Have you (a Part 107 Pilot) ever been granted permission to fly in the Washington DC NFZ?

[LoudThunder]

I have my Part 107 License and I live on the Hampton Road Peninsula. I live within both the Zero Altitude Quadrant of Langley AFB's Class D Airspace, and within the Class D Airspace of the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport airspace, where Air Force One (the President's plane) does touch and goes, also overlaps my home too, and not far away is Fort Eustis' Felker Army Airfield.

I usually do not have any problem getting an Authorization from FAADroneZone to fly most everyplace…



My question is for the Part 107 Pilots who fly professionally in the Washington DC area… Is it even possible to get an authorization or waiver to fly your drone within the Washington DC NFZ even to do a roof inspection, construction inspection, real estate shoot, etc…

When I wrote to the FAA UAS Help Center asking this question, their response was I would need to make an application and then they would have to review it and only then could they make a determination. They were not going to even respond hypothetically...

As the old saying goes, "Inquiring Minds Want to Know…"

 

[WanderLost]

I have my Part 107 License and I live on the Hampton Road Peninsula. I live within both the Zero Altitude Quadrant of Langley AFB's Class D Airspace, and within the Class D Airspace of the Newport News/Williamsburg International Airport airspace, where Air Force One (the President's plane) does touch and goes, also overlaps my home too, and not far away is Fort Eustis' Felker Army Airfield.

I usually do not have any problem getting an Authorization from FAADroneZone to fly most everyplace…

View attachment 175794

My question is for the Part 107 Pilots who fly professionally in the Washington DC area… Is it even possible to get an authorization or waiver to fly your drone within the Washington DC NFZ even to do a roof inspection, construction inspection, real estate shoot, etc…

When I wrote to the FAA UAS Help Center asking this question, their response was I would need to make an application and then they would have to review it and only then could they make a determination. They were not going to even respond hypothetically...

As the old saying goes, "Inquiring Minds Want to Know…"

The FAA would likely need to know the limits of your flight, height, time and dates. They may actually look for an opening when there won't be any scheduled NFZ flights in your area.

I never flown near a zone so locked down, so I can't speak from experience for your area that looks really challenging. I have flown within sight of our local international airport for real estate photos. I apply through Navdrone and as long as I'm limiting my height below 130 feet or so, they were fine and gave me permission to fly right away. This was with my Matrice 30.

 

[LoudThunder]

The FAA would likely need to know the limits of your flight, height, time and dates.

Thank you for your reply, Yeah I know they want all the detail which is why they will not even give me hint if it is possible. I have never had any issues getting access to fly almost all of the areas where I live as indicated on the map.

I am also active on the Pilot Institute's Community 101 and a lot of new members log on every day and most are newbies taking the Part 107 Course and many those who live in or near the Washington DC NFZ complain that they cannot fly their drones unless they drive for miles…

I was curious if it is even possible to fly there even after they get their Part 107 Certifications.

 

[WanderLost]

Thank you for your reply, Yeah I know they want all the detail which is why they will not even give me hint if it is possible. I have never had any issues getting access to fly almost all of the areas where I live as indicated on the map.

I am also active on the Pilot Institute's Community 101 and a lot of new members log on every day and most are newbies taking the Part 107 Course and many those who live in or near the Washington DC NFZ complain that they cannot fly their drones unless that drive for miles…

I was curious if it is even possible to fly there even after they get their Part 107 Certifications.

I guess it's possible since you see footage from movies and documentaries. But I'd imagine it could be an expensive process getting permission, like in New York nowadays.

 

[Cafguy]

It is possible IF you are willing to follow the instructions from the FAA in order to fly there. This will include:
1. Having the equipment to stay in touch with the Washington Air traffic control at all times and follow their instructions.
2. File a detailed flight plan for every flight.
3. Install a working Transponder on your Drone. NOTE: RID is NOT a Transponder.
4. Provide the U.S. government with the information necessary for them to conduct a Background check on all persons that will be involved in your flight OR the production of your Video.
5. Go to the F.A.A.'s website and take a special course for pilots flying in that area. All pilots in the area MUST pass the course.
6. Receive your personal id number from the local airports
Because of the upcoming election I would think that no one would get such permission for the next few months or so...

 

[LoudThunder]

Here is some information for all to see to update this posting…

Vic Moss of DSP Alliance, DSP Alliance , says "In order to fly inside the 15 mile DC FRZ, you need a government sponsor. Outside the 15 mile ring, you just need to get gov’t approval."

More info here: https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/community_engagement/no_drone_zone/dc

This is one of his Photos…

A Vic Moss Photo…

 

[Parkerjh]

My question is for the Part 107 Pilots who fly professionally in the Washington DC area… Is it even possible to get an authorization or waiver to fly your drone within the Washington DC NFZ even to do a roof inspection, construction inspection, real estate shoot, etc…

Yes, you CAN certainly get an authorization but for your use cases, drones may not be the best solution. As others have said, there is a lot of paperwork and approvals to get.

I have been through this a half-dozen times (all approved) and it is a lengthy process that takes time that is often not afforded with things like roof inspections and real estate. On top of the lead time, when it comes time to actually fly the drone and do the job, you will be required to hire law enforcement to be with you (which department will be dictated by the approval). Then you need to coordinate with that police department to be with you but that isn't free: you pay them $400 or so for the privilege of them being with you (rate depending on department and their minimum required hours for a detail)

The operators that do a lot of work in DC usually charge a minimum of $3,000 for just a simple project. It is tough to make a decent profit when jobs take so long to get approved and then there are lots of expenses out of pocket. You've got to be billing the client a lot to make it worth your time.

 

[LoudThunder]

I have been through this a half-dozen times (all approved) and it is a lengthy process that takes time that is often not afforded with things like roof inspections and real estate.

Understood…

In my update to the original posting of this question (immediately above your posting…), Vic explained that he needed to be "sponsored" to get the authorization to fly for those photos.

I guess I am lucky, even though I live in an FAA Zero Altitude Quadrant, I can get an authorization to fly relatively quickly, sometimes the next day (in less than 24 hours…).

As you can see in my initial posting, the air around here is tightly controlled and this is why… A view from my back yard… And this is why...

BTW, the F-22s from Langley were the Chinese Balloon Busters...