Page 21 - LandscapeSA Issue 108

TECHNOlOGY FEATuRE

modelling. They help landscapers capture fly the drone yourself to save money, certificate for the aircraft. There are other
an entirely different vantage point and save yourself the headache and rather rules and regulations that go along with
produce excellent results which could end hire a professional. Flying drones is more drone usage, and the FAA offers the
up helping with their sales and marketing complicated than it seems and if you or following guidelines:
approach. someone on your crew is inexperienced • don’t fly drones within five miles of an
with flying it, it could result in crashing airport or helipad without filing a request
Scott Cohen, owner of The Green Scene and breaking the machine. To save on to do so;
Landscaping and Pools, has found drones replacement and repair costs, hire someone • don’t fly drones over crowds of people or
to be a new and innovative way of creating experienced in drone flying. near stadiums;
photos and videos for his company. He told • don’t fly drones after sunset or at sunrise;
Landscape Leadership that “the next job Before flying drones outdoors, they must • stay within the line of sight of the
always comes from the last job, and photos be registered in America with the Federal operator at all times;
have a lot to do with that. With a drone, Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Unmanned • take a lesson before you fly;
you can get views that aren’t possible with Aircraft System if the aircraft weighs more • inspect your aircraft before flying and fly
a regular camera. For example, you can fly than 0.55 pounds but less than 55 pounds. an unmanned aircraft below 400 feet;
a drone off the edge of a cliff and get an For those who do not register their drones, • fly with local clubs and don’t fly your
incredible shot of a vanishing edge pool.” there is the possibility of facing civil and unmanned aircraft beyond your line of
criminal penalties. Owners must provide sight;
He adds that drone videos and photos their names, email and home addresses • don’t be careless or reckless – you could
also come in handy when used as design when registering and once the registration be fined if you endanger people or other
tools. “From a design standpoint, landscape is complete, the online application aircraft;
architects are used to working from a plot will generate a Certificate of Aircraft • don’t fly for payment or commercial
view. We draw it as though we’re seeing Registration/Proof of Ownership that will purposes unless specifically authorised
it from space but before drones, we were include an identification number for the by the FAA.
never actually looking at projects that way. owner.
The drone gives us a whole new perspective Acknowledgement
during the design phase and throughout According to the FAA, there are three This article has been reproduced with
its construction as well.” ways to fly a UAS for business: following the permission of Total Landscape Care,
the requirements in the small UAS rule, www.totallandscapecare.com. The company,
Rules of drone use following the rules in the Section 333 grant Randall Reilly, is based in Alabama, USA.
While the temptation may be to try and of exemption or obtaining an airworthiness

Landscape SA • Issue 108 2021 19