Critical Infrastructure?

[-MavicMiniPilot]

How do I tell if something is part of critical infrastructure and if I can fly there? For example I was looking at this one spot in Morgantown Wv:
Morgantown Lock and Dam
(304) 292-1885

Morgantown Lock and Dam · 26 Morgantown Lock Rd, Morgantown, WV 26501

★★★★★ · Army facility

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Vic Moss]

Put the address into the FAA's UAS DATA Map. ArcGIS Web Application

Make sure you have all of the boxes checked on the Layers List.

Morgantown Lock and Dam are not official FAA NFZs. The area around it is not red in the ArcGIS map.

 

[MA2 317]

The airspace is Class D and you'll need LAANC approval to fly.

Might have to unlock DJI's geo fence too.

Your link says the locks is an Army facility.

 

[JimWest]

There are also laws in some states that attempt to control drone flights above "critical infrastructure." Texas is perhaps the worst, prohibiting flights over things like oil and gas facilities, railroad switching yards, certain dams, and a very long list of other locations. You can fly above these if you are more than 400 feet off the ground, but of course you can't fly that high. There are lots of questions about the legality of states making these kind of airspace restrictions. The National Press Photographers Association, for instance, has a lawsuit against Texas. I don't know about West Virginia, but its probably a good idea to check local and state laws so you know what kind of hassles you may be flying into.

 

[Vic Moss]

There are also laws in some states that attempt to control drone flights above "critical infrastructure." Texas is perhaps the worst, prohibiting flights over things like oil and gas facilities, railroad switching yards, certain dams, and a very long list of other locations. You can fly above these if you are more than 400 feet off the ground, but of course you can't fly that high. There are lots of questions about the legality of states making these kind of airspace restrictions. The National Press Photographers Association, for instance, has a lawsuit against Texas. I don't know about West Virginia, but its probably a good idea to check local and state laws so you know what kind of hassles you may be flying into.

NPPA won their lawsuit last year. Those laws are no longer on the book. They were thrown out in April of last year for violating the First Amendment.

Mirian wrote a good article here: Texas Drone Law Struck Down: Restrictions Violate First Amendment Rights

 

[GFields]

NPPA won their lawsuit last year. Those laws are no longer on the book. They were thrown out in April of last year for violating the First Amendment.

Mirian wrote a good article here: Texas Drone Law Struck Down: Restrictions Violate First Amendment Rights

I had read this.

 

[JimWest]

NPPA won their lawsuit last year. Those laws are no longer on the book. They were thrown out in April of last year for violating the First Amendment.

Mirian wrote a good article here: Texas Drone Law Struck Down: Restrictions Violate First Amendment Rights

Thanks for the update, Vic.

 

[-MavicMiniPilot]

Put the address into the FAA's UAS DATA Map. ArcGIS Web Application

Make sure you have all of the boxes checked on the Layers List.

Morgantown Lock and Dam are not official FAA NFZs. The area around it is not red in the ArcGIS map.

Thank you sir, I appreciate the help!

 

[BobaFut]

I would try and avoid launching/landing from any area that is controlled by the Army CoE (parking lot, visitor center, adjacent parks, etc...), just because I think they have a no drone policy at their facilities. But that only applies to launch/land and not actual airspace.

 

[Vic Moss]

I would try and avoid launching/landing from any area that is controlled by the Army CoE (parking lot, visitor center, adjacent parks, etc...), just because I think they have a no drone policy at their facilities. But that only applies to launch/land and not actual airspace.

ACE does have a bo drone policy, and it supposed to cover only flight operating from lands and waters under their control. However, some facilities play fast and loose with their drone rules by misquoting their aviation rules.

Kenji and I talk about that in one of our DSPA Newscasts.

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[-MavicMiniPilot]

I would try and avoid launching/landing from any area that is controlled by the Army CoE (parking lot, visitor center, adjacent parks, etc...), just because I think they have a no drone policy at their facilities. But that only applies to launch/land and not actual airspace.

I found a park on the other side of the river that I launched from.