Two weeks ago I was at Filoli Ranch about 25 miles south of San Francisco. When I checked the B4UFly and Airmap apps they indicated I was within 5 miles of the San Carlos airport. Here's the location using DJI's map (Filoli House is near bottom center):
I called the number for San Carlos airport (which connected me to airport operations, not the tower) and told the person that answered that I was a hobbyist drone pilot and I was going to fly at the Filoli Ranch location for about 25 minutes, that I wouldn't exceed 400 ft AGL, and that I'd be very cautious to watch out for other aircraft.
His response surprised me. He told me I couldn't fly until I went to a different airport in the area (I forget which airport he named) and complete some paperwork to register my drone. I explained I had already registered with the FAA under section 336 and offered to give him my FAA number. I further emphasized I was a hobbyist pilot and NOT a part 107 pilot. He pretty much ignored what I had just said and repeated that I had to go to this other airport and fill out paperwork there.
After notifying San Carlos my next step would have been to ask an employee at Filoli Ranch if they had any rules regulating drones (I saw no signs). However, I ultimately decided to not bother because of what the San Carlos operations guy told me. I didn't fly.
Does anyone know what the San Carlos guy is talking about? I didn't think any locality could impose such requirements for hobbyist pilots. Was this guy simply uninformed or possibly just trying to stop me from flying by obfuscation?
I have to admit I was inclined to just tell him my only requirement was to notify him of my location and intent to fly and that I didn't need his permission. But this was the very first time I was planning a flight within 5 miles of an airport so I didn't really feel like pressing the situation.
Thoughts?
Mark
I called the number for San Carlos airport (which connected me to airport operations, not the tower) and told the person that answered that I was a hobbyist drone pilot and I was going to fly at the Filoli Ranch location for about 25 minutes, that I wouldn't exceed 400 ft AGL, and that I'd be very cautious to watch out for other aircraft.
His response surprised me. He told me I couldn't fly until I went to a different airport in the area (I forget which airport he named) and complete some paperwork to register my drone. I explained I had already registered with the FAA under section 336 and offered to give him my FAA number. I further emphasized I was a hobbyist pilot and NOT a part 107 pilot. He pretty much ignored what I had just said and repeated that I had to go to this other airport and fill out paperwork there.
After notifying San Carlos my next step would have been to ask an employee at Filoli Ranch if they had any rules regulating drones (I saw no signs). However, I ultimately decided to not bother because of what the San Carlos operations guy told me. I didn't fly.
Does anyone know what the San Carlos guy is talking about? I didn't think any locality could impose such requirements for hobbyist pilots. Was this guy simply uninformed or possibly just trying to stop me from flying by obfuscation?
I have to admit I was inclined to just tell him my only requirement was to notify him of my location and intent to fly and that I didn't need his permission. But this was the very first time I was planning a flight within 5 miles of an airport so I didn't really feel like pressing the situation.
Thoughts?
Mark
