So like everyone else, I too am a new pilot in the Phoenix AZ area.
Finding it VERY difficult to fly legally and being a good hobby drone pilot. I even registered with the FAA even though I know it isn't required because I felt that it was a good idea, because I wanted to be in compliance with them, even though the courts might not agree.
Multiple sites trying to find out where in the area is legal to fly ... so understand can't fly in a National Park, state lands can't get straight answer, federal lands (BLM?) that are NOT wilderness areas are ok ... some cities have information on their website about Drone friendly parks ... others do not (including the one I live in) ...
Called my city park's department, and they were very nice on the phone ... they explained that there are no parks right now that are technically ok, but due to recent changes in state law, they are coming online with two parks in the near future. They also told me that I was the first phone call they have ever received asking this question.
An adjacent city has an approved park, but within 5 miles of an airport ... spent 30 minutes trying to find the tower's phone number to notify them ... gave up ... when I got home finally found the number after an hour of Google searching ... spoke to the tower direct about 11 pm in the evening while they were quiet ... they were very polite and helpful, told me what number to call in the future, and info I need ... and told me again that I was the first call they have received in months.
Was going to try and fly in another local city today ( that does post approved drone parks ) ... another control tower, can't find number ... found airport operations who would not give me the number ... took my number, called me back ... said they talk to the tower and since there was not a supervisor on duty they could not authorize me ... to call back between 8 and 3 Monday to Friday business hours. Really??? The operations guy was sympathetic, told me he told the tower that here was someone trying to do the right thing, and they had no procedures in place to authorize. And the city which has multiple "approved drone parks" within the 5 mile radius of a busy airport ( Scottsdale ... supposed to be one of the busiest single runway airports in the US).
Bottom line, I'm spending more time researching on legal places to fly, trying to notify towers etc, then I'm actual flying ...
I looked at some of the "map" apps and website, and they show me the same info I already know .. I'm within 5 miles of a tower, but the rest of the state / federal land, I'm taking a guess.
I spoke to several other drone pilots I have run into, and they basically thought I was crazy to doing all of this research ... they fly where ever they want ...
So what is a newbie to do?
Finding it VERY difficult to fly legally and being a good hobby drone pilot. I even registered with the FAA even though I know it isn't required because I felt that it was a good idea, because I wanted to be in compliance with them, even though the courts might not agree.
Multiple sites trying to find out where in the area is legal to fly ... so understand can't fly in a National Park, state lands can't get straight answer, federal lands (BLM?) that are NOT wilderness areas are ok ... some cities have information on their website about Drone friendly parks ... others do not (including the one I live in) ...
Called my city park's department, and they were very nice on the phone ... they explained that there are no parks right now that are technically ok, but due to recent changes in state law, they are coming online with two parks in the near future. They also told me that I was the first phone call they have ever received asking this question.
An adjacent city has an approved park, but within 5 miles of an airport ... spent 30 minutes trying to find the tower's phone number to notify them ... gave up ... when I got home finally found the number after an hour of Google searching ... spoke to the tower direct about 11 pm in the evening while they were quiet ... they were very polite and helpful, told me what number to call in the future, and info I need ... and told me again that I was the first call they have received in months.
Was going to try and fly in another local city today ( that does post approved drone parks ) ... another control tower, can't find number ... found airport operations who would not give me the number ... took my number, called me back ... said they talk to the tower and since there was not a supervisor on duty they could not authorize me ... to call back between 8 and 3 Monday to Friday business hours. Really??? The operations guy was sympathetic, told me he told the tower that here was someone trying to do the right thing, and they had no procedures in place to authorize. And the city which has multiple "approved drone parks" within the 5 mile radius of a busy airport ( Scottsdale ... supposed to be one of the busiest single runway airports in the US).
Bottom line, I'm spending more time researching on legal places to fly, trying to notify towers etc, then I'm actual flying ...
I looked at some of the "map" apps and website, and they show me the same info I already know .. I'm within 5 miles of a tower, but the rest of the state / federal land, I'm taking a guess.
I spoke to several other drone pilots I have run into, and they basically thought I was crazy to doing all of this research ... they fly where ever they want ...
So what is a newbie to do?
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