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

[FoxFlight Drone Video]

You were outside the auth area for KPHL (but inside the warning area... which is fine), you were outside but really close to the altitude zone of 60m. You weren't in the restricted area for the navy shipyard. There are warning areas for the stadiums, but that is to remind you that if there is an event going on with people in it, you can't/shouldn't go there.

You were fine.

 

[kitsap2]

Stick to Class G, uncontrolled airspace.

 

[FlyingHerb]

So I got in a little trouble flying my drone today I was interested in taking some shots of the sports stadiums in Philly and I did until a man from the stadium came out telling me to “bring it down.” I obliged and he asked for my ID and took a picture of my license plate (I think he thought I was going to get in the car and drive off). I gave him my ID and asked him was I not allowed to fly here. He said that it was a no fly zone and I told him that on my app it tells me if I can’t fly and I didn’t know. I shut my drone down and apologized for flying. After a while I think he realized that i was literally just a person with a drone and not a spy for an opposing team and he started to lighten up. He told me the police were coming and a report would be made. After waiting 40 minutes, the police finally came. I simply told them I was flying my drone and didn’t know I couldn’t fly it and the cop said that it was just a warning and made a report. The supervisor from the stadium told me that he has to report it to his “higher ups” but he is unsure what happens after that.

Does anybody know anything about what may happen? Also, the DJI app didn’t give me any indication that it was a no fly zone so what can I do differently next time? Also, is there anything I can do if a situation like this occurs again?

My suggestion is next time fly higher and they won't know you are there.

 

[PicWiz]

Unless the stadium man was an LEO I can’t understand why you didn‘t just land your drone and go. Why did you give him your ID? Why did you explain what you were doing? Why did you wait 40 minutes for the police? Surely this guy had no authority over you? In the UK sports stadia are usually no-fly zones at the behest of the sports broadcasters who don’t want people to see sport for free. But it’s not the job of the stadia staff to enforce the NFZ

I'm very new to this forum, but I sure don't see why everyone doesn't just get the Foreflight app on their phone? Sorry, I'm editing my post to correct that there is no free version of Foreflight. I have the ProPlus plan and was thinking that the basic plan was free, but it's $99/yr. But if you fly in many different areas around the country it's probably worth the investment anyway.

 

[Deleted member 114292]

View attachment 108837

You were outside the auth area for KPHL (but inside the warning area... which is fine), you were outside but really close to the altitude zone of 60m. You weren't in the restricted area for the navy shipyard. There are warning areas for the stadiums, but that is to remind you that if there is an event going on with people in it, you can't/shouldn't go there.

You were fine.

That’s incorrect stop looking at the DJI map.
It’s wrong the stadium is controlled airspace and requires an authorization.

Repeat do not go by the DJI map Their zones are wrong.

 

[kitsap2]

My suggestion is next time fly higher and they won't know you are there.

Not a good suggestion. Citizens Bank Park is entirely in Class B airspace.

 

[FlyingHerb]

Not a good suggestion. Citizens Bank Park is entirely in Class B airspace.

oops

 

[Inthenash]

My thought is that a person "with power" was trying to intimidate someone "without power". He did not understand the actual rules and was told that we don't like drones so run people off. He was probably just doing his job. I think you handled the situation perfectly.

 

[dougiefresh27]

So I got in a little trouble flying my drone today I was interested in taking some shots of the sports stadiums in Philly and I did until a man from the stadium came out telling me to “bring it down.” I obliged and he asked for my ID and took a picture of my license plate (I think he thought I was going to get in the car and drive off). I gave him my ID and asked him was I not allowed to fly here. He said that it was a no fly zone and I told him that on my app it tells me if I can’t fly and I didn’t know. I shut my drone down and apologized for flying. After a while I think he realized that i was literally just a person with a drone and not a spy for an opposing team and he started to lighten up. He told me the police were coming and a report would be made. After waiting 40 minutes, the police finally came. I simply told them I was flying my drone and didn’t know I couldn’t fly it and the cop said that it was just a warning and made a report. The supervisor from the stadium told me that he has to report it to his “higher ups” but he is unsure what happens after that.

