07/17/2026
Over the past few days, our community has seen some incredible drone photos and videos documenting the July 2026 floods. These images tell an important story and preserve moments that many of us will never forget. As a licensed drone pilot, I wanted to share a few reminders about flying safely and responsibly during events like these.
Many people don’t realize that not every drone flight requires an FAA license. If you’re flying strictly for recreation and personal enjoyment, you can operate under recreational rules. However, if your footage is being used to promote a business, posted on monetized platforms, sold, or otherwise supports a commercial venture, an FAA Part 107 license is generally required.
A few examples:
• Recreational: Flying around your home or neighborhood and sharing photos with friends and family.
• Commercial: Posting footage to a monetized Facebook/TikTok, creating content for a business page, selling photos or videos, or using the footage to advertise photography or videography services.
The FAA takes these regulations seriously, and violations can lead to significant fines. More importantly, these rules exist to keep everyone safe and to ensure that our airspace remains organized and accessible for those who need it most.
During emergencies, helicopters conducting search-and-rescue missions, medical flights, and law enforcement operations depend on clear airspace. Even though drones are allowed to fly up to 400 feet above ground level under normal circumstances, I personally chose to stay below 150 feet while documenting the flooding because of the amount of helicopter activity in the area.
There are many additional rules and safety measures that drone pilots should understand. Because of that, I always encourage anyone interested in flying regularly to consider becoming licensed. It’s a great way to learn the regulations, improve your skills, and help keep our community safe.
This post isn’t meant to discourage anyone from enjoying the hobby. Drones give us a unique perspective and allow us to document important moments in our community’s history. With that opportunity comes the responsibility to fly safely, respect emergency crews, and stay informed about the rules.
If anyone has questions about drone regulations or becoming a remote pilot, I’d be happy to help.
Stay safe, and thank you to all of the first responders who continue to serve our community.