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Guide series · Four parts · ~45 minutes total

The Rotor Rate Blueprint: Part 107 to paid, start to tax season: Part 107 to paid, start to tax season

Guide series · Four parts · ~45 minutes total You passed Part 107. Congratulations — you are now legally allowed to fly for money! Seriously, how cool is that!? However, you might be completely unprepared to run a business. Guess what, that is normal, and this guide is the fix. Four parts, in order, from paperwork to your first paid mission to the folder you hand your accountant in January.

Who this is for

  • You have (or are about to have) a Part 107 remote pilot certificate and no business yet.
  • You want this to be real income — side hustle now, maybe full-time later.
  • Nobody has explained EINs, certificates of insurance, or quarterly taxes to you, and you'd rather not learn them by getting them wrong.

Read it in order. Each part ends with a short checklist; if you can tick every box, move on. Nothing here is legal or tax advice — it is the map, with links to the actual rule-makers (FAA, IRS, SBA) so you can check the terrain yourself.

The four parts

  1. Part 1 · 11 min

    Legit: from certificate to a real business

    FAA registration, sole proprietor vs. LLC, EIN, a business bank account, licenses, and the insurance conversation.

    Start reading

  2. Part 2 · 10 min

    Your number: what you must charge to not lose money

    Gear, overhead, drive time, and unbilled editing — turned into a floor you can defend and a price you can quote.

    Start reading

  3. Part 3 · 12 min

    First clients: networks, direct work, and flying the job

    Two doors into paid work, how to pick your first jobs, and the mission-day routine from LAANC to invoice.

    Start reading

  4. Part 4 · 12 min

    Money and taxes: quarterly payments and the year-end packet

    Self-employment tax, estimated payments, the mileage log the IRS wants, and one clean folder for your accountant.

    Start reading

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