[lbi_editorial_note inner_content=”Photo is in Production.” timestamp=”4:39pm on June 1, 2015″]
Taking flight
Baton Rouge brothers Danny and Kevin Landry hope recently obtained approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly drones legally for commercial use will help their fledging aerial photography business take off.
The Landrys founded LandBros Aerial Photography in 2014, and they say their company is the first in Louisiana to obtain an exemption from the FAA for commercial drone use. The brothers use small remote-controlled, low-altitude quadcopters with mounted cameras to take aerial photos and videos of industrial and commercial construction sites.
“For us, the goal is to take photos from a low altitude and create something that gives an advantage for construction site,” Danny Landry says.
The Landry brothers had experience working in the construction industry prior to starting their aerial photography business. They decided to launch their business about a year ago after flying drones recreationally.
“It took about six months,” Danny says of the application process. “There’s a lot of technical things in the application checking if it’s in the public interest, and will it benefit the public. Safety is always important.”
LandBros was one of more than 500 applicants to apply for approval since it was made available earlier this year, according to the FAA’s website. The approval allows unmanned aircraft under 55 pounds to be flown for commercial use up to 400 feet high.
—Deanna Narveson
