Q: Why do you need to learn to fly a drone as they are automated? A: Learn about the National Air Space (NAS) and where you can fly as well as other tips for flying drones safely. Otoh, you still need to learn how to drive a car, get a license even with self driving cars, or at least for now ;).
Q: Do classes include a live demonstration flight? A: Demonstration flights are weather and other condition dependent.
Q: Can students bring their drone to the classes? A: Yes.
Q: Where have you taught classes in the past? A: Anoka/Hennepin Community Education, Eden Prairie High School, Minneapolis Public Schools Community Education, North Central University STEM, Stillwater Area Public Schools Community Education, and Stillwater Public Library among others.
Q: How long have you been flying drones? A: Around 12 years for singles and quads for about eight years.
Q: How long have you been commercial licensed drone operator? A: Since May 2018
Q: How long have you been waivered to fly at night commercially? A: I received my 107.29 (daylight waiver) back in December 2018 which was valid until April 21, 2021 when daylight waivers were sunset (e.g. phased out). As of April 21, 2021 for those who have either taken the new initial, or recurrent part 107 test, you are now authorized to fly at night without a waiver (e.g. daylight and night waivers no longer exist).
Q: How hard is it to get certified? A: Depends on how well you can learn (or memorize). Getting your FAA TRUST (The Recreational UAS Safety Test) certificate is relatively easy and quick, its free from various organizations such as AMA here. The next step takes more time which is getting your part 107.
Q: How many flights have you flown? A: Many thousands including indoors and outdoors.
Q: How many hours in the air do you have flying? A: Over 600 hours air time.
Q: How many miles total have you flown drones? A: Spanning thousands of flights several thousand miles flown.
Q: If I am not going to fly drones for commercial, why get a part 107? A: Additional experience, you also get access to additional airspace and privileges by being a part 107. Keep in mind that part 107 is often thought of as being commercial license, when in reality, its a category or type of certification that allows you to do more, one of those things being commercial activity.
Q: How much money can you make flying drones? A: Like many things it depends, keep in mind your costs of equipment, spare batteries, apps, licenses, registration, insurance among other costs that will impact what your earnings will be.
Q: Have you ever flown FPV, what do you think about them? A: Yes I have, check out our FPV experiences page here. FPV drones are great for those who like the FPV gaming experience, including racing, general recreation, as well as for action cinematography videography indoors as well as outdoors. Keep in mind if you are going to fly FPV outdoors you will need to have a Visual Observer (VO) standing next to you watching the aircraft (drone).
Q: Whats different from flying indoors vs outside? A: Besides obstacles, biggest difference is you may have poor to no GPS coverage that can impact automated flight modes, in other words, you want to practice your heads up and stick flying skills (or learn to fly FPV).
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online.
2024 UAS UAV Drone Education Awareness Classes
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education.
Monday May 20, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday June 3, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday March 18, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday March 25, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Pictures Over Stillwater In Person Training and Consulting
Picture Over Stillwater also provides in-person custom one on one, and group UAS, UAV, Drone classes, seminars, coaching and consulting. Give us a call or send an email to learn more about our drone school, custom education, training, consulting and other drone service offerings.
Courses are lead by Pictures Over Stillwater founder and chief remote pilot Greg Schulz. Greg is an professional FAA Part 107 certified (e.g. licensed) commercial drone operator (e.g. Remote Pilot In Command RPIC). In addition to being FAA Part 107, Greg is also MnDoT aeronautics licensed and insured. His drone flight experience includes having a 107.29 daylight waiver for night flights, 107.41 airspace authorizations to fly in “0” or no fly zones as well as above published altitudes with FAA approval. Greg has accumulated hundreds of drone hours in the air, flown over a thousand drone air miles, spanning thousands of drone flights. As a professional drone operator Greg does projects involving aerial photography, video, photogrammetry (2D/3D model map image survey), inspection and other activity for construction, real estate, events among others, including indoor flights. Greg is also an FAASTeam DronePro representive for Minneapolis region.
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Classes for 2024 have been added for Minneapolis in March and Richfield/Bloomington in June. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.
Drones for Non-Dummies is a introductory beginner course offered at various Minneapolis St Paul twin cities metro area venues and online. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities.
Spring 2021 Drone School SAPS Beginner Class Demo Flight
Drones are used by recreational hobbyist, commercial, non-profit, government, and public safety agencies. If you or somebody you know have a drone, want one or need to learn more about them, this course is for you.
