Flying Your Drone As A College-Funding Business

Introduction: Turning a Hobby into Cash

If you’re a high school student with a drone—or thinking about getting one—you may already know that flying it is fun. But here’s the exciting part: that hobby could also help you earn serious summer money for college. Today, drones aren’t just toys; they’re tools used in photography, mapping, inspections, marketing, and even creative art projects. And thanks to affordable models, you don’t need a $5,000 professional setup to get started.

With the right training, business plan, and marketing, you can turn your drone into a mini money-making machine.

Step 1: Know the Rules (Canada Edition)

• Before you start earning money with a drone in Canada, you must understand the rules set by Transport Canada.

• Registration: If your drone weighs between 250 g and 25 kg, it must be registered, and the registration number must be clearly marked on the drone.

• Pilot Certificate:

• Basic Pilot Certificate – For low-risk operations (e.g., away from bystanders, outside controlled airspace).

•   Advanced Pilot Certificate – For higher-risk operations (e.g., near people, in controlled airspace).

•   You’ll take an online exam for either certificate through Transport Canada’s site.

• Minimum Age: 14 for baic operations, 16 for advanced.

• Cost: $10 for drone registration + \$10 online exam fee for the basic certificate (more for advanced).

• Insurance: Not legally required, but smart to have for liability. Many companies offer short-term or seasonal drone insurance.

📌 Tip: Check out Transport Canada’s Drone Safety site for the latest rules and practice exams.

Step 2: Choosing an Affordable Drone

You don’t need a Hollywood-grade drone to run a small summer business.

 Here are some budget-friendly options.                                                                                                                                                                                             

DJI Mini 2 SE         

Approx. Cost (CAD)  \$479       Flight Time: 31 min     

Camera Quality: 2.7K videoBest Use:Real Estate,

social media content

Ryze Tello                   -

Approx. Cost (CAD) \$150      Flight Time: 13 min     

Camera Quality:720p video

Best Use: Event teasers,

practice drone     

   

Holy Stone HS720E   

Approx. Cost (CAD) \$350  

Flight Time:23 min     

Camera Quality: 4K video    

Best Use: Outdoor videos,

inspections   

       

Potensic Dreamer Pro

Approx. Cost (CAD) \$400     Flight Time 28 min     C1amera Qualituy:4K vide      

Best Use: Agriculture surveys,

marketing        

DJI Mini 3

Approx. Cost (CAD)   \$699        Flight Time 38 min     

Camera Quality: 4K HDR video

Best Use: Weddings,

professional-look

Go to check Amazon.ca or Amazon.com to check out the drones you are looking for. Affiliate.*

*CAD=Canadian funds

📌 Tip: Choose a drone under 250 g (like the DJI Mini series) if you want fewer regulatory hurdles, but remember you still need a certificate for commercial work.

Step 3: 20 Drone-Based Business Ideas

Here are money-making ideas a high schooler can realistically do with an inexpensive drone:

1. Real Estate Photography – Take aerial shots of homes for sale.

2. Event Highlights – Capture school sports, community fairs, or parades (with permission).

3. Tourism Videos – Create short videos of local attractions for tourism boards.

4. Roof Inspections – Check for damage after storms.

5. Agricultural Crop Surveys – Provide farmers with visual crop health checks.

6. Construction Progress Photos – Document stages for builders.

7. Marketing Videos for Small Businesses – Showcase outdoor spaces and store locations.

8. Social Media Content Creation – Flyovers for influencers or local brands.

9. Property Mapping for Landowners – Create stitched maps of properties.

10. Golf Course Overviews – Make promotional videos for golf clubs.

11. Pet Adventure Videos – Record fun outdoor clips for pet owners.

12. School Promotional Videos – Help local schools update their marketing.

13. Nature Footage Sales – Sell stock footage to sites like Shutterstock.

14. Beach & Park Safety Patrols – Help local authorities spot crowding or hazards.

15. Wedding Drone Footage – Capture aerial views of ceremonies.

16. RV Park or Campground Tours – Promote sites for summer tourists.

17. Sports Team Promo Clips – Highlight players and games from above.

18. Garden & Landscaping Showcase – Show off yards for landscapers.

19. Neighborhood History Tours – Combine drone footage with local history facts.

20. YouTube Channel – Monetize videos about your local area.

Step 4: Learning & Inspiration

Want to get inspired or learn the skills for your drone business?

YouTube Creators

  Billy Kyle (drone tips & reviews)

  Ken Heron (fun + educational flying)

Online Courses:

  Udemy’s Drone Photography & Mapping courses

   Pilot Institute’s Canadian drone pilot training

Social Media Hashtags: Search `#dronephotography`, `#dronelife`, or `#djimini` on Instagram/TikTok.

Local Meetups: Check Facebook groups for local drone pilots.

Step 5: Getting the Word Out

* Post your best shots on Instagram, TikTok, or Facebook.

* Offer a “first job free” promo to build your portfolio.

* Drop off flyers at real estate offices, golf courses, and farms.

* Join your local Chamber of Commerce youth entrepreneur program.

* Network at community fairs or farmers’ markets.

Step 6: Understanding Costs & Pricing

Startup Costs (approximate CAD):

* Drone purchase: \$150–\$700

* Registration: \$10

* Certification: \$10–\$25

* Liability insurance: \$200–\$400 (seasonal)

* Marketing (flyers, business cards, ads): \$50–\$200

Ongoing Costs:

* Battery replacements: \$60–\$150

* Maintenance/repairs: \$50–\$200 per season

* Software subscriptions (for editing/mapping): \$10–\$40/month

Typical Pricing Range (per job in Canada):

* Real estate photos: \$100–\$300

* Event highlight reel: \$150–\$500

* Roof inspection: \$75–\$200

* Mapping/agriculture: \$150–\$400

* Small business promo video: \$200–\$500

📌 One last tip: Start small, do a few jobs for free to get reviews, then raise your rates as your skills (and your drone) improve.

 The Landing:

A drone can be more than a fun gadget—it can be a stepping stone toward your college fund. If you approach it as a real business, follow the rules, and focus on quality, you can earn money while building a portfolio that might even help you in future careers.

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