Hey Everyone;
I was wondering if anyone knew what you'd need to do to fly your drone in the USA on vacation. Does it need to be registered with the FAA?
Thanks
was asking the same question
here is the reply email I received from the FAA
Thank you for contacting the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Support Center.
Dear Sir:
If you want to operate your UAS exclusively in accordance with the Special Rule for Model Aircraft(336), you must complete the process provided in the web-based registration portal for section 336 now 349 aircraft. The agency will consider the certificate that is issued to be a recognition of ownership rather than a certificate of U.S. aircraft registration. These conditions are consistent with and impose no greater burden than the requirements imposed on U.S. citizens conducting model aircraft operations in the U.S.
FAADroneZone
There have been some processing issues with the drone zone. Please try again and if you have further issues contact the registration help desk at 844-359-6982 option 2.
If you are flying your drone for hobby/recreation, please follow the rules below.
Public Law 112-95, Section 336:
SEC. 336. SPECIAL RULE FOR MODEL AIRCRAFT.
(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law relating to the incorporation of unmanned aircraft systems into Federal Aviation Administration plans and policies, including this subtitle, the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration may not promulgate any rule or regulation regarding a model aircraft, or an aircraft being developed as a model aircraft, if
(a) The aircraft is flown strictly for hobby or recreational use
(b) The aircraft is operated in accordance with a community-based set of safety guidelines and within the programming of a nationwide community-based organization; 
(c) The aircraft is limited to not more than 55 pounds unless otherwise certified through a design, construction, inspection, flight test, and operational safety program administered by a community-based organization
(d) The aircraft is operated in a manner that does not interfere with and gives way to any manned aircraft; and (e) When flown within 5 miles of an airport, the operator of the aircraft provides the airport operator and the airport air traffic control tower (when an air traffic facility is located at the airport) with prior notice of the operation.
(b) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit the authority of the Administrator to pursue enforcement action against persons operating model aircraft who endanger the safety of the national airspace system.
(c) MODEL AIRCRAFT DEFINED.—In this section, the term ‘‘model aircraft’’ means an unmanned aircraft that is
(1) capable of sustained flight in the atmosphere; H. R. 658—68
(2) flown within visual line of sight of the person operating the aircraft; and
(3) flown for hobby or recreational purposes.
An airport is defined in the law as any area of land or water used or intended for landing or takeoff of aircraft including appurtenant area used or intended for airport buildings, facilities, as well as rights of way together with the buildings and facilities.
A good application to use to determine the airspace you are flying in is the B4UFLY app.
Websites that are useful to gain aerodrome information:
SkyVector: Flight Planning / Aeronautical Charts
AirNav: Airport Information
