Commercial sUAS operators in the US are required to follow the Restrictions & Requirements set forth by the Federal Aviation Administration. In short no commercial enterprise may benefit from the operation of a sUAS without holding a certificate from the FAA. This doesn’t mean money must exchange hands in recording of images or video but that a business can not benefit in any way that causes them to raise revenue in the long term too. Including a YouTube channel that could be for profit.

The restrictions and regulations are changing quickly now the potentially limitless growth is now being noticed. The education and testing by the FAA are to ensure the safety of the public below and other aircraft aloft. The basic rules limit the operation height, weather conditions, time of day, visual line of sight, and how operations over people or vehicles can occur. The FAA controls all airspace and any municipality nor state can change their requirements in that airspace.

Quick note to clarify a major misconception. Citizens, business, nor cities “own” the airspace above their property beyond what they can reasonably occupy. A pilot flying a sUAS within the legal requirements by the FAA and not violating any criminal laws may operate in any air space.