I cannot find in the FAA rules where taking aerial photos became commercial with regards to normal aircraft. I'm sure some pilot's magazines had aerial photos taken from plane-to-plane while being flown by private pilots without holding a commercial pilots license. Same for helicopter pilots who take a photographer/cinematographer up sans a commercial license. The FAA commercial license seems to have evolved from hauling people for profit, but the photo end of it somehow became profitable and then seen as commercial by the FAA if sold later and even if the pilot was sole operator taking a photo?
So why does this commercial 107 need apply to drones? I see too many hobbyist or recreational drone operators flying for jobs appearing on TV and local news sans any 107 license (The local 107 test center knows who is licensed and not doing this stuff.). The 107 waivers take forever in a news event, yet they fly regardless of being nighttime flights (Like local fire dept. looking for illegal fireworks.), news of structure or wildfires, car lot TV sales ads near airports, etc.
The hobbyists (Who sell to whomever.) seem to get away with far less restrictions than holding a 107 and dealing with the FAA waiver wait. The 107 seems more like a hindrance than helping fly for profit, imho.
So why does this commercial 107 need apply to drones? I see too many hobbyist or recreational drone operators flying for jobs appearing on TV and local news sans any 107 license (The local 107 test center knows who is licensed and not doing this stuff.). The 107 waivers take forever in a news event, yet they fly regardless of being nighttime flights (Like local fire dept. looking for illegal fireworks.), news of structure or wildfires, car lot TV sales ads near airports, etc.
The hobbyists (Who sell to whomever.) seem to get away with far less restrictions than holding a 107 and dealing with the FAA waiver wait. The 107 seems more like a hindrance than helping fly for profit, imho.