How to start a drone business

To start a drone business, you need to register with the IACRA and get certified, look into state and federal regulations, and determine your drone business type. For details on each of these steps and others you can take to start a drone business, use this guide:

• Register with the IACRA and get certified. There is a big difference between recreational drones and commercial drones.

  Recreational drones can be flown by just about anyone, but commercial drones come with requirements you must meet. In the United States, you need to register or obtain your FTN on the IACRA website before scheduling your FAA knowledge test.

  In general, it takes about 20 hours to study for the test. It costs $150 to take the aeronautical knowledge exam. You need to find an approved testing center and obtain a passing score of 70%. You must also complete and pass the Part 107 exam in order to obtain an FAA Part-107 license.

  After submitting your Part 107 exam score you then finalize your application and submit your Part 107 test score on IACRA. This gives a permanent Part 107 certificate that takes one to three months for processing.

  Keep in mind, you also must pass a biannual flight review every 2 years.

• Look into state and federal regulations. Certain countries have already implemented strict laws and regulations regarding the commercial use of drones.

  It is extremely important that you do the proper research into your specific country, state, and region, regarding the use of commercial drones.

  Currently, there are no specific Federal Aviation Association (FAA) laws or regulations relating to certified drone pilots flying over private property, however, some local laws have been made in certain states that do limit where commercial drone operators can fly.

• Determine your drone business type. You should now decide on your drone business type and the structure of your business.

  There are a wide variety of drone business markets to choose from. You should conduct market research on the type of drone business you want to start in your specific area.

  Try to determine if competing businesses are providing services that you can improve on. You can also see if there is a niche market for your drone business that has not been capitalized on in your location.

  Conduct a consumer survey to find out what type of drone service your company should provide, and then you can hone in on your target consumer base.

• Buy and register your drones and other gear. Depending on the size, scale, and services your business is going to provide, you might need a small, medium, or a large fleet of drones.

  Professional drones on average cost anywhere between $1,000 to $20,000 per unit. You can also look into leasing drones, and once your business becomes profitable, you can then make your purchases in terms of a fleet.

  You should also be aware that any drones used in your business that weigh over 0.55 pounds are required to be registered with the FAA.

  Other equipment you may need includes:

  • Batteries

  • Cases

  • Propellers

  • Storage facilities

  • Tools for drone maintenance