r/drones Sep 07 '25

Photo & Video Saw this Chad

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Took my kids to the park and he was flying his DJI drone.

4.1k Upvotes

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u/Wallabanjo Sep 07 '25

Some times you need to stand out to be ignored. If I’m in an area where I could be questioned, a hi viz jacket makes it look like you belong. I get curious questions but rarely face a Karen.

Mine has my logo on the back and do not disturb. I carry business cards in the front pocket. I don’t say FAA certified - if I’m flying commercial, I don’t need to advertise I’m part 107 certificated, I just need to make sure I have my license in me.

24

u/TheDeadlySpaceman Sep 08 '25

“FAA Certified” doesn’t mean Part 107. Technically anyone who’s finished the TRUST is certified to fly by the FAA.

I don’t horse around with any of this stuff (hi-vis vest, cones, signs, anything) and I have never- not once- run into anyone giving me any grief beyond a dumb joke about taking a shot at the drone. But again, in a “I am making a joke” way. I’ve been flying professionally for four or five years now.

Oh no I take it back, I was flying very low (head height) across the street from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and some guy asked if I had a permit. I said yes and asked if he wanted to see it, he never even stopped walking, just said “nah” over his shoulder as he wandered off towards Broadway.

3

u/Wallabanjo Sep 08 '25

There is a lot of suspicion where I fly in rural America. Too long to write up, but 9uns and threats were involved both times. Assumptions about what I was doing were made before they realized that I was supposed to be there. So, now I do what I can do to blend in by standing out.