DROP IN IN DEPTH
aerial marketing and advertising videography and photography. He’s flown drones for two years—also the DJI Phantom 4 Pro—and says that he loves anything with a camera on it. One of the reasons he admires the new DJI drone is how portable it is: it weighs less than three pounds and fits in a backpack. McDowell says that anyone interested in using drones should start by doing some homework. All non-hobbyist pilots—professional drone pilots who are compensated for work, like McDowell—are required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to take the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 107 test, which costs $150. It provides the first national, uniform regulations for commercial operation of unmanned aircraft systems under 55 pounds. A few key rules to consider before launching a new drone for both recreational and business uses include registering and labeling the device with the FAA, which can be done online and takes less than 10 minutes, says McDowell. This applies to all drones weighing between 0.55 and 55 pounds. Registration costs just $5 and is valid for three years. Flying a drone without taking these steps can result in civil or criminal penalties, according to the FAA. Other important rules include refraining from flying more than 400 feet in the air, and not going within 5 miles of an airport, though under some circumstances it makes sense to petition for exceptions. In Salinas, for example, being limited by airport proximity covers almost the entire city, explains McDowell, who has been granted airspace waivers that allow him to fly within 1 mile of local airports. Not everyone feels so positive about an increasing number of drones buzzing through the sky— especially while surfing. “When you’re out in nature, hearing the sounds of birds and the ocean
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