Flying at Niagra falls (US side)
- Thread starter mavic pilot 3
- Start date
no, it is a NO FLY ZONE on the US side it is a National Park. There is a netflix documentary that shows someone getting a ticket for it.
I've been looking into this too - it's very hard to get solid information. It sounds like the area directly above the falls is federal and a no fly zone, but there's the state park nearby and that area is less clear. I'm visiting in April (before tourist season) and am hoping to get some legal flight time (the only kind I take!).
On top of what Jaysrmc said you would have all kinds of crazy air currents to deal with and might have trouble staying in control, not worth a ticket and potential Mavic loss IMHO.
I wouldn’t fly right over the falls. Just somewhere in the park close enough to see it from an altitude of 200 feet or something.
Give me some time to go through my history to see what it was called. It was about a couple from Europe that traveled around the states and they thought it would be ok to fly at the park.
Yes, sorry it is a National Park on the Canada side I think and state on the New York side but still can not fly in State Parks in NY.
Technically I think it's legal to fly over a state park as long as you don't take off or fly from inside the park, but it would really be asking for trouble especially at that location.
I have to agree.. That is a super packed location even on the off season...
You wouldn't be that high with a Maic.
As is often the case a discrete flight especially very early in the day is not going to be impossible, whether it's wise or 100% legal is another mater.
If you daren't even use any recording it doesn't make much sense taking risks.
There's no shortage of drone video of the place on youtube, it isn't all 'historic' either.
Lapeer20m
Well-Known Member
I've been to Niagara Falls a dozen times and it's only been really busy once.
If flying from The USA side, it seems difficult to safely operate mavic from outside the park. Although I'm not familiar with the closest spot overlooking the falls that is not federal property.
As a side note, not talking drones, my favorite Niagara Falls thing to do is wait until after 10 pm, preferably on a warm summer night, and drive/walk to Luna island. It's in the park on the american side. This is a small island right in the middle of the river on the edge of the falls. The water is flowing past just feet away. And I've found that im typically the only one there this time of night. And it's free parking.
If flying from The USA side, it seems difficult to safely operate mavic from outside the park. Although I'm not familiar with the closest spot overlooking the falls that is not federal property.
As a side note, not talking drones, my favorite Niagara Falls thing to do is wait until after 10 pm, preferably on a warm summer night, and drive/walk to Luna island. It's in the park on the american side. This is a small island right in the middle of the river on the edge of the falls. The water is flowing past just feet away. And I've found that im typically the only one there this time of night. And it's free parking.
Lapeer20m
Well-Known Member
Is it a state or federal park? Hmmm
If a state park I do not know New York drone rules.
If it was legal, I would imagine a safe flight could be conducted early morning when few people are around.
The air currents and water make it a little risky, but if you loose the bird you could always buy mavic II when it is released.
If a state park I do not know New York drone rules.
If it was legal, I would imagine a safe flight could be conducted early morning when few people are around.
The air currents and water make it a little risky, but if you loose the bird you could always buy mavic II when it is released.
Lapeer20m
Well-Known Member
At first glance it appears to be a state park and drones are not prohibited, although this link indicates that the airspace over the falls is a federal park and flying is prohibited.
Filming Permit Information | Niagara Falls State Park
Also, you wouldn't need a permit if it's not commercial.
Filming Permit Information | Niagara Falls State Park
Also, you wouldn't need a permit if it's not commercial.
Lapeer20m
Well-Known Member
https://parks.ny.gov/inside-our-age...aftSystemsDronesModelAirplanesQuadCopters.pdf
Nope. Cannot operate land or takeoff in new York state parks without a permit.
You can fly drones in every single state and local park in Michigan however.
Nope. Cannot operate land or takeoff in new York state parks without a permit.
You can fly drones in every single state and local park in Michigan however.
Excellent! I just need to strap my 820-mile capacity battery on my drone and I'm ready for the round trip!
.Here's the deal and it's not great. FAA reg for Niagara Falls is here.
Attached is a map of the area covered - everything both inside the red triangle and between it and the border are federal airspace and effectively a NFZ below 3500 ft (exceptions listed at the link and drones are not in it). That covers pretty much anywhere I'd want to fly near the falls.
Attached is a map of the area covered - everything both inside the red triangle and between it and the border are federal airspace and effectively a NFZ below 3500 ft (exceptions listed at the link and drones are not in it). That covers pretty much anywhere I'd want to fly near the falls.
Similar threads
