online. If a pilot hesitates, deflects, or claims they do not need one, walk away immediately.
"Do you carry liability insurance?" Professional drone operators carry dedicated drone liability insurance, typically with coverage of $1 million or more per occurrence. This insurance protects both the pilot and you in case of property damage, personal injury, or other incidents during the flight. General business insurance does not always cover drone operations, so ask specifically about drone liability coverage.
"Can you provide a Certificate of Insurance (COI)?" A COI is a document issued by the pilot's insurance company that proves active coverage and can list you or your organization as an additionally insured party. Many commercial property managers, event venues, and real estate brokerages require a COI before allowing any drone operation on their property. A professional operator should be able to provide one within 24 to 48 hours of request.
"Have you flown in this area before?" Local experience matters significantly. A pilot familiar with your area understands the airspace classifications, common weather patterns, nearby restricted zones, and the best times of day for optimal lighting. Familiarity with regional terrain and conditions translates directly into better planning and better results.
"What is your equipment and backup plan?" Professional pilots carry backup batteries, often a backup drone, and have contingency plans for weather delays and equipment failures. Ask what drone platform they use, how many batteries they bring to each shoot, and what happens if weather forces a reschedule. A serious operator plans for the unexpected and communicates that plan to you upfront.
Ohio-Specific Drone Regulations
Beyond federal Part 107 rules, Ohio has its own drone-related legislation that affects commercial operations within the state.
Ohio House Bill 77. HB 77, signed into law in 2017, established the state's framework for drone regulation. One of its most significant provisions is state preemption of local drone laws. This means that individual cities and counties in Ohio cannot create their own drone ordinances that conflict with state or federal regulations. This preemption simplifies operations for commercial drone pilots working across multiple jurisdictions within the state, but it also means the state and federal rules are the governing authority.
Privacy considerations. Ohio law addresses drone-related privacy through existing voyeurism and trespassing statutes. While there is no standalone "drone privacy law," using a drone to conduct surveillance of private property or individuals without consent can trigger criminal charges under existing privacy protections. Professional operators understand these boundaries and conduct flights in a manner that respects privacy while achieving project objectives. This includes careful framing of shots to focus on the target property.
Restricted areas. Ohio is home to several restricted airspace zones that require special attention from drone operators. Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton maintains significant restricted and prohibited airspace. Other restricted zones exist near nuclear facilities, correctional institutions, and certain government buildings throughout the state. Commercial drone pilots operating in Ohio must be aware of these restrictions and plan flights accordingly. The LAANC system handles most controlled airspace authorizations, but some areas require direct coordination with the FAA or facility operators.
Red Flags When Hiring a Drone Pilot
Not every drone operator advertising services online is operating legally or professionally. Watch for these warning signs that should make you look elsewhere:
No certification. If a pilot cannot produce a current Part 107 certificate, do not hire them. There are no exceptions to this requirement for commercial operations. Claims like "I do not need one because the drone is small" or "I am still working on getting it" are not acceptable. No certification means an illegal operation.
No insurance. Uninsured drone operations expose you to direct liability. A pilot who does not carry insurance is either cutting corners or not operating as a legitimate business. Drone liability insurance is not prohibitively expensive for working professionals. If someone says they do not carry it, that tells you something about how they run their operation.
Unusually low prices. If a quote comes in dramatically lower than the market rate, there is usually a reason. The pilot may lack proper certification, insurance, or professional equipment. They may be using consumer-grade drones that produce inferior results. Quality aerial media requires real investment in equipment, training, insurance, and editing tools. That investment is reflected in fair pricing.
No portfolio. A professional drone operator should have a body of work they can share with prospective clients. If they cannot show you examples of previous projects, you have no way to evaluate their skill level or the quality of their deliverables. Ask for samples that are similar to your project type.
Flying in restricted areas without authorization. If a pilot suggests flying in an area that requires authorization and does not mention the authorization process, that is a serious red flag. Unauthorized flights in controlled or restricted airspace can result in federal enforcement actions and compromise the safety of manned aircraft. A professional pilot will proactively explain any authorization requirements for your location.
Why Choose Horizon Heights Productions
At Horizon Heights Productions, we take certification, safety, and professionalism seriously because your project depends on it.
FAA Part 107 certified. Our pilots hold current FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificates and stay up to date on all regulatory changes. You can verify our credentials at any time, and we are happy to provide documentation before any project begins.
Fully insured. We carry comprehensive drone liability insurance with $1 million in coverage per occurrence. We provide Certificates of Insurance on request for any project, typically within 24 hours. Your property and your project are protected.
COI available on request. Whether you need a standard COI or need us listed as an additional insured on a project-specific basis, we handle these requests routinely and promptly.
Experienced in the Mid-Ohio Valley. Based in Marietta, Ohio, we know the local airspace, weather patterns, and terrain intimately. This local expertise means faster project planning, better compositions, and fewer weather-related delays. We serve the entire Mid-Ohio Valley and Southeast Ohio region.
48-hour turnaround. Standard photo delivery is within 48 hours of the shoot. We also offer rush delivery when your timeline demands it. Our professional equipment includes redundant systems and backup gear on every shoot, so equipment issues never delay your project.
Ready to Hire a Certified Drone Pilot?
Hiring a drone pilot without verifying their Part 107 certification and insurance is a risk that is not worth taking. The legal, financial, and quality consequences are real. The good news is that vetting a professional operator is straightforward: ask for the certificate, ask for proof of insurance, review their portfolio, and make sure they understand the airspace and regulations in your area.
If you are planning a project that involves aerial photography, drone videography, or any other commercial drone service in Ohio, we would be glad to answer your questions and provide a no-obligation quote.
Contact Horizon Heights Productions for a free consultation or call us directly at (304) 543-3081. You can also visit our pricing page to explore packages and see exactly what is included.