Does anybody know anything about what may happen? Also, the DJI app didn’t give me any indication that it was a no fly zone so what can I do differently next time? Also, is there anything I can do if a situation like this occurs again?

You gave your ID to a total stranger?
To the police yes if you are breaking the law but otherwise no.
Check multiple apps always first. Glad you handled it well.

 

[flysi3000]

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

Definitely download B4UFly and/or Kittyhawk, and check them out before you launch.

 

[journo]

View attachment 108536


You good.

As a licensed remote pilot, I'm reading this as restricted airspace (Class B airspace - remember B for "big city" airport) from surface up -- and no, you absolutely cannot fly here without authorization and drones cannot have instant authorization because of the "0." Attached is a look at the stadium (it's the dot) on FAA's 'visualize it' site. (ArcGIS Web Application)

Can you fly over or by some stadiums? In Seattle, where I fly, it's a different stadium situation. The stadiums are in Class D airspace (think D for "dime-sized or diminutive" airport, in my case: Boeing Field) and instant FAA approval to a certain ceiling obtained through an app that uses the LAANC system (UAS Data Exchange (LAANC)) can be obtained as long as there is not an event going on at either stadium. I got approval only for a flight from the surface to 100 feet. The stadiums themselves are taller than that. I was able to see inside, from the sides. When I flew to record both stadiums during the pandemic several months ago, I was approached by security both flights and was told I couldn't fly anywhere near the stadiums. This is incorrect if I launch from a public area. I showed them the text from the FAA showing approval on my phone, as well as my FAA license. What I learned from the experience is that the stadiums have a software-based drone alert system that triggers an alarm to security when a drone is in the area, so security immediately knows a drone is close by. Attached shows clearly "0" feet for drone flights in the box you flew in at Lincoln Financial Field. Be safe. Fyi

 

[journo]

You gave your ID to a total stranger?
To the police yes if you are breaking the law but otherwise no.
Check multiple apps always first. Glad you handled it well.

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.

As a licensed remote pilot, I'm reading this as restricted airspace (Class B airspace - remember B for "big city" airport) from surface up -- and no, you absolutely cannot fly here without authorization and drones cannot have instant authorization because of the "0." Attached is a look at the stadium (it's the dot) on FAA's 'visualize it' site. (ArcGIS Web Application)

Can you fly over or by some stadiums? In Seattle, where I fly, it's a different stadium situation. The stadiums are in Class D airspace (think D for "dime-sized or diminutive" airport, in my case: Boeing Field) and instant FAA approval to a certain ceiling obtained through an app that uses the LAANC system (UAS Data Exchange (LAANC)) can be obtained as long as there is not an event going on at either stadium. I got approval only for a flight from the surface to 100 feet. The stadiums themselves are taller than that. I was able to see inside, from the sides. When I flew to record both stadiums during the pandemic several months ago, I was approached by security both flights and was told I couldn't fly anywhere near the stadiums. This is incorrect if I launch from a public area. I showed them the text from the FAA showing approval on my phone, as well as my FAA license. What I learned from the experience is that the stadiums have a software-based drone alert system that triggers an alarm to security when a drone is in the area, so security immediately knows a drone is close by. Attached shows clearly "0" feet for drone flights in the box you flew in at Lincoln Financial Field. Be safe. Fyi

 

[RangerOne]

Look in to Sky Vector. It is the best air zone site I've seen yet for air space needs for droning. Next you should think of watching some of the free remotepilote101 videos on you tube. I took his course afterwards.....

 

[mrinab]

Looking at Iannes's picture.......if the yellow square was where you were flying then that was 100% illegal ! Class B airspace with possible authorization at max 0 feet ! Even around this area flying would require FAA approval or LAANC if available.....
Not sure why your drone would actually take off ! Class B airspace is the most dangerous one and you should never fly without FAA approval - and in this case should never fly !
Very surprised DJI did not have this locked - correct me if I am wrong.