Anoka Hennepin Community Education Drone School Demo Flight
Recreational drone hobbyists will gain information on basic operations and a foundation for expanding to commercial operations. You will learn basic safety, rules of the road and air, registration, certification, types, when, how and where to fly (or avoid). Also covered are basic tools, simulators, apps, cameras, commercial considerations, new and emerging regulations including hobby recreational FAA test (TRUST), insurance, practical tips, techniques, and trends. Weather permitting, an instructor-only demonstration flight may be held. Students ages 12-17 are welcome to register with an adult.
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online.
2024 UAS UAV Drone Education Awareness Classes
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education.
Monday March 18, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday March 25, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Aerial Photography and Video – Online & In-Person
Drones for Non-Dummies Drone Aerial Photography and Video course is offered at various Minneapolis St Paul twin cities metro venues and online. Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities.
Spring 2021 Drone School SAPS Beginner Class Demo Flight
July 3rd 2021 Hudson Wisconsin Fireworks (Click to buy prints & downloads)
This course is for those who want to learn more about drone based aerial photography and video (recreational and commercial).
Topics covered include rules of the road for aerial photography and video, license and registration, where to fly (and not fly), flight planning and weather, autonomous and manual modes, equipment, hardware, software and other tools.
Also covered are drone and camera photo and video modes, settings, time lapse and hyper lapse, panoramic, automatic vs manual settings and much more.
Additional topics include what type of drone and camera equipment are best as well as accessories, along with post processing tools. Students aged 12-17 may attend with an adult. Weather permitting a demonstration flight will be flown.
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online.
2024 UAS UAV Drone Education Awareness Classes
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education.
Monday March 18, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday March 25, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Hobby Recreational and Part 107 – Online & In-Person
Small Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities. This course moves beyond the basics looking at drone decision making, flight planning, how to prepare for your FAA Part 107 (commercial) and TRUST (hobby recreational) among other certifications.
Also covered are basic tools, simulators, apps, cameras, commercial considerations, new and emerging regulations, insurance, practical tips, techniques, trends to be aware of. Weather permitting drone demonstration flights may be held. Students ages 12-17 are welcome to attend with an adult. Don’t be a dummy, learn to fly drones safely.
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online.
2024 UAS UAV Drone Education Awareness Classes
Minneapolis Public Schools Adult Community Education.
Monday March 18, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 1 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
Monday March 25, 2024 6:00-8:30PM Drone Aerial Photography & Videography Part 2 Ella Baker School Learn more and register here.
What To Consider When Buying A Drone
There are many different things to consider when buying a drone besides how much does it cost, how high and how far can it fly. Some considerations among others include:
Some of the topics and considerations include among others: ✓ Whats your budget ✓ Size and form factor ✓ Build DiY or buy turnkey ✓ What are you going to use it for ✓ How are you going to use it (how portable do you need) ✓ Who makes what, who are the vendors ✓ Weight Matters (Registration, Operating Over People OOP) ✓ AI and Obstacle Avoidance ✓ Remote ID (RID) capabilties ✓ Fixed or removable cameras ✓ RGB, IR/Thermo or other cameras ✓ Precision mapping/measuring ✓ App supported devices (e.g. ios, android) ✓ Software app functionality and camera modes ✓ Photo and Video speeds/feeds ✓ FPV or non FPV flying (indoor, outdoor or both) ✓ How much can you afford to lose or crash ✓ Feature, functions, speeds and feeds (camera resolution, 1K, 2K, 4K, 6K, 8K, 12MP, 20MP, frame rates) ✓ Battery life or how long can you fly ✓ Upgrades, accessors, spares ✓ Warranties and service policies ✓ Insurance costs
Not sure what drone is best for you or your needs, give us a call or email, tell us what you are looking to do and we will provide you with our perspectives. Keep in mind that the best drone is the one that fits and meets your needs and budgets vs someone else’s.
Drone Safety as of September 13, 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part of the United States of America Department of Transportation (DoT) issued an announcement that operator enforcement of Remote ID (RID) originally to be effective September 16, 2023 is being delated to March 16, 2024. You can read the full announcement here and what it means for UAS aka Drone operators in the US.
2023 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes
As part of Drone Safety, Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Classes for 2023 have been added for Minneapolis in March and Richfield/Bloomington in June. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.
The following is information about UAS UAV sUAS sUAV Drone Safety Fundamental Regulations. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Small UAV (sUAV), Small UAS (sUAS) also known as “drones” are growing in popularity and capabilities. Drones are used by recreational hobbyist, commercial, non-profit, government, and public safety agencies among others.
In the United States, once your drone takes flight leaving the ground it is considered to be in the National Air Space (NAS) which is managed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) part of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Some considerations when flying a drone recreational for fun as a hobbyist, or as a commercial (e.g. part 107), or for other purposes is where your feet are on the ground, and where in the air is your drone.
