I should know this, but.....

[Itchy]

Can a private pilot use his own airplane, take pictures, and sell them?

 

[cmill]

yes

 

[cmill]

as long as you can prove ariel photography isnt your primary business.

 

[PhilosopherPilot]

as long as you can prove ariel photography isnt your primary business.

I don't think this guy is taking pictures of The Little Mermaid.

 

[cmill]

I don't think this guy is taking pictures of The Little Mermaid.

but she so hot.

 

[Itchy]

as long as you can prove ariel photography isnt your primary business.

Hmm. As in this is a hobby, but if I can make a few bucks? Or, I make 60K a year shooting real estate on spec?

 

[cmill]

I think as long as taking pictures from a plane isnt your sole income, then you're fine.

 

[Itchy]

The funny part is if you attach a camera to a small model, snap a few, and sell them, it is illegal.

 

[Derg]

The funny part is if you attach a camera to a small model, snap a few, and sell them, it is illegal.

Is it?

 

[Itchy]

Is it?

Yes.
The FEDs need to break out models, right now everything falls in one basket apparently.
http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsid=6287

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

Sorry but the answer is no.
Perry - Must have commercial for photogtraphy

 

[Itchy]

Thanks Midlife, that makes more sense.

 

[ChasenSFO]

Seems like you can't run a business using an airplane obviously, but if I read that right, you can take pictures for fun and accept an offer for sale if approached right? I've been in situations like that where Airliners magazine or someone wanted shots of mine from Jetphotos.net that I took while flying. Not with any intent to sell said picture at the time of taking it, of course.

 

[Itchy]

Seems like you can't run a business using an airplane obviously, but if I read that right, you can take pictures for fun and accept an offer for sale if approached right? I've been in situations like that where Airliners magazine or someone wanted shots of mine from Jetphotos.net that I took while flying. Not with any intent to sell said picture at the time of taking it, of course.

I suppose. But what happens when you get good at it, and develop a reputation, and business just appears?

Check out this guys website/ work:

http://www.gravityshots.com/

http://vimeo.com/gravityshots/videos

Impressive stuff.

 

[MidlifeFlyer]

I suppose. But what happens when you get good at it, and develop a reputation, and business just appears?

You get a commercial certificate?

It's one of those unfortunate (and potentially problematic) Chief Counsel opinions that could just as easily have (and probably should have) gone the other way, leaving the requirement for a commercial certificate for those acting as a photography platform and being paid for flying, not taking pictures.

My question is: since the photography exception to an operating certificate requires that there be no point of landing other than the departure airport, does a commercial pilot who is taking his own pictures violate the rules if he lands solo somewhere?

 

[Itchy]

You get a commercial certificate?

It's one of those unfortunate (and potentially problematic) Chief Counsel opinions that could just as easily have (and probably should have) gone the other way, leaving the requirement for a commercial certificate for those acting as a photography platform and being paid for flying, not taking pictures.

My question is: since the photography exception to an operating certificate requires that there be no point of landing other than the departure airport, does a commercial pilot who is taking his own pictures violate the rules if he lands solo somewhere?

ATP decades ago. Getting to be an old timer. There is no problem I am sure of a private pilot taking pictures, it is selling them that is the tricky part.

 

[drunkenbeagle]

Sorry but the answer is no.
Perry - Must have commercial for photogtraphy

I guess you can tow a glider while snapping said pictures, which would be legal while snapping said photos with a PPL. You can even be compensated then with cold hard cash then, so long as you are tethered to another aircraft. Makes a lot of sense, eh?

A while back, an FAA Inspector wired up a tow plane around here with cameras - because they wanted some footage to use for something they were doing (not sure if it was for official use or not).

 

[tomokc]

A buddy learned to operate an RC aerial platform (sorry - I have a hard time using "fly" and "aircraft" when talking about these things) using a hi-res digital point & shoot. He even published a coffee table book that was sold with proceeds going to a local charity. He's a smart, cautious guy and cognizant of the 400' altitude limit for his operations. His results are amazing and he's doing quite well.

 

[nocturnalaviator]

Can a private pilot use his own airplane, take pictures, and sell them?

And you don't advertise. You have a long way to go to compete with me, my cam costs about 1 mil.

 

[RICHARD5]

Do it the way Vegas streetwalkers bend the rules. 100 roses for some very expensive paper. Paper comes framed if so desired.