 

[Goldengate98]

So I got in a little trouble flying my drone today I was interested in taking some shots of the sports stadiums in Philly and I did until a man from the stadium came out telling me to “bring it down.” I obliged and he asked for my ID and took a picture of my license plate (I think he thought I was going to get in the car and drive off). I gave him my ID and asked him was I not allowed to fly here. He said that it was a no fly zone and I told him that on my app it tells me if I can’t fly and I didn’t know. I shut my drone down and apologized for flying. After a while I think he realized that i was literally just a person with a drone and not a spy for an opposing team and he started to lighten up. He told me the police were coming and a report would be made. After waiting 40 minutes, the police finally came. I simply told them I was flying my drone and didn’t know I couldn’t fly it and the cop said that it was just a warning and made a report. The supervisor from the stadium told me that he has to report it to his “higher ups” but he is unsure what happens after that.

Does anybody know anything about what may happen? Also, the DJI app didn’t give me any indication that it was a no fly zone so what can I do differently next time? Also, is there anything I can do if a situation like this occurs again?

If the police gave you a warning hopefully thats the end of it. I use B4UFLY. it shows restricted zones and gives me warning pop-ups and a map with the zones.
I don't really trust DJI for this - I live near DC and have ZERO interest in ending up in a NFZ!

Have you registered your drone w/FAA! The guidelines cover most obvious situations where & where not you can fly.

 

[Drbobk]

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...

If you have your 107 you can apply for a Certificate of Authorization to fly there, maybe up to 100 feet. Not automatic, but if you describe the time lapse effort, very limited operating area, short flight times, etc., you might get it.

 

[Drbobk]

That’s incorrect stop looking at the DJI map.
It’s wrong the stadium is controlled airspace and requires an authorization.

Repeat do not go by the DJI map Their zones are wrong.

Why is it that I can't take off in my local area (Class D airspace) without a COA and an unlock license from DJI, but she can just take off in a 0' ceiling area of Class B airspace? Did DJI just miss this area as controlled airspace?

 

[ajkm]

You really need to have a basic understanding of aviation. Identifying controlled airspace, TFRs that temporarily restrict flying in an area, what local a/ds are around the flight area, how far you need to be away from them to fly legally, what NOTAMs relate to your planned flight area, and on the list goes. Unless you are flying at a recognised RC aircraft field, flight planning is every pilot’s responsibility. Do not rely on third party apps (which all contain waivers to their liability for inaccuracies), use the official FAA information.

 

[itsneedtokno]

As a licensed remote pilot, I'm reading this as restricted airspace (Class B airspace - remember B for "big city" airport) from surface up -- and no, you absolutely cannot fly here without authorization and drones cannot have instant authorization because of the "0." Attached is a look at the stadium (it's the dot) on FAA's 'visualize it' site. (ArcGIS Web Application)

Can you fly over or by some stadiums? In Seattle, where I fly, it's a different stadium situation. The stadiums are in Class D airspace (think D for "dime-sized or diminutive" airport, in my case: Boeing Field) and instant FAA approval to a certain ceiling obtained through an app that uses the LAANC system (UAS Data Exchange (LAANC)) can be obtained as long as there is not an event going on at either stadium. I got approval only for a flight from the surface to 100 feet. The stadiums themselves are taller than that. I was able to see inside, from the sides. When I flew to record both stadiums during the pandemic several months ago, I was approached by security both flights and was told I couldn't fly anywhere near the stadiums. This is incorrect if I launch from a public area. I showed them the text from the FAA showing approval on my phone, as well as my FAA license. What I learned from the experience is that the stadiums have a software-based drone alert system that triggers an alarm to security when a drone is in the area, so security immediately knows a drone is close by. Attached shows clearly "0" feet for drone flights in the box you flew in at Lincoln Financial Field. Be safe. Fyi

Did you not see a couple posts below the one you quoted... I went a little further in to detail.

Jumped the gun with that post, but then clarified.

 

[sar104]

Why is it that I can't take off in my local area (Class D airspace) without a COA and an unlock license from DJI, but she can just take off in a 0' ceiling area of Class B airspace? Did DJI just miss this area as controlled airspace?

That's not correct. Both surface Class B and Class D airspace are DJI warning zones. They require FAA authorization or waiver to fly legally, but do not require any unlocking with DJI to take off. If you cannot take off in your area then it is not because of the Class D airspace. It could be a DJI zero altitude zone, or something else.