bsshog40
Well-Known Member
I would think that where they have such tough restrictions that there would be some designated rc parks also.
Orange County CA- Mavic Grounded
- Thread starter SoCal_Mavic
- Start date
I have been flying Orange County many times, haven't had issues, but I never operate drone in a place where people can spot easily. I try to avoid attention as much as possible.
I dont think there's anywhere that's 100% safe or legal to fly a drone. I always plan out what I want to shoot and film, then use the app "flight aware" to minimize the risk of hitting anything. And then find a secret spot on google map to take off. I haven't been caught flying anywhere in the city or national parks. But knowing the risk of getting caught is making every flight experience scary.
Vimlossus
Active Member
Orlando, FL here, and we all know the ridiculous law they just passed. You can technically fly anywhere, as long as you are not taking off, landing, or controlling the aircraft within 500 feet of any city controlled structure or venue, school, jails, and the most ridiculous thing...parks. They cite safety reasons and concerns, but if you pay them $150 a year, or $20 per flight, you can fly in these areas.
So apparently, $150 a year causes all safety concerns to go away
So apparently, $150 a year causes all safety concerns to go away
With a stroke of a pen a municipality can ban anything remote control. They aren't willing to tolerate the liability of anything that can hurt someone. Living in SoCal, I assume most parks are banned but who wants to fly a drone capable of 2+ mile range there anyways. It's all about the launch point.
SRJ_Mavic_PRO
Well-Known Member
I think as long as you are not taking off or landing on park property you can fly over the parks. The FAA is the only governing body that controls airspace...
In general, there are no hard restrictions on flying in the airspace above a U.S. national park, for non-commercial use. As others have correctly pointed out, the park can prohibit takeoff and landings but don't have the authority to regulate overflights. However, there are specific exceptions for certain national parks (for example: Grand Canyon National Park), so it is important to check the airspace on the park you're thinking of flying in. These airspace restrictions are set and enforced by the FAA and not by the Park Service, so you can determine whether the airspace is restricted or not by referring to a pilot's Sectional Chart. I happen to use the Foreflight app on my iPad, but there are many other cheaper sources- SkyVector: Flight Planning / Aeronautical Charts is a great alternative as long you have a live data connection.
The 2000 foot "minimum" comes from the Airman's Information Manual (AIM):
AIM 7-4-6, “Flights Over Charted U.S. Wildlife Refuges, Parks, and Forest Service Areas” reads, in part:
Pilots are requested to maintain a minimum altitude of 2,000 feet above the surface of the following: National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, Lakeshores, Recreation Areas and Scenic Riverways administered by the National Park Service, National Wildlife Refuges, Big Game Refuges, Game Ranges and Wildlife Ranges administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wilderness and Primitive areas administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
Note that the term used in the above paragraph is "requested" and not "required".
This same issue has created many long discussions between pilots in the past. The upshot is, if you fly below 2000 AGL in these areas you're legal with the FAA (assuming no other special flight restrictions, like for Grand Canyon). Be aware, however - it's still possible to get violations from other federal agencies for disturbing or harassing wildlife, depending on what you're doing.
The 2000 foot "minimum" comes from the Airman's Information Manual (AIM):
AIM 7-4-6, “Flights Over Charted U.S. Wildlife Refuges, Parks, and Forest Service Areas” reads, in part:
Pilots are requested to maintain a minimum altitude of 2,000 feet above the surface of the following: National Parks, Monuments, Seashores, Lakeshores, Recreation Areas and Scenic Riverways administered by the National Park Service, National Wildlife Refuges, Big Game Refuges, Game Ranges and Wildlife Ranges administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and Wilderness and Primitive areas administered by the U.S. Forest Service.
Note that the term used in the above paragraph is "requested" and not "required".
This same issue has created many long discussions between pilots in the past. The upshot is, if you fly below 2000 AGL in these areas you're legal with the FAA (assuming no other special flight restrictions, like for Grand Canyon). Be aware, however - it's still possible to get violations from other federal agencies for disturbing or harassing wildlife, depending on what you're doing.
Last edited:
ElGuapo
Well-Known Member
The reason for banning drones over national parks isn't so much as per the FAA but park rules.
They don't want you scaring wildlife with your drone.
So the answer to any of you thinking you can fly over the park as long as you takeoff and land outside of it, is still NO!
They don't want you scaring wildlife with your drone.
So the answer to any of you thinking you can fly over the park as long as you takeoff and land outside of it, is still NO!
ElGuapo
Well-Known Member
The issue here is related to ignorant drone flyers that make the news, AKA Dridiot (Drone-flying idiot).
Like in this video, the uploader of the video isn't the owner of the Phantom, he's just sharing the video for the real owner (and as*h**e) who crashed the drone in the highway
SRJ_Mavic_PRO
Well-Known Member
ElGuapo
Well-Known Member
armoredsaint
Well-Known Member
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