Jeff

Long before drones were invented, the Feds (FAA folks) have always been confronted with having to prove what one's intentions were with an airplane and/or your license. I'm well familiar with the FAA as you know. Now, instead of airplane discussions, it's drones.

Is your intention to merely enjoy the relaxation, yet challenging pastime of flying your drone over your vast acreage & viewing the beautiful greenery & luscious leaves, and everything else you can see below, to the side, and above your present ground-bound level? Plus producing videos & photos for posterity's sake?

Or, will you tell them that you bought the drone so you can decide where/when/how to make financial decisions off that same beautiful field or anyone else's field?

Just like walking by the Victoria Secrets store @ the mall. You tell your wife you're not looking, you're just trying to watch where you're going.

Look at NAT & see comments when someone posts a photo of a distressed corn field. Some responders notice the tree line you have on the side of the field & ask what species of trees those are. The poster probably never considered the trees were even there.

My summary.....if you're going to hang a shingle advertising your drone-abilities for compensation...then you'd better comply w/107. Not just having the ticket, but comply w/the regs. If you just want to admire the beauty, no license needed.....yet.