How much does an aerial photography license cost? Comprehensive analysis of examination fees and hot topics
In recent years, with the popularity of drone technology, aerial photography has become a popular choice among photography enthusiasts and professional pilots. But if you want to fly legally, it is essential to obtain an aerial photography license (such as the CAAC license issued by the Civil Aviation Administration of China). This article will combine the hot topics on the Internet in the past 10 days to provide you with a detailed analysis of the fee structure of aerial photography licenses, and attach relevant data comparisons.
1. Comparison of aerial photography license types and fees

At present, the mainstream domestic aerial photography licenses are divided into the following three categories, with significant differences in fees:
| License type | Applicable scenarios | Training cost (yuan) | Examination fee (yuan) | Total cost (yuan) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAAC driver within visual range | Amateur aerial photography, basic commercial flying | 3000-5000 | 800-1200 | 3800-6200 |
| CAAC beyond visual range driver | Professional aerial photography, surveying and mapping, etc. | 6000-10000 | 1500-2000 | 7500-12000 |
| AOPA certificate | International recognition (some countries) | 8000-15000 | 2000-3000 | 10000-18000 |
2. Correlation analysis of hot topics across the entire network
In the past 10 days, the following topics related to aerial photography have been very popular and are directly related to license fees:
| hot topics | focus of discussion | Associated expense items |
|---|---|---|
| “The number of examinations has skyrocketed after the new regulations on drones” | Regulations will be tightened in 2024, with fines of up to NT$100,000 for flying without a license | Training costs increase by 10%-15% |
| “How to get back the cost of receiving an aerial photography order” | Professional pilots share research on investment return cycle | There is a 30% premium for receiving orders for a beyond-visual-range license. |
| "Training Institutions' Guide to Avoiding Pitfalls" | Expose low-price traps and hidden charges | Some institutions charge up to 2,000 yuan for the second time |
3. Cost details and money-saving suggestions
According to surveys, aerial photography license fees usually include the following components:
| Expense items | Proportion | Ways to save |
|---|---|---|
| theoretical training | 25%-35% | Choose online courses for 20% off |
| Practical training | 40%-50% | Bring your own equipment and get a 500-1,000 yuan discount |
| Exam service fee | 15%-20% | Transportation costs are lower in centralized test centers |
| Textbooks and insurance | 5%-10% | Buy it yourself and save 30% |
4. The latest policy impact in 2024
It is worth noting that the "Interim Regulations on the Management of Unmanned Aircraft Flights" implemented in March this year has brought about two major cost changes:
1.The exam difficulty increases:The passing rate of practical subjects dropped to 65%, and the re-examination fee (about 500 yuan/time) needs to be included in the budget;
2.The annual review fees are clearly stated:The license needs to be paid 300-500 yuan every year to maintain its validity, and some training institutions have launched an "annual review" package.
5. Cost recovery cases for professional pilots
Take the data shared by the popular Douyin creator "Aerial Photography Lao Li" as an example:
| Invest in projects | Amount (yuan) | payback cycle |
|---|---|---|
| beyond visual range license | 9800 | 3 months |
| Equipment upgrade | 15000 | 6 months |
| commercial insurance | 1200/year | 1 month |
Its experience shows:Order priceThe price increased from RMB 200-300 per order without a license to RMB 800-1500 per order after having a license, significantly accelerating cost recovery.
Summary:The cost of aerial photography license is affected by many factors such as type, policy, region, etc. It is recommended to choose based on actual needs. Recent popularity shows that with the standardization of the industry, the competitive advantage of certified pilots will continue to expand, and investment verification is becoming a necessary step for career development.
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