I’m in California, but suspect this applies to any area with either of the two types of recreation areas in the subject (which I believe are mostly/all in the west). I’ve searched websites and scoured whatever regulations I could find online, and haven’t seen any prohibitions on flying in these areas. In my mind, it should be OK, as:
- neither is part of the National Park Service;
- are federal lands and hence probably not under county or other local jurisdiction; (or are they)
- and assuming all “drone code” and FAA regulations are followed
However, yesterday I drove to a Bureau of Reclamation site, and they had a large billboard with a long list of regulations. I felt a bit deflated when I saw this:
I assume this was written long ago and they probably had airplanes in mind. But it doesn’t say airplanes, it says aircraft, thus I would be in violation if I flew. So I interpret it as a big NO for drones. It seems unlikely that these areas will have aircraft areas designated by the District Commander, and if they do, they’re probably be for airplanes (e.g. float planes on reservoirs or rivers).
Before I go and get myself in trouble (and then probably disqualified in a Part107 application) do any of you have any experience flying in either of these types of areas and have confirmation of the applicable rules?
Candidly, I’m asking out of frustration, as I am seeing my field of potential interesting flying areas dwindling, and I find myself questioning the investment I’ve made already. I want to be very sure wherever I fly is won’t cause me financial, legal, or other grief, and (this goes without saying) that it’s safe.
- neither is part of the National Park Service;
- are federal lands and hence probably not under county or other local jurisdiction; (or are they)
- and assuming all “drone code” and FAA regulations are followed
However, yesterday I drove to a Bureau of Reclamation site, and they had a large billboard with a long list of regulations. I felt a bit deflated when I saw this:
I assume this was written long ago and they probably had airplanes in mind. But it doesn’t say airplanes, it says aircraft, thus I would be in violation if I flew. So I interpret it as a big NO for drones. It seems unlikely that these areas will have aircraft areas designated by the District Commander, and if they do, they’re probably be for airplanes (e.g. float planes on reservoirs or rivers).
Before I go and get myself in trouble (and then probably disqualified in a Part107 application) do any of you have any experience flying in either of these types of areas and have confirmation of the applicable rules?
Candidly, I’m asking out of frustration, as I am seeing my field of potential interesting flying areas dwindling, and I find myself questioning the investment I’ve made already. I want to be very sure wherever I fly is won’t cause me financial, legal, or other grief, and (this goes without saying) that it’s safe.