I'm considering getting a sub-250g drone for recreational use in Maryland and have read up on the Federal, State, and local rules. How does one know what take-off and landing locations are legal. Seems taking off or landing from private property other than your own property or where a property owner gives permission is not allowed. So what locations are legal? I live just inside the outer 30-mile DC SFRA perimeter near Ellicott City. Any legal take-off and landing locations near me? Initially, I'm just looking for an open area to practice. Thanks for the help!
Legal Take Off and Landing Locations in MD?
- Thread starter Sling24
- Start date
Good job on doing research on purchasing a drone.
Make sure you also take and complete the required FAA TRUST training. This will answer a lot of your questions, but probably not all.
www.faa.gov
Ensure you save the completion certificate as the various provider's systems do not save and store your proof of completion.
Make sure you also take and complete the required FAA TRUST training. This will answer a lot of your questions, but probably not all.
The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) | Federal Aviation Administration
What is TRUST? The law requires that all recreational flyers pass an aeronautical knowledge and safety test and provide proof of passage if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel. The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) was developed to meet this requirement.
www.faa.gov
Ensure you save the completion certificate as the various provider's systems do not save and store your proof of completion.
Without getting into your state's laws on private property, I would suggest you focus on public property and keep in mind the restrictions that might be applied based on time, place, and manner. Taking off and landing a drone is not a crime anywhere that I am aware of but the rules of trespassing or disorderly conduct may apply. Even if you drive into a Walmart parking lot and you open your car door and you put the drone down next to your car and you take off, the worse that could happen is the private property owner can ask you to leave or ask the police to ask you to leave. Also keep in mind there is always the possibility of civil claims/actions. What has worked for me is to find public property, the land that you paid for, the land that you own, and as long as there is no law or ordinance or sign that says you can't...then you can. The public sidewalk is probably the most free place you can find in the country and as long as you don't block the sidewalk, most likely you will be fine.
You can get banned from that Walmart lol..... Seriously a few of our younger FPV members are not allowed at the store.
If a property owner gives you permission and the airspace above them is legal for it you can fly your Drone no problem. ALWAYS know where you fly! Always.
Yes you can be asked to leave and in some places, trespass warning means never come back forever. My point is it's not a crime and you cannot be arrested for it. If the property owner asks you to leave, it's probably best that you leave right away before the police come and ask you to leave.You can get banned from that Walmart lol..... Seriously a few of our younger FPV members are not allowed at the store.
If a property owner gives you permission and the airspace above them is legal for it you can fly your Drone no problem. ALWAYS know where you fly! Always.
Think about it this way, do whatever is normal and common. A place like a Bucees parking lot has thousands of visitors a day and very few of them go inside and ask if they can rearrange their cargo or take a 30 minute nap or make a phone call to a friend for one hour or have a lunch break with the food they travel with or watch the fireworks or unpacking their e-Bike and do laps around the parking lot or take off with a drone or pull out a map to get oriented and plan. Flying a drone is not an offense and shouldn't get you banned. As long as you don't misuse the property....i.e don't dump your trash or building a fire or ride a horse or setup your drum set or change your oil or the category of stuff we don't want to be associated with like skateboarding. I have spent many a night in Walmart parking lot without asking, it's common.
I have never known of someone arrested for simply flying a Drone yep the worse is gonna happen is you get trespassed and then if you don't leave they got you. If the parking lot isnt full of people I don't see the harm at all. Walmart hates anything that doesnt make them money lol and here in Bakersfield the parking lot cameras are everywhere and are monitored. I will Have to say one of those younger guys did get thrown out for flying inside the store tho.
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Be sure to use the Air Control app on your phone/tablet to check airspace and applying for LAANC approval when needed.
You can use the search function in the app to research airspace before going to fly there.
In the 15 to 30 mile ring of the DC SFRA all drones including the sub 250g class must be registered with the FAA. https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/community_engagement/no_drone_zone/dc
You can use the search function in the app to research airspace before going to fly there.
In the 15 to 30 mile ring of the DC SFRA all drones including the sub 250g class must be registered with the FAA. https://www.faa.gov/uas/resources/community_engagement/no_drone_zone/dc
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