Aerial photography pilots fly small aircraft and either take photos themselves or transport photographers who want to take photos from the air. Here are the four steps that you need to take to become an aerial photography pilot:

Get a Private Pilot License

The first step in becoming a pilot is obtaining your private pilot certificate. Your flight training for this license will teach you the basics of operating an airplane and allow you to fly fixed-wing aircraft recreationally.

You will need to be at least 17 years old and acquire an FAA medical certificate to get your private pilot license. The training can be completed in as little as two months if you work on it full time.  

Obtain a Commercial Pilot License

In order to obtain employment as a pilot, you will need a commercial pilot certificate. This will allow you to work in jobs like flight instruction, surveying, and aerial photography.

The FAA requires pilots to have at least 250 hours before earning this certificate, so it can take around a year even if you fly full time.

Acquire Additional Ratings and Gain Experience

Some aerial photography employers will hire you with only a commercial pilot certificate, but others may require additional training and ratings.

Common requirements include an instrument rating—which allows you to fly solely by referencing an aircraft’s instruments rather than the outside surroundings—or a multiengine rating. 

• READ MORE: Paul Bowen Aviation Photography

Most job postings will require applicants to have more than 250 hours of flight time, so you will likely need to build more flight time before applying to jobs.

Get Hired as an Aerial Photography Pilot

The final step is to apply to jobs and get hired as an aerial photography pilot.

There are many aerial photography companies across the country. They typically fly smaller aircraft, including ones commonly used in flight training like the Cessna 172.

As is the case with any pilot job, it is important to review each job posting carefully to ensure that you meet the requirements and follow the instructions.

FAQs

How much do aerial photography pilots make?

Aerial photography is an entry-level pilot job. Although the pay can range between employers, new pilots typically make between $30,000 and $50,000 per year. Those with more experience and flying hours can expect to be paid more.

Can a private pilot do aerial photography?

With a private pilot certificate, you can take photos when you fly as long as you do so safely and in accordance with the regulations. There are many pilots who take photos or videos of their flights using devices like mounted action cameras. Similarly, you could bring a friend or family member on board who takes pictures for personal use. However, you are not allowed to fly for commercial purposes or make money through flying.

How do I become an aerial survey pilot?

The job of an aerial survey pilot is similar to that of an aerial photography pilot. Rather than take photos or transport photographers, aerial survey pilots perform mapping and data collection tasks during their flights (or carry crewmembers who do so). Aerial surveying is also an entry-level job for pilots, and the requirements and pay are comparable to those of an aerial photography pilot.

The post How to Become an Aerial Photography Pilot appeared first on FLYING Magazine.

The fire broke out on Tuesday, August 8, and is being pushed by strong winds generated by an approaching Category 4 Hurricane Dora. The cause of the fire has not been determined. However, state officials and the national weather service note that Hawaii has been under a red flag warning because of dry conditions and high winds, which heighten fire danger.

On Tuesday, the winds were so high aerial support was not an option. When the winds died down, the Hawaii wing of the CAP conducted two aerial surveys of the devastation to look for changes in fire behavior that may threaten other communities.

Aerial photography captured by the missions shows streets reduced to ashes. The fire appears to have destroyed much of the town of Lahaina, a popular tourist destination. State media reported the fire moved so quickly that people ran down to the harbor to escape the flames. The U.S. Coast Guard rescued them.

According to the CAP, the photos “are being used to document and provide detailed information for damage assessment and search and rescue operations at various locations on the island.”

According to the Seattle Times, Maui County officials say more than 270 structures have been damaged or destroyed, and dozens of people have been injured. The Maui fire is the deadliest in the U.S. since the Camp Fire that destroyed the town of Paradise in California in 2018 and killed 85 people.

About the CAP

The Civil Air Patrol was established in 1941 as an auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. The CAP operates a fleet of 555 single-engine aircraft and 2,250 small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS). The CAP is a non-profit organization that performs 90 percent of search and rescue operations in the contiguous U.S. The organization is also a leader in aerospace education, offering STEM-based courses (science, technology, engineering, and math) to cadets under 18.

This is a developing story that FLYING continues to follow.

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We have pulled our favorite images from 2021’s news and features online into a collection for you to enjoy. Let us know your favorites, too, at editorial@flying.media.

Here’s to capturing more aviation memories in 2022!

Funk’s historic moment: Wally Funk steps out of Blue Origin’s New Shepard capsule after fulfilling a lifelong dream of reaching space. Funk, a trailblazer for female aviators, finally was able to achieve her lifelong goal of flying into space for the first time at the age of 82.

The joy of airshows returns: Air shows were on again in 2021, with EAA AirVenture at Oshkosh, Wisconsin, hosting a record crowd. The Phillips 66 Aerostars took scholarship winners from I Hart Flying up for a demo flight.

Joby takes flight: Joby Aviation, one of the many companies vying for market share in the busy eVTOL space, makes a 150-nm milestone flight in July.

Houston coolness: The B-17 Texas Raiders from the Commemorative Air Force Gulf Coast Wing give the crowd a glimpse of the past at Wings Over Houston.

Winner, winner: Vicky Benzing taxis in after securing her win in the Silver Sport Class at the National Championship Reno Air Races in September. Benzing blazed around the course at 305 mph in Lucky Girl, her Lancair Legacy. 

Storming in: The first STOL Drag races take place at Reno in September, with single-engine airplanes of all stripes duking it out in front of the crowds.

The big reveal: Gulfstream unveils its G400 (pictured) and G800 to fill out its lineup of midsize to ultralong-haul jets at an unveiling in Savannah in October.

Quite a view: FLYING staff reporter Jeremy Kariuki shares the aircraft he’s most thankful for: the Lockheed C-130 he served on as crew chief in Wichita Falls, Texas.

A special ride: Balloonist Kim Magee secured the Montgolfier Diploma from the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI) for her flight in an AX-05 balloon.

Fastest in the world: Rolls-Royce proves it’s serious about electric aircraft with its record-setting flight in the Spirit of Innovation in November.

We like big airplanes: Want to know what it’s like to fly the world’s largest airplane? Stratolaunch Director of Flight Operations Evan Thomas, left, and co-pilot Mark “Gidro” Giddings bank right during Roc’s second flight. 

A new era begins: FLYING Senior Vice President of Global Sales & Partnerships Lisa deFrees and Editor-in Chief Julie Boatman celebrate with FLYING owner Craig Fuller at EAA AirVenture after bestowing the 2021 Innovation Award upon Garmin, Piper, Daher, and Cirrus for Autoland. Fuller had just closed the deal to purchase the legendary title—and launch the new FLYING.

The post Our Favorite Photos of 2021 appeared first on FLYING Magazine.