Frequently asked questions
Q: What is a Drone?
A: In the United States, the term “drone” is a nickname given to any aircraft in the category of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) weighing less than 55 lbs. Almost all consumer drones are capable of carrying a camera which captures images and video. Nearly all models offer the ability to “live stream” the media from the camera to the operator on the ground in real time, as well as to social media sites. The cost to operate the UAS units is much less than an airplane or helicopter and therefore we can offer commercial images and video at a lower cost. It also saves on resources such as fuel and aircraft maintenance and even reduces emissions since UAS devices run off batteries.
Q: Is it illegal to operate drones commercially?
A: It is only illegal to operate commercially if you do not have the proper licensing. All of our UAS operators are licensed pilots and have an FAA Part 107 UAS Airman Certificate. Anyone operating drones commercially is required to have the proper certifications and regulatory requirements in place.
Q: What is considered commercial drone operation?
A: The FAA considers anything tied to income as commercial operation. This includes a roofer using shots of a roof on their website or a realtor using drone footage for a listing. Even if the roofer or the realtor are not directly getting paid for the flight, the ultimate purpose is to earn income by winning new roofing clients or the sale of a real estate listing. Basically if you are flying for any purpose other than hobby or recreation, it is commercial use and you need a license and are expected to comply with commercial regulations.
Q: How high can you fly?
A: The FAA guidelines state that UAS devices can fly no higher than 400 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) without a Certificate of Waiver from the FAA. Most of the time we don’t need to get above 200 feet to capture the subject so this is usually not an issue. This rule is in effect to protect manned aircraft, who have a general “floor” of 500 feet in most locations. Manned aircraft may be flying at much lower altitudes when coming in for a landing. The key to safety is to remain vigilant, listen for manned aircraft, and follow the rules.
Q: Can you fly at night?
A: The FAA has issued final rules that will require Remote ID of drones, and will enable operations of small drones over people and at night under certain conditions. These rules will accelerate the safe integration of drones into our nation’s airspace.
Q: Can you fly drones near airports?
A: It depends on the airport. Some require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or the local Air Traffic Control tower (ATC) and some do not. Contact us with the address of your project and we can find out for you.
Q: How long can you fly?
A: Our aircraft can operate for 12-30 minutes on a single battery depending on the aircraft we use, the wind speed, air temperature, aircraft load, and other conditions. Each of our units have multiple batteries in order to extend flight time with additional 12-25 minute flights. We also have the ability to charge batteries on location so we can fly uninterrupted for an entire day if needed.
Q: Can you fly over crowds of people?
A: The FAA has issued final rules that will require Remote ID of drones, and will enable operations of small drones over people and at night under certain conditions. These rules will accelerate the safe integration of drones into our nation’s airspace.
Q: Can you fly indoors?
A: While the FAA frowns upon it, it is not legally restricted and is in fact very possible now with new technology in the world of FPV drones. These drones are very small and fully manual(no GPS capability) meaning it takes a very well trained pilot to maneuver indoors. We are licensed and insured pilots who are willing to take on your indoor flight tours.
Q: What kind of video and image processing do you offer?
A: Kunkle Aerial Imagery is owned by an experienced professional photographer/videographer and partnered with other experienced camera operators. All still images captured from our drones are professionally edited before the final images are delivered. We offer a full video production shop and have the ability to add attractive title pages, text boxes, custom graphics, and other effects. We use video stabilization to smooth out bumps in flight, add licensed background audio tracks, and can even add moving text & graphics to our videos.
A: In the United States, the term “drone” is a nickname given to any aircraft in the category of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) weighing less than 55 lbs. Almost all consumer drones are capable of carrying a camera which captures images and video. Nearly all models offer the ability to “live stream” the media from the camera to the operator on the ground in real time, as well as to social media sites. The cost to operate the UAS units is much less than an airplane or helicopter and therefore we can offer commercial images and video at a lower cost. It also saves on resources such as fuel and aircraft maintenance and even reduces emissions since UAS devices run off batteries.
Q: Is it illegal to operate drones commercially?
A: It is only illegal to operate commercially if you do not have the proper licensing. All of our UAS operators are licensed pilots and have an FAA Part 107 UAS Airman Certificate. Anyone operating drones commercially is required to have the proper certifications and regulatory requirements in place.
Q: What is considered commercial drone operation?
A: The FAA considers anything tied to income as commercial operation. This includes a roofer using shots of a roof on their website or a realtor using drone footage for a listing. Even if the roofer or the realtor are not directly getting paid for the flight, the ultimate purpose is to earn income by winning new roofing clients or the sale of a real estate listing. Basically if you are flying for any purpose other than hobby or recreation, it is commercial use and you need a license and are expected to comply with commercial regulations.
Q: How high can you fly?
A: The FAA guidelines state that UAS devices can fly no higher than 400 feet AGL (Above Ground Level) without a Certificate of Waiver from the FAA. Most of the time we don’t need to get above 200 feet to capture the subject so this is usually not an issue. This rule is in effect to protect manned aircraft, who have a general “floor” of 500 feet in most locations. Manned aircraft may be flying at much lower altitudes when coming in for a landing. The key to safety is to remain vigilant, listen for manned aircraft, and follow the rules.
Q: Can you fly at night?
A: The FAA has issued final rules that will require Remote ID of drones, and will enable operations of small drones over people and at night under certain conditions. These rules will accelerate the safe integration of drones into our nation’s airspace.
Q: Can you fly drones near airports?
A: It depends on the airport. Some require approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and/or the local Air Traffic Control tower (ATC) and some do not. Contact us with the address of your project and we can find out for you.
Q: How long can you fly?
A: Our aircraft can operate for 12-30 minutes on a single battery depending on the aircraft we use, the wind speed, air temperature, aircraft load, and other conditions. Each of our units have multiple batteries in order to extend flight time with additional 12-25 minute flights. We also have the ability to charge batteries on location so we can fly uninterrupted for an entire day if needed.
Q: Can you fly over crowds of people?
A: The FAA has issued final rules that will require Remote ID of drones, and will enable operations of small drones over people and at night under certain conditions. These rules will accelerate the safe integration of drones into our nation’s airspace.
Q: Can you fly indoors?
A: While the FAA frowns upon it, it is not legally restricted and is in fact very possible now with new technology in the world of FPV drones. These drones are very small and fully manual(no GPS capability) meaning it takes a very well trained pilot to maneuver indoors. We are licensed and insured pilots who are willing to take on your indoor flight tours.
Q: What kind of video and image processing do you offer?
A: Kunkle Aerial Imagery is owned by an experienced professional photographer/videographer and partnered with other experienced camera operators. All still images captured from our drones are professionally edited before the final images are delivered. We offer a full video production shop and have the ability to add attractive title pages, text boxes, custom graphics, and other effects. We use video stabilization to smooth out bumps in flight, add licensed background audio tracks, and can even add moving text & graphics to our videos.
