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The US Federal Aviation Administration started issuing permits for commercial drone use in 2005, and since then, several consumer-level drones have hit the market. You might have heard about how drones are now being used beyond the movie and event industry. These consumer-level drones are faster than ever and can even keep up with a Formula 1 car.
However, you might not know that you can make an entire career by piloting drones or make extra money alongside your full-time career. Imagine how fun it would be to fly an FPV (First-Person-View) drone while tracking an F1 car or navigating it through the skyline of NYC.
So, if you are curious about ways to earn with a drone, you have come to the right place. These fun ideas to make money flying drones are just what you need to add a bit of excitement to your life.
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1. Real Estate Photography and Videography
Real estate is one of the most active industries in the United States, with millions of homes going up for sale every year. In this competitive industry, real estate agents look for exciting ways to set their listings apart from the rest of the competition. Besides the traditional pictures and video walk-throughs, agents are now using drone photography and video content to add a wow factor.
This is where you come in with your mastery of flying a drone. Unsurprisingly, it is a fun job where you capture high-quality aerial images and creative videos. Not only that, a real estate drone photographer can easily make over $35 an hour, depending on where you live and the quality of your drone camera.
2. Wedding and Event Videography
When you think about ways to make money from photography and videography, the first thing that might pop into your head is working in the events and wedding industry. The same is true for drone photography as well.
It can be a full-time career or even a weekend job where you capture beautiful moments like the bride’s entrance or the couple’s first dance on stage using a drone. However, wedding photography is not the only drone job where you can show off your skills. Even most event organizers now have in-house drone operators for recording concerts and outdoor parties.
Have you ever wondered how birds might feel flying over a crowd of thousands at a concert? Well, here is your chance to find out for yourself.
3. Sell Stock Footage and Photos
Selling stock footage and photos is one of the best passive income ideas for a photographer. This idea works even better for drone operators since fewer people record and sell stock drone footage on platforms like iStock and Shutterstock.
There are many genres specifically for drone operators to consider. For example, many movies use generic aerial views of a city like NYC as establishing shots that you can record with a drone. Or you might have a wander bug and want to capture and sell generic footage of scenic locations.
To start, upload your footage on one of the stock websites like Shutterstock or Adobe Stock. Once the footage is accepted and listed on the marketplace, you will be paid for every download.
4. Roof Inspections and Insurance Work
A drone has many uses apart from capturing aerial shots. For example, construction, utility services, and insurance companies commonly hire drone operators to inspect works, buildings, or facilities. Why? Drones can easily access difficult-to-reach spots like the top of the Empire State Building or the Golden Gate Bridge.
Similarly, insurance companies need drone operators to check properties for damage. This is a faster way to get the job done while eliminating the risk factor of doing it manually.
As a drone operator, you will need to keep a few things in mind. To start with, don’t wander outside the legal airspace. Get all the necessary permissions from the client, and respect privacy laws when flying your drone near residential areas.
5. Drone Mapping and Surveying
In drone mapping, you use the sky as a sketchpad to draw detailed maps, which help with surveys. This drone side hustle can be a lot of fun as you get to play with cool tech, visit new places, and meet new people. For example, an environmental group might need you to capture hundreds of high-resolution images of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail to create detailed maps of its trails.
Drone mapping and surveying are also relevant in industries like mining and construction, where they might need you to capture images of a building to create 3D models. These 3D models are created with the help of photogrammetry software like DroneDeploy and Pix4D, and learning this software will help you level up.
6. YouTube Content Creation
One of the best drone business ideas is to start a drone-focused YouTube channel. Now, for this, you have endless options. For example, if you are a traveler, you may as well use your drone to record and post footage of landscapes and scenic views on YouTube.
Maybe you live in NYC and have awe-inspiring aerial footage of the city’s skyline that you want to share with the world. Or, you might be a geek about drone tech and can teach people all about it.
There are several niches you can focus on in your YouTube channel. Similarly, there are many ways to get paid through a channel, apart from monetizing the videos, including advertisements, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. Remember, growing a YouTube channel will require time and patience.
7. Search and Rescue Support
Many federal, state, and local agencies, as well as volunteer organizations, often perform search and rescue missions. Nowadays, many of these agencies need drone operators because drones can cover a larger area in less time. As a skilled drone pilot, you can fly your drone over wilderness, open water, and river rapids to quickly inspect and look for missing persons or assess disasters.
This drone job needs a specialized drone with integrated technology like thermal imaging to make it easier to identify people in trouble. Besides the high-tech drone, you will need specialized training and an FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot certificate to become a search and rescue support drone pilot.
8. Construction Site Monitoring
Drones are extremely helpful in designing 3D models of under-construction buildings. They assist developers and project managers in tracking the daily progress of the construction and performing safety checks. They also help in monitoring the construction materials being utilized, using before-and-after footage.
For example, flying a drone over a construction site once a week allows you to monitor the materials that have been used over the week. It also helps you understand the speed of construction and the areas of focus.
These metrics are needed to create weekly progress reports that are an essential part of construction site monitoring.
Do you need a license for a drone business?
Yes, to fly a drone and start your business, you will need a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) remote pilot certification. This certification is a great way to learn all about the airspace regulations and emergency procedures for legally and safely flying a drone. Talk about a win-win situation!
The certification typically costs around $150 and takes about 3 to 5 weeks from start to finish. However, there are a few requirements to obtain this license. You must:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
- Pass the TSA background check
- Pass the FAA’s Aeronautical Knowledge Test
What’s the best drone to start with?
Some drones are better than others, but all you need to focus on when buying one is camera quality.
When talking about the best, DJI is one of the leading drone manufacturers and a popular name in the photography industry. Its Mavic 3E series is specifically designed for commercial uses and is equipped with the latest specifications, including:
- Wide-angle 4/3 CMOS 20 MP sensor
- 0.7-second interval shooting (for rapid mapping)
- 12 MP zoom camera with 56x hybrid zoom
- Mechanical shutter to reduce motion blur
- 45 minutes of flight time on a single charge
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