I know, another thread about commercial use of a Phantom; I apologize in advance. I made the mistake of not researching ahead of time, and now I have a brand new Phantom 3 that I can't use for what I intended to use it for. Like what I would assume to be the majority of Phantom users, I do not have a pilot's license. So as the topic states, where is the line between non-commercial and commercial use drawn?
Scenario A: I shoot flyovers for a local golf course and charge them for it. Illegal - got it. But...
Scenario B: I shoot flyovers for a local golf course and give them the footage for free. They use the footage on their website to promote the golf course. Illegal?
Scenario C: The golf course buys a Phantom and shoots their own flyover to promote the course. Illegal?
Scenario D: I buy a Phantom on my own for personal use. I offer to shoot some video for my employer for use in a corporate video. Illegal?
Scenario E: I take an aerial photo of a listing for my realtor buddy. I don't charge him, but he is using the photo to help sell a house. Illegal?
I'm starting to think I've made a $1300 mistake and that I'm not going to get much use out of my Phantom until the FAA figures this out. I never thought a tiny camera attached to a 3lb plastic quadcopter would require a pilot's license to fly 50' off the ground in order to make a few bucks, but what do I know.
Scenario A: I shoot flyovers for a local golf course and charge them for it. Illegal - got it. But...
Scenario B: I shoot flyovers for a local golf course and give them the footage for free. They use the footage on their website to promote the golf course. Illegal?
Scenario C: The golf course buys a Phantom and shoots their own flyover to promote the course. Illegal?
Scenario D: I buy a Phantom on my own for personal use. I offer to shoot some video for my employer for use in a corporate video. Illegal?
Scenario E: I take an aerial photo of a listing for my realtor buddy. I don't charge him, but he is using the photo to help sell a house. Illegal?
I'm starting to think I've made a $1300 mistake and that I'm not going to get much use out of my Phantom until the FAA figures this out. I never thought a tiny camera attached to a 3lb plastic quadcopter would require a pilot's license to fly 50' off the ground in order to make a few bucks, but what do I know.