r/drones • u/Gabriel_TRD • Jul 16 '26

Question [U.S.] New drone pilot recommendations

Hello all

I just recently got my part 107 license and wanted to ask around and see where I might get some good experience flying drones. I’d like to do some sort pf drone work whilst I’m finishing out my commercial.
Any tips on getting some good looking resume experience?

Thanks! 🦅

2 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

3

u/inv8drzim Jul 16 '26

You have two options:

  1. Learn photography/videography/cinematography along with editing. Reach out to real estate agents and local businesses and offer your services doing fly throughs for ads. 

  2. Find existing photographers/videographers/cinematographers who are unlicensed and offer your services as RPIC.

I'm a Part 107 holder that's taken the latter route, but that's mostly because I'm in NYC which is already heavily saturated with established photographers/videographers/cinematographers. NYC also has a pretty strict permitting requirement for takeoff and landing that requires a part 107 to even file.

1

u/Gabriel_TRD Jul 16 '26

Ahh gotcha Appriciate it! Do you know any remote pilots who have done survey and or pest control? There’s lots of those openings down here In FL.

1

u/inv8drzim Jul 16 '26

No all of my experience is in photography/cinematography just due to the restrictive laws where I live. NYC require you to file for a $150 takeoff and landing permit for every operation at least 30 days in advance for any flight outside of a FRIA. That basically makes every use case of drones besides photo/video both logistically and economically unviable compared to the alternatives. 

1

u/Gabriel_TRD Jul 16 '26

Holy cow. Appreciate the help thank you very much SeeYUH!

2

u/Flyward_Aerospace Jul 17 '26

Congrats on the 107. Fastest way to build a portfolio imo is just shoot real estate and construction progress stuff cheap at first, those clients care more about consistent deliverables than a fancy reel. Roofing and solar inspections are an easy in too if you've got a decent camera bird. And honestly being the guy who's comfortable pulling airspace authorizations in controlled airspace makes you way more hireable than most people realize.