How to Start a Drone Business in 2025: Requirements, Costs, and U.S.-Made Alternatives

The drone industry is booming in the United States, from real estate marketing to inspections, mapping, and creative content. But in 2025, starting your own drone business requires more than buying a quadcopter and a camera—it demands compliance, investment, and strategic planning.

With DJI drones no longer available in the U.S. due to import restrictions, aspiring pilots must now rely on U.S.-made alternatives to stay competitive. Here’s what you need to know before launching your drone business in Salt Lake City or beyond.

FAA Requirements Every Drone Business Must Meet

Before you fly commercially, you need to be compliant with federal law:

• FAA Part 107 Certification – Pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Test ($175) to operate legally. Renewal is required through free, recurring training every 24 months.

• Drone Registration – Each commercial drone must be registered with the FAA ($5 per drone, valid for 3 years).

• Remote ID Compliance – Newer drones have this built in; older models require a broadcast module. Exceptions exist for designated FRIA zones.

• Airspace Authorizations – Use LAANC for near-instant approvals to fly in controlled airspace, such as near Salt Lake City International.

• Night Operations – Allowed if you’ve completed the required training and use an anti-collision strobe visible for three miles.

Failure to comply can cost you big: civil fines can reach $27,500, and criminal penalties go as high as $250,000 plus jail time.

The Big Shift: DJI Banned in the U.S.

For years, DJI dominated the drone market, controlling over 70% of U.S. civilian sales. But with new restrictions on Chinese-made drones, DJI products are no longer available through official U.S. channels.

This creates both a challenge and an opportunity: operators must adapt by investing in U.S.-made alternatives, which often cost more upfront but open doors to federal contracts and long-term stability.

U.S.-Made Drone Alternatives for Entrepreneurs

Here are reliable American drone manufacturers to consider when starting your business:

• Skydio (California) – Known for advanced autonomy, obstacle avoidance, and enterprise use cases. The Skydio X10 offers high-end imaging and thermal payloads.

• Freefly Systems (Washington) – Creators of the Alta X, a heavy-lift drone built for cinema and commercial applications.

• Applied Aeronautics (Texas) – Specializes in the Albatross fixed-wing drone, which is popular for mapping, surveying, and agricultural applications.

• AeroVironment (Virginia) – A long-time defense contractor offering rugged drones, such as the Puma and Raven, is now branching into dual-use markets.

• Teal Drones (Utah) – Based in Salt Lake City, Teal builds NDAA-compliant drones with autonomous flight and military-grade durability.

Choosing a U.S.-made drone isn’t just patriotic—it’s compliant, future-proof, and marketable to government and enterprise clients who require NDAA-approved equipment.

Startup Costs: What You’ll Really Spend

Launching a drone business isn’t cheap. Here’s what to budget for:

Entry-Level Real Estate Kit – $3,000–$5,000

• Skydio or Teal drone ($3,000–$4,000)

• Accessories (ND filters, batteries, case, strobes, memory cards) – $500–$800

• FAA certification, registration, insurance – $700–$1,200

Professional Content Creator Kit – $7,000–$12,000

• Freefly Alta X or Applied Aeronautics Albatross – $5,000–$8,000

• Ground camera (Sony a7 IV or similar) – $2,500–$3,000

• Stabilizer/gimbal – $500–$600

• Laptop/workstation with 32GB RAM & GPU – $1,500–$3,000

• Editing software (Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro) – $300–$700

Enterprise Mapping & Inspection Kit – $10,000–$20,000+

• Enterprise-class drone (Applied Aeronautics or AeroVironment models)

• Thermal or LiDAR sensors for specialized inspections

• Photogrammetry or mapping software subscription – $300–$600/month

• Enterprise insurance package – $1,000+ annually

Don’t Forget: Editing & Professional Delivery

Flying the drone is only half the business—high-end editing and delivery sell the service.

Clients expect HDR photos, color grading, video stabilization, cinematic cuts, and even sky replacements. This requires powerful computers and software, as well as the expertise to transform a raw flight into a polished product.

If you want magazine-quality visuals, be prepared to charge more and explain the value of professional post-production.

Why Insurance & Business Structure Matter

• Insurance – Budget $500–$1,200 per year for $1M–$2M liability coverage. On-demand options are available if you’re starting.

• Business Entity – Many pilots form an LLC for liability protection. In Utah, filing costs $59, with an $18 annual report fee.

Final Checklist for Drone Entrepreneurs

Pass FAA Part 107 and register your drones

Purchase Remote ID-compliant or U.S.-made drones

Get insurance and set up your LLC

Invest in accessories, editing software, and marketing tools

Build a professional portfolio with HDR photos and cinematic reels

Offer tiered packages (basic photo, video, and premium editing options)

Final Thoughts

Starting a drone business in 2025 is exciting—but also more complex than ever. With DJI drones no longer available, entrepreneurs must look to U.S.-made alternatives like Skydio, Teal, Freefly, and Applied Aeronautics. While these options come at a higher cost, they’re legally compliant, durable, and open the door to more lucrative opportunities.

If you’re in Salt Lake City and serious about launching a drone business, success comes down to compliance, quality, and professionalism. Invest wisely in your gear, editing workflow, and reputation—and you’ll be ready to soar above the competition.

👉 Need professional, Part 107-certified aerial services today? Contact Sky Vision Lens—your local Salt Lake City drone experts.