My first run in with the law over my drone :(

[Giovanni]

And the "0" doesn't mean "No Fly." It means "No automatic LAANC authorization is possible."

I live in a Class B with a 300' LAANC ceiling. I fly *a lot* here. I just submit my LAANC request with a max altitude of 300', and Bob's my uncle.

(Yes, I know *you* know this, BigAl07 - just clarifying for the newbies. )

The stadiums ( and not because they are stadiums) in Philadelphia are in a zero, meaning zilch, nada, nothing. The stadiums are 2.71 miles from closest runway and they are parallel to the main runway of Philadelphia International (rather large) Airport. I imagine that's why they frown. Again , nothing to do with the stadiums...

 

[iaincaradoc]

Do you all think the FAA will come after me because of this? And if so what could happen?

I'd put a dollar on any contact (if it happens) with "Don't do that again. You've been warned."

But there's *always* the possibility.

 

[iaincaradoc]

The stadiums ( and not because they are stadiums) in Philadelphia are in a zero, meaning zilch, nada, nothing. The stadiums are 2.71 miles from closest runway and they are parallel to the main runway of Philadelphia International (rather large) Airport. I imagine that's why they frown. Again , nothing to do with the stadiums...

Yes, I'm aware of that.

I'm also aware that the "0" in B4UFly and AirMap doesn't mean you *can't* fly there. It means you cannot apply for automated LAANC approval. You need to file with DroneZone to get authorization - which may or may not be granted, depending.

 

[RoarRoar]

Do you all think the FAA will come after me because of this? And if so what could happen?

I highly doubt it.

 

[Giovanni]

I live in this area so let me shed some light into the issue there. The Philadelphia Sports Complex in general sits less than 5 miles from Philadelphia international airport. Some of the area you can get LAANC approval from the FAA some areas you can’t.

On a normal game day (not sure the times before and after) you absolutely can not fly there due to FAA rules and sporting events. The Phillies and Eagles both are conducting practices and meetings this week. I’m sure that was why there was an angry security guard.

I would pick a day in the winter when all the teams are off. It will be quiet and you shouldn’t have any distractions.

I would stay away from this area as a newer operator.

I would go check out the area behind the Art Museum it’s a drone friendly spot, also drive down to Chester PA where the Union soccer team play. They play right on the Delaware River and I’ve flown there numerous times around their stadium Subaru Park.

I work by the stadium. Right now, you cannot fly there 24/7. Game no game, sunny, raining pigs in a blanket.... Broad and Pattison where the stadiums are zero feet. Always. You could fly up to February 2020, then it was changed. Probably bc I got 50 LAANC approvals before then LOL...

 

[Giovanni]

I highly doubt it.

Agree...

 

[PrettyGirlFlys]

I work by the stadium. Right now, you cannot fly there 24/7. Game no game, sunny, raining pigs in a blanket.... Broad and Pattison where the stadiums are zero feet. Always. You could fly up to February 2020, then it was changed. Probably bc I got 50 LAANC approvals before then LOL...

Oh so this is something new?! Makes sense now!

 

[VenomXts]

Do you all think the FAA will come after me because of this? And if so what could happen?

based on your description of the events the FAA isnt going to get involved in this matter. If you would of hurt someone or property maybe but this is just a dont do it again situation IMO.

 

[Giovanni]

Oh so this is something new?! Makes sense now!

About 5 months...I was droning the new casino which is going up a block from Citizen Park (right by Lincoln Financial Field). I intended to do a timelapse over a year, and one morning I tried to get the LAANC as usual, and about a one mile area became zero feet. Sucks...Glad I got a ton of footage of the stadiums from before...

 

[Giovanni]

see attached

 

[BigAl07]

Do you all think the FAA will come after me because of this? And if so what could happen?

It's doubtful but you do have to know they "might". Odds are, if they do, it will be to educate and inform you. No "incident" happened and you honestly didn't know all the intricacies involved in the area you're flying. The FAA is concerned with Safety first and foremost and in this case simple education is most likely going to be the only ramification. Now if you do the same "stunt" again and get caught you may have a different outcome.

Honestly I doubt you'll hear anything but if you it won''t be much at all. If you were in my district and I got this call it would be a simple conversation where I would point you to the correct information and made sure you fully understood what you did wrong and HOW you go about doing it legally in the future.

 

[BigAl07]

I work by the stadium. Right now, you cannot fly there 24/7. Game no game, sunny, raining pigs in a blanket.... Broad and Pattison where the stadiums are zero feet. Always. You could fly up to February 2020, then it was changed. Probably bc I got 50 LAANC approvals before then LOL...

Ummm many of us have legally gotten manual authorization to fly in "0" zones you just can't use the automated system as it will reject automatically. Approval is not guaranteed but it CAN be done if you have your ducks in a row and have the right answers. I'm pretty sure a Hobbyist can't get "0"AGL approval but Part 107 operators get it fairly often under the right circumstances.