Common Drone Safety Questions
Q: Why are there so many rules, regulations and restrictions for drones? A: For Safety
Q: What is the difference between recreational hobbyist and commercial? A: Hobby recreational drone operators are flying just for fun, not for commercial or any benefit to self or from others (monetary or other benefit).
Q: Who has to register drones with the FAA? A: For hobby recreational drone operators 13 years and older with drones weighing less than 55 lbs and greater .55lbs you have to register via FAA DroneZone website (here is the link). Cost is $5 for three years and you can register multiple drones with your account number. Note that drones registered for hobby recreational can not be flown for part 107. Also note that registration number needs to be clearly visible on the outside of the aircraft (drone).
For commercial part 107 operators if your drone weighs less than 55 lbs (including less than .55lbs) you have to register via FAA DroneZone website (here is the link). Cost is $5 for three years per aircraft (each drone requires a unique registration number). Note that drones registered for commercial part 107 can be flown as recreational. Also note that registration number needs to be clearly visible on the outside of the aircraft (drone).
Q: What if your drone weighs 55 lbs or more? A: For drones weighing more than 55 lbs, or, you want to qualify for sUAS operations outside the US, you hold title to an aircraft/drone in trust, the sUAS owner uses a voting trust to meet U.S. Citizenship requirements use this FAA link for registration.
Q: What are the recreational hobby rules: A: Check your local regulations for any restrictions on where you can legally fly drones outdoors among other rules. FAA recreational drone rules (e.g. 44809) are found here.
You Are Responsible For Knowing The Rules
Recreational drone operators should also be aware and know that if they intentionally violate safety regulations, and/or operate a drone in a reckless, or careless manner, they could be liable for civil and/or criminal penalties. In addition to knowing the FAA regulations, also know what your local restrictions and rules are. Saying that you did not know the rules is not a viable excuse, you as the drone operator are responsible for knowing where and how to fly safely.
✓ Register your drone with its registration number visible on outside of aircraft and carry proof of registration with your. ✓ Fly only for recreational purposes. ✓ When flying, keep your drone at or below 400 feet above the ground when in uncontrolled airspace (e.g. Class G).
Note that recreational flyers are not allowed to fly above 400′ by combing the height of a man made structure plus 400′ when within 400′ of the structure (this is something that part 107 operators can do).
✓ Obtain authorization before flying in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D and E) via Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) and/or DroneZone.
NOTE: Flying drones in certain airspace is not allowed. Classes of airspace and flying restrictions can be found on our B4UFLY app.
Also note that some federal, state, county and local parks as well as other locations have regulations on flying from (take off, landing) their land or waters. Know where your feet will be on the ground and aircraft in the air.
✓ Keep your drone aircraft (drone) within Visual Line Of Sight (VLOS), or within VLOS of an Visual Observer (VO) who is physically next to you to, and in direct communications with you.
Hint, if you or your VO can no longer visually see the drone without using displays, its out of VLOS, and your are flying Beyond VLOS (BVLOS).
✓ Unless your drone has lighting that allows you to know where it is, its direction and orientation, do not fly at night. ✓ Give way to and do not interfere with manned aircraft. ✓ Do not fly over a person or crowd of people or over a moving vehicle. ✓ Never interfere with emergency response activities including accident response, law enforcement activities, fire fighting, hurricane recovery efforts among others. ✓ Dont fly under the influence of drugs or alcohol. ✓ Dont operate your drone in a careless or reckless manner.
Q: Is there a training test for recreational hobby drone flyers? A: Not yet, its in the works, visit the FAA recreational website to learn more.
Q: What are the categories of drone operators? A: Part 107 commercial, 44809 recreational hobbyist.
Q: If you do not get any money to fly a drone, are you still commercial? A: It comes down to your intent to fly, and benefit (not just money) to you. If you are are flying a drone with intention to just have fun and not do things on behalf of others (even if you do not get paid) or that benefits you in any way, then you do not have to be commercial part 107. Put another way, if you operate a drone within the carve out exceptions for hobby recreational, then you do not have to be part 107. However if you go outside the regulations for hobby recreational, then you would fall under part 107 regulations and need to be part 107 certified. Note that in Minnesota you also need to be licensed by MnDoT (also aircraft/drones registered with them) to perform drone activities on behalf of others.
Q: If Im not getting paid, just taking some photos or video for a friends business, club, association, church group or as a volunteer at a non profit to help with their fund raising or website do I need to be part 107? A: Yup
Q: If Im just taking photos and using a drone for my own recreation activity, not doing things for others, may be sharing my photos however not selling them, or benefiting someone, do I need to be part 107? A: Probably not, it comes down to what is/was your intent and derived benefit.
