Says It Is The Least Expensive Path To Fulfill FAA Requirement

Lots of people want to use UAVs for commercial purposes, and the FAA has been handing out section 333 exemptions at a brisk pace over the past few months.

But there is a clause in those exemptions that says that the operator of the aircraft must be a licensed pilot, and many of those who have received exemptions can’t meet that requirement. We all know what flying lessons cost, and it’s not cheap. So some have turned to ballooning as being the least expensive way to obtain airman privileges.

Such was the case for Alon Sicherman, who received his exemption in June, but who was dismayed to find the “licensed pilot” clause in the exemption. The Verge reports that Sicherman researched getting a pilot certificate, and found that ballooning was likely the most cost-effective way to get it. But he makes the analogy of practicing driving an 18-wheeler to get a motorcycle license.

Sicherman’s balloon instructor is Bill Hughes, a former Navy helo pilot with over 2,500 balloon hours in his logbook. He said Sicherman is learning a lot about federal aviation regulations and airspace restrictions.

Sicherman does admit that UAV regulations are becoming more necessary as the popularity of the small aircraft continues to grow.

Another recent Section 333 grantee, Arizona realtor Douglas Trudeau, learned of the requirement, he took a less expensive route than getting a pilot certificate himself. Trudeau hired a licensed pilot to fly his UAV for $100 per hour … a solution that is apparently becoming more common in the industry.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.faa.gov/uas/legislative_programs/section_333/