Are you FAA Licensed and do you have to be licensed to do work?

Yes. All Pilots for Atlas Aerial Services are FAA Part 107 Licensed and all Pilots carry their FAA Card and documents on all jobs contracted under Atlas Aerial Services. Yes you have to be FAA Licensed for ANY work, whether being paid or being delivered in a trade for services provided. If not the pilot and client will be breaking FAA rules/regs. which fall under the Federal Rules and Procedures and can carry heavy fines and penalties. All of our SUAS's are also registered with the FAA.

 

Do you have to be insured?

Yes. Atlas Aerial Services is insured and uses a company called 'Verifly' to protect our clients liability, as well as liability through our own insurer for our equipment.

 

What is an unmanned aircraft system (sUAS)?

An unmanned aircraft system is an unmanned aircraft and the equipment necessary for the safe and efficient operation of that aircraft. An unmanned aircraft is a component of a UAS. It is defined by statute as an aircraft that is operated without the possibility of direct human intervention from within or on the aircraft (Public Law 112-95, Section 331(8)).

 

What type of sUAS's (drones) do you use?

At Atlas Aerial Services we have many sUAS's and camera systems, which truly depends on the job being presented. This also includes ground photography and video as well. Many of these questions are answered when a project is sent to us. Many of our UAS's are not your "Best Buy" toys which some people try and pass off as professional UAS's.

 

What type of cameras are used for photo and film work?

We use many different types of cameras. This also is dependent on the project which will lead us to the type of camera system we use.

 

Can you fly over a crowd or people in general?

NO. All Flight operations must be conducted at least 500 feet from all nonparticipating persons, vessels, vehicles, and structures. Unless,  Barriers or structures are present that sufficiently protect nonparticipating persons from the sUAS and/or debris in the event of an accident. The pilot must ensure that nonparticipating persons remain under such protection. If a situation arises where nonparticipating persons leave such protection and are within 500 feet of the sUAS, flight operations must cease immediately in a manner ensuring the safety of nonparticipating persons; and the owner/controller of any vessels, vehicles or structures has granted permission for operating closer to those objects and the PIC (Pilot In Charge) has made a safety assessment of the risk of operating closer to those objects and determined that it does not present an undue hazard.

 

Can you work for news media and fly a sUAS to shoot stories or cover breaking news?

Media companies may use a sUAS, but must adhere to the requirements of their Section 333 grant of exemption or the Small sUAS Rule (Part 107). Organizations may request a waiver under Part 107 to fly over people, and will need to provide sufficient mitigations to ensure public safety.

 

Is there a waiver or authorization you need to perform your FAA Part 107 Operations?

Yes, there are waivers we can apply for to the FAA for the following:

​Flying at night (§ 107.29)

Flying directly over a person or people (§ 107.39)

Flying from a moving vehicle or aircraft, not in a sparsely populated area (§ 107.25)

Flying multiple aircraft with only one pilot (§ 107.35)

Flying beyond the pilot's visual line-of-sight (§ 107.31)

Flying above 400 feet (§ 107.51B)

Flying near airports / in controlled airspace (§ 107.41)