¿Necesito un piloto de dron certificado en Florida?
By Robert Dangond, Founder, South Florida Virtual Tour · October 2026 · 5 min read
TL;DR
Yes. Flying a drone to market a listing is flying for business, and the FAA requires a Remote Pilot Certificate under Part 107 for that.
The pilot's certificate is only one piece. The drone has to be registered and broadcast Remote ID, and in controlled airspace, which covers the area around most airports here, the flight needs FAA authorization first.
South Florida has three large airports and several smaller ones close to many listings, so checking the airspace is part of every shoot here.
Before you hire anyone, ask for five things: the certificate, the registration, Remote ID, the airspace authorization and proof of insurance.
A seller's nephew has a new drone. He offers to shoot the waterfront listing for free on Saturday. It sounds like a favor. It is a commercial flight. If the paperwork behind it is missing, the photo still ends up in the agent's marketing, and the agent is the one explaining it to the seller.
That's the real question behind "do I need a licensed pilot":whether the person flying is allowed to.
What the FAA requires
The FAA puts it plainly: with a drone under 55 pounds, you canfly for work or business by following the Part 107 rules. Shooting a property to sell it is business, whether or not the person flying gets paid for that one flight.
To get the certificate, a pilot has to be at least 16, pass the FAA's aeronautical knowledge test and clear a TSA security background check. After that, the FAA requires a free online recurrent course every 24 calendar months to stay current. The certificate has to be with the pilot on every flight. You can read the full process on the FAA'sBecome a Certificated Remote Pilotpage.
The drone needs its own paperwork too. Each drone flown under Part 107 is registered with the FAA ($5, valid three years), marked with its number, and since September 16, 2023 it has to broadcastRemote ID, a digital license plate that broadcasts the drone's ID, its location and where the pilot is standing.
Why South Florida is stricter in practice
The rules are federal and the same in every state. What changes here is the map. Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Palm Beach each have a large international airport, and there are smaller towered airports between them. Around towered airports the airspace is controlled, and a Part 107 pilot needs authorization before taking off. Most of the time that comes throughLAANC, the FAA's system that can approve a request in near real time from an approved app.
A listing a few miles from a runway is common here. A pilot who skips that step is not saving time.They are flying where the FAA has not said yes.
Twilight is the other trap. A drone shot at dusk looks great over the water, and the rules for it are specific: during civil twilight and at night, the drone has to carry anti-collision lighting visible for three statute miles, under14 CFR 107.29.
Five things to ask any drone operator
The Remote Pilot Certificate.Ask to see it. A real pilot has it on them.
The drone's FAA registration number.It should be marked on the aircraft.
Remote ID.Built in or through a broadcast module. Either works.
The airspace check.For a listing near an airport, ask whether they have the LAANC authorization for that address and time.
Insurance.Ask for proof of liability coverage before anyone flies over your client's property.
If an operator can't answer these in a minute, that's your answer.
How we handle drone shoots at SFVT
Our drone work is flown under FAA Part 107. You can add aerial photos to a photo session for$99, book them on their own for$199, or add aerial video clips for$250. See every option on ourpricing page. Getting the property ready helps the aerials as much as the interiors: ourprep checklistcovers the roof, the pool and the driveway. For what to book by type of property, see ourmedia guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly my own drone for my own listings?
Yes, if you hold a Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate and follow the rules. Marketing a listing is business use, even when it's your own.
Is the hobby exception enough if nobody pays the pilot?
No. The recreational rules are for flying purely for fun. A flight that helps sell a property is a business flight, paid or not.
Does Florida have its own drone license?
The pilot certificate comes from the FAA, not the state. Florida also has a drone privacy law,section 934.50 of the Florida Statutes, which targets using a drone to record people or private property in a way that violates their reasonable expectation of privacy. A careful pilot keeps the camera on the listing.
How far ahead should I book a drone shoot?
Give it a few days when you can. Near an airport, the authorization request can go in up to 90 days ahead through LAANC, and weather and wind decide the final go.
Can a drone shoot at twilight?
Yes, if the drone carries anti-collision lighting visible for three statute miles and the pilot is current on the training. Near an airport, night flights also need airspace authorization.
Keep reading
Real Estate Media in South Florida: What to Book, What's Included
How to prepare a South Florida listing for photos, 3D and drone
FAA: Certificated Remote Pilots including Commercial Operators
Want the full playbook?The free South Florida Listing Media Toolkit covers what media each property needs, how to prepare it and how to promote it.Get the free Toolkit here.
Questions before you book? Call+1 954 533 6490. South Florida, from every angle.