I have flown less than 100' from an active runway and I was flying from airport property. It took a lot of coordination and effort but it did happen.

 

[Skybuyer]

I need to do research to see what all of these terminologies mean. I’m just looking for “fly” and “don’t fly” lol

I'm speaking as a new pilot, so anyone who knows better/more, feel free to correct me of add to what I'm about to say...

We have to face reality that there will be people who get defensive for lots of reasons when it comes to drones. There are folks that will try to tell you what is legal and permissible, even if they don't know what they're talking about or have it totally wrong. But it is our responsiblity as pilots to KNOW what is permissible to fly over and what is not. If we want to keep out of trouble we just have to know. And we should because it only takes a few to spoil it for everyone. I feel it is essential to do research to see what the state and locals laws are in addition to knowing the Federal and FAA restrictions. And then there are city ordinances that we need to be aware of, particularly privacy laws.

Even as a new pilot, I think it is important to have Airmap, B4UFLY and possible Kittyhawk apps on my phone to check the areas that I want to fly in. Airmap is my first go-to app for checking the areas I want to fly in after I've checked the laws. In this specific instance, for fun I dialed in Lincon Financial Field into Kittyhawk, did the same with Airmap and this is what I found: LFF is in CLASS B AIR SPACE and would require authorization. (see screen shots from apps). Also in general, flying over stadiums or such venues is restricted within one hour before and/or after an event.

 

[Edh]

?

 

[iaincaradoc]

Even as a new pilot, I think it is important to have Airmap, B4UFLY and possible Kittyhawk. Airmap is my first go-to app for checking the areas I want to fly in after I've checked the laws. In this specific instance, for fun I dialed in Lincon Financial Field into Kittyhawk, did the same with Airmap and this is what I found: LFF is in CLASS B AIR SPACE and would require authorization. (see screen shots from apps). Also in general, flying over stadiums or such venues is restricted within one hour before and/or after an event

I'd only add that one should also check local laws/ordinances. Paradise Valley, not far from me, has had a series of "bad rule" problems, like trying to entirely ban flying over private property - which is nonsense, but the boots-on-the-ground don't know that.

Any number of jurisdictions *do* have specific ordinances regarding places you can take-off/land, though - and those are kind of important.

 

[sar104]

Do you all think the FAA will come after me because of this? And if so what could happen?

From your account of the event, I don't see any mechanism for the FAA even to find out about it. The stadium security people are not going to report it to the FAA and I think it's most unlikely that the local police will do so.

 

[Mavic Mac]

Well, this was a spot I wondering if I could fly at. Now I know. However it is kinda odd because in one of the FB groups I'm in a guy in there flew his drone in the same area and all was ok for him. Maybe he just got lucky?

All you have to do is watch some YT videos or read some of the posts and you will quickly discover that some people have complete disregard for the rules and regulations.

 

[Skybuyer]

I'd only add that one should also check local laws/ordinances. Paradise Valley, not far from me, has had a series of "bad rule" problems, like trying to entirely ban flying over private property - which is nonsense, but the boots-on-the-ground don't know that.

Any number of jurisdictions *do* have specific ordinances regarding places you can take-off/land, though - and those are kind of important.

I initially was going to go into that, but when put LFWF into Kittyhawk and saw it was Class B space I thought better of going into the other stuff. I know I can get a bit wordy and already exceeded recommended bandwidths (g).

But I did do the research on Penn and Philly and found them to be very similar to Illinois in the laws and structure. Only the state of Pennsylvania, similar to Illinois (2018), can regulate UAV's and specifically restricts municipalities from doing so. I also searched for privacy laws and drones and didn't find anything notable.

 

[22kane]

I didn’t use anything except for the DJI app. I’m a new flyer so I don’t know about the many apps. I was flying OVER the stadium I was flying outside of it but the supervisor said there’s a no fly zone over the stadiums and parking lots which is technically what I was flying over. No one was at the stadium except for security staff from what I know.

The supervisor is partially right, no fly zones do exist over and around any sport venue, for airplanes, blimps and helicopters. I live near a AFB, and restrict my flying at home to no more then 20m. Anything else, I go out somewhere open and clear so I can practice flying by looking at the screen instead of the drone.

 

[dawgpilot]

You'd be wrong. It's an "authorization," not a "waiver."

Here's a pretty good write-up:

How To Request FAA Airspace Authorization | Drone Pilot Ground School

Learn how FAA airspace authorizations are different than waivers, how long airspace authorization takes, and how to ask properly for airspace authorization.

www.dronepilotgroundschool.com

Only Part 107 pilots can request "Further Coordination" to fly higher than the published facility map altitude. Since the published altitude for that square near the stadium is 0, there's no path for recreational pilots to fly there at all.