Q: If I am not going to fly drones for commercial, why get a part 107? A: Additional experience, get access to additional airspace among other things
Q: How much money can you make flying drones? A: Like many things it depends, keep in mind your costs of equipment, spare batteries, apps, licenses, registration, insurance among other costs will impact what your earnings will be.
Q: How far can your drones fly? A: As far as I can maintain visual line of sight (VLOS) on them
Q: Drones are fully automated, why learn how to manually fly them? A: Its not if, rather when technology fails, or when you get into a situation where knowing how to fly and land manually become important. For example when an automated flight app encounters poor or loses GPS coverage and requires a manual or assisted landing.
Q: Can FPV drones be flown outside? A: Yes, absolutely, however they require at least one other person adjacent to the FPV pilot operator functioning as a Visual Observer (VO) maintaining a direct visual line of sight on the drone, as well as following other FAA drone, uas, uav regulations.
Q: Have you ever flown FPV, what do you think about them? A: Yes, I think they are great for those who like the FPV gaming experience, virtual reality and action type things. Keep in mind if you are going to fly FPV outdoors you will need to have a Visual Observer (VO) standing next to you watching the aircraft (drone).
Q: Whats different from flying indoors vs outside? A: Besides obstacles, biggest difference is you may have poor to no GPS coverage that can impact automated flight modes, in other words, you want to practice your heads up and stick flying skills (or learn to fly FPV).
If you or somebody you know have a drone, want one or need to learn more about them, sign up for one of our classes or seminars. Pictures Over Stillwater partners with various Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro public school community education programs providing continuing education from drone basics to advanced topics. Fly safe and fly smart by learning about UAS UAV sUAS sUAV Drone Safety Fundamental Regulations
Pictures Over Stillwater is involved with Community Education presenting UAV UAS Drone classes at various venues around the greater Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities metro area as well as online. Classes for 2023 have been added for Minneapolis in March and Richfield/Bloomington in June. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.
Got a Drone for Christmas or know somebody who did? Did you or somebody you known get a drone for Christmas or as another gift? Here’s a link to a great information video from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) about knowing what to do before you fly your new drone. Step one is registering it, then knowing the rules of the road and airspace among other tips.
FAA Holiday Drone Messaging, Know Before You Fly
November 4-8 2019 is the first annual FAA National Drone Safety Awareness Week (#drones4good) initiative. As a participant in this weeks activities including being part of a free webinar open to the public on November 5, Pictures Over Stillwater has prepared the following non-branded video to showcase and promote drone safety and benefits of using licensed, insured drone operators.
In addition to Aerial Photography and Video, other focus areas during the FAA National Drone Safety Awareness Week included:
View the following video to learn more about the benefits of using licensed (FAA Part 107 and applicable state licenses), insured drone operators.
Note that Minnesota in addition to FAA Part 107 certification requires an additional licenses from Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDoT) Aeronautics for commercial drone operators doing work for others. Pictures Over Stillwater is FAA Part 107 certified including daylight waiver and various airspace authorizations as well as registered aircraft. In addition to meeting FAA requirements, Pictures Over Stillwater is also licensed by MNDoT for drone operations including aerial photography, video and imaging, as well as insured and registered aircraft.
Have an event or other activity you are looking for aerial and ground based coverage (still video and photography)? Contact us and we can discuss options to meet your needs.
In addition to our SmugMug online store, we also have a FineArtAmerica site where you can shop, buy prints, puzzles, wall art and other items.
When in downtown Stillwater, visit our partner Smith + Trade Mercantile where you can buy Pictures Over Stillwater aerial photography postcards among other items.
Proud Member Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce
Pictures Over Stillwater provides indoor interior, outdoor exterior, drone aerial and all around creative real estate services. In addition to standard MLS compliant still photography and video virtual tours, we also provide 360 still virtual tours, and FPV drone fly through virtual tours.
Our Real Estate and Property services include residential and commercial real estate, developers, property management, home and building owners as well as construction progress activities. From single family to multi-tenant, half acre to hundreds of acres, single to multi-story high rise, one-time or recurring progress reporting, we have the experiences capturing these and other properties around the Minneapolis St Paul Twin Cities Metro and Western Wisconsin areas.
Real Estate Example
We have standard packaged along with ala carte and custom services. Services include turnkey mission planning, flying and post processing for MLS still and video including 360 images with post processing, along with consulting and education.
Check Out A Sampling Of Some Of Our Experiences
Real Estate Land Property Example
Residential Real Estate Example 1 (Click Image To View More)
Residential Real Estate Example 2 (Click Image To View More)
Residential Real Estate Example 3 (Click Image To View More)
Residential Real Estate Example 4 (Click Image To View More)
Residential Real Estate Example 5 (Click Image To View More)
