Common Drone Questions Education Safety Topics

The following are common drone questions education safety topics for hobby recreational and commercial part 107 operators.

Pictures Over Stillwater Drone School

Common Drone Questions

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, Eden Prairie Central Middle 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: Over 10 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: Do you have any other waivers?
A: Yes, 107.39 (Operating Over People e.g. OOP) and 107.145 (Operating Over Moving Vehicles e.g. OOMV)

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.

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Additional Drone Questions and Answers

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 , 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).

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

Drone School Beginner The Basics

UAV UAS Drone Fundamentals and Basics

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. 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.

Click here or on the following to learn more as well as view links for registrations, times and locations.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Pictures Over Stillwater Spring 2021 Drone School Community Education Twin Cities Minneapolis St Paul
Spring 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.

Pictures Over Stillwater Spring 2021 Drone School Community Education Twin Cities Minneapolis St Paul
Anoka Hennepin Community Education Drone School Demo Flight

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

Drone School Aerial Photography Videography

Drone Aerial Photography and Video Class

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. 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. Click here or on the following to view more information including registration, dates and locations.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Pictures Over Stillwater Spring 2021 Drone School Community Education Twin Cities Minneapolis St Paul
Spring Drone School SAPS Beginner Class Demo Flight

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Hudson Wisconsin Fireworks (Click to view more images)

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

Drone School Beyond The Basics

UAV UAS Drone Beyond The Basics

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. Recreational drone hobbyists will gain information on basic operations and a foundation for expanding to commercial operations. 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. Click here or on the following to learn more as well as view links for registrations, times and locations.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

Drone School What To Consider When Buying a Drone

UAV UAS Drone Beyond The Basics

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. Learn more here or click on the link below to view class schedules, locations along with registration information.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

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) capabilities
✓ Fixed or removable cameras
✓ RGB, IR/Thermal 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
✓ 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.

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

FAA National Drone Safety Awareness Week 2019 Aerial Photography Video Business

UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

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. Click on the following to learn more as well as links for registrations, times and locations.

Twin Cities 2025 UAV UAS Drone Education Classes

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 Operating Over People (OOP ) and Operating Over Moving Vehicles (OOMV) waivers 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, videography and imaging for construction progress reporting, real estate, event coverage, and other  commercial work activity in the state of Minnesota.

Additional Resources and Links

links

2024 Remote Pilot Test Prep: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via amazon.com
2025 Remote Pilot Test Prep Plus: Study and prepare for your remote pilot FAA Knowledge Exam (ASA Test Prep Series) via Amazon.com Affiliate Link.

Resources

Winter Spring Summer Fall Weather Storms

Winter Spring Summer Fall Weather Storms.

In addition to Winter Spring Summer Fall Weather Storms, check out our flood flooding page with imagery from various floods including St Croix River.

Dynamic Fall Weather St. Croix River Inversion Fog Dragon Breath

2019 Spring Flood Season

Winter Motorcycle Ice Racing

Wrap Up and Where to Learn More

Visit our Gallery page to view additional related content (still images and video). Visit and like (thanks in advance) our Instagram.com/PicturesOverStillwater page, as well as our Facebook.com/PicturesOverStillwater page (includes interactive 360 panoramic views).

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buy prints digital downloads wall art

Browse, shop and buy print, digital downloads, wall art, and other items by clicking here to access our online SmugMug store.

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.