When a client asks about drone footage, the first question is usually about what it looks like. The more important question is whether it’s legal.
In Ohio, as in every state, commercial drone operation requires FAA Part 107 certification. Not a hobbyist registration. A full FAA knowledge test, a background check, and a certification that has to be renewed every two years. At AmeriFilms, our lead cinematographer Souley Oumarou holds FAA Part 107 certification. Here’s what that means for your project.
What Part 107 actually allows
Part 107 certification allows commercial drone operation under a specific set of rules. Flights during daylight hours, within visual line of sight, below 400 feet above ground level in uncontrolled airspace. Operations near airports, over people, at night, or beyond visual line of sight require additional waivers from the FAA.
Most corporate and brand film drone shoots in Ohio fall comfortably within standard Part 107 parameters. Facility overviews, exterior b-roll, landscape and environmental footage, real estate showcases — all achievable without waivers under normal conditions.
Why certification matters beyond legality
The FAA test isn’t just about rules. It covers airspace classification, weather interpretation, emergency procedures, and crew resource management. A certified pilot understands not just what they’re allowed to do, but what they should do when conditions change mid-shoot.
Wind shifts. Cloud cover drops. A helicopter enters the area. These are the moments where experience and certification separate a safe, productive shoot from a canceled one.
What great aerial footage actually requires
Certification gets you in the air. Cinematography keeps you there with purpose.
The best aerial footage is planned on the ground. We scout locations before every drone shoot — identifying the angles, the light conditions, and the movement paths that will serve the story. A drone flying in random patterns produces random footage. A drone following a planned shot list produces a film.
For the Cincinnati Convention Center project, we ran a dual-operator setup — an FPV drone for dynamic interior movement and a cinematic drone for the exterior reveals. Two pilots, two cameras, coordinated flight paths. That level of production requires planning, communication, and certification on both sides.
What to ask any drone operator in Ohio
Before hiring anyone to fly a drone on your project, ask three questions: Are you FAA Part 107 certified? Are you insured for commercial drone operations? Can you show me your certificate?
If the answer to any of those is no or hesitant, walk away. An uncertified operator puts your project, your property, and your liability at risk.
What we can do for your Ohio project
We provide FAA Part 107 certified aerial cinematography for brand films, facility showcases, event coverage, real estate, and documentary productions across Ohio. Talk to AmeriFilms about adding aerial to your next project. See our aerial cinematography page for examples.