It’s important to learn how to do roof inspections with a drone in compliance with unmanned aerial vehicle regulations. In Georgia, there are strict guidelines for operating UAV, regardless of the size of your drone. No one can simply take one out of the box and put it to work.

Using a drone for business purposes – whether you make a movie or inspect your property’s roof – requires a Remote Pilot Certificate. Even hobbyists must register with the FFA and follow federal policies. It’s no wonder operators sometimes wind up in hot water.

What Are the Chances You’ll Get Caught?

Unfortunately, people have used drones to commit serious crimes in Georgia, causing cities to disallow their use and law enforcement to crack down on violations. Even when considering one of their own.

In 2015, the city of Valdosta, GA, fired and charged a police officer for using a drone to spy on his neighbor. There have been numerous arrests for peeping in bedroom windows, destruction of property due to mishandling, harassing people with drone and flying too close to first-responders. Prisons have struggled to contain drone security in Georgia as well. In 2017, a 15-man crime ring used drones to smuggle contraband in and out of Calhoun State Prison.

One of the biggest problems law enforcement faces when it comes to drone-related crimes is identifying pilots. It’s taken seriously when people don’t register their aircraft or get the proper certification. It doesn’t make it likelier police will catch you, but it does make it more likely that you’ll deal with a harsh punishment.

For practical reasons, people without a need or desire for regular drone use, often hire the job out to a professional so they don’t have to worry about the details.

Proper Drone Handling for Roofing Inspections

Whether you can legally operate a drone is different entirely from whether you have the skills and know-how. As mentioned, drones and property damage go hand-in-hand. Inexperienced pilots have a habit of sending UAVs through windows and into the sides of buildings. During the Pride Parade 2015, a drone ran into a building in Seattle and fell into the crowd, causing serious injuries.

Every time you use a drone, you must consider the liabilities. Do you have the insurance coverage you need to complete a roofing inspection with your drone? Do you know how to handle it well enough to get the footage you need to assess the stability of your roofing materials?