Sanibel Island, FL

[Saylor101]

Planning a trip to Sanibel Island, FL soon. Wondering if anyone lives near there or has flown their drone there? I see the island is outside of Ft. Meyer's airspace (Lee County) and that there is a national wildlife "refuge" near some of the island...not a National Park. Would live to get some video footage with the Mav if possible. Any help or info would be appreciated, thank you.

 

[Doecliff]

I'm headed that way as well in 2 weeks. Wife's parents live nearby and that's one of the places we will be visiting. I will have my MP with me but I'm not hell bent on getting some video. If the opportunity presents itself I will but Her parents are pretty old so the reason for the trip isn't for me to get video with my MP. The first part of our trip will be to west Texas to visit my son and I'm sure I will be able to get some good desert footage there.

 

[Advexure]

Planning a trip to Sanibel Island, FL soon. Wondering if anyone lives near there or has flown their drone there? I see the island is outside of Ft. Meyer's airspace (Lee County) and that there is a national wildlife "refuge" near some of the island...not a National Park. Would live to get some video footage with the Mav if possible. Any help or info would be appreciated, thank you.

Reach out to @sancap, I believe he's from Sanibel. He's a very active member over on InspirePilots - SanCap

I see he's here on MP but not sure if he'll see that he's tagged in this.

Safe flying!

 

[sancap]

Planning a trip to Sanibel Island, FL soon. Wondering if anyone lives near there or has flown their drone there? I see the island is outside of Ft. Meyer's airspace (Lee County) and that there is a national wildlife "refuge" near some of the island...not a National Park. Would live to get some video footage with the Mav if possible. Any help or info would be appreciated, thank you.

I live on Sanibel Island, we are clear of the airspace from RSW and FMY. There are a couple of heliports near so see and avoid. Be aware of low flying sight seeing aircraft and banner towing aircraft. They are frequently below 500 feet. My biggest concern is the mosquito control helicopters, they will appear out of nowhere and routinely fly at 75 feet above ground level. They do not post NOTAMS and show up frequently.

I consider Ding Darling NWR a No Fly Zone, don't even think about flying your drone while inside the boundaries of the National Wildlife Refuge. You will be quickly escorted out, and most likely never see your Mavic again. There are a couple of areas you can fly from to get shots of the NWR without actually flying over it. Contact me privately if you want that info. All in all Sanibel is drone friendly, you can fly from any public land or private land you have permission from. Pilots are requested to stay 2000 feet above National Wildlife Refuges.

Besides the Gulf of Mexico Views there are a lot of cool walking and bicycle trails.

 

[1919 Convoy]

Hey I live on Sanibel and will help you out. I just got my Mavic so I do not know anything. But I do know the island. Call me 954 766 2919

 

[sancap]

Hey I live on Sanibel and will help you out. I just got my Mavic so I do not know anything. But I do know the island. Call me 954 766 2919

Did you join the Sanibel Island FB page today? I am an admin for that closed group and probably approved you.

 

[Vapor069]

I work on Sanibel, and fly out here all the time. You just have to watch for low flying helicopters, private planes, and sometimes commercial airliners.

 

[JayJ03]

Hi,
I would like to fly my drone on Sanibel next week. Any good spots you guys could recommend?

 

[sancap]

Hi,
I would like to fly my drone on Sanibel next week. Any good spots you guys could recommend?

There is no public parking on Sanibel at this time. Unless your are riding a bike or boating, you are out of luck.

 

[sancap]

Actually you could go to Bowmans beach, but it is a zoo there.

 

[JayJ03]

Well that's a bummer.

 

[ParadiseAirPilot]

Did you join the Sanibel Island FB page today? I am an admin for that closed group and probably approved you.

sancap

I live on Matlacha , just started a Facebook group called Sunsets of Matlacha and Pine Island. Join the group.

 

[Vapor069]

The Sanibel Causeway, Bowman’s Beach, and Captiva are open to the public. Sanibel public beaches are still closed until the 26th.

 

[Scot 8080]

I live on Sanibel Island, we are clear of the airspace from RSW and FMY. There are a couple of heliports near so see and avoid. Be aware of low flying sight seeing aircraft and banner towing aircraft. They are frequently below 500 feet. My biggest concern is the mosquito control helicopters, they will appear out of nowhere and routinely fly at 75 feet above ground level. They do not post NOTAMS and show up frequently.

I consider Ding Darling NWR a No Fly Zone, don't even think about flying your drone while inside the boundaries of the National Wildlife Refuge. You will be quickly escorted out, and most likely never see your Mavic again. There are a couple of areas you can fly from to get shots of the NWR without actually flying over it. Contact me privately if you want that info. All in all Sanibel is drone friendly, you can fly from any public land or private land you have permission from. Pilots are requested to stay 2000 feet above National Wildlife Refuges.

Besides the Gulf of Mexico Views there are a lot of cool walking and bicycle trails.

My Drone can fly up to 300 to 399 ft. Are the beaches fair game for me? Also the legal areas around the Reserve would be of interest. Can you help me out? Perhaps you have a map? Thanks Scott Wright