Gary had a new listing and a bold idea: drone shots.

He didn’t have a drone. Or a license. Or, frankly, a plan.

But his neighbor’s 15-year-old nephew “was super good at flying one,” so naturally, Gary handed over the keys to the sky. Moments later, the drone was embedded in a neighbor’s window, a squirrel had a near-death experience, and Gary discovered that “just winging it” isn’t an FAA-approved flight plan.

Spoiler alert: The fines for using an unlicensed drone pilot? Up to $11,000. Per flight.

Learn what Gary should’ve done—and how SmartShot Photo can help you avoid a crash landing of your own.