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I wanted to post this experience, since there aren't any others for my area. We are camping at Cape Disappointment near Long Beach & Ilwaco, Washington. It's located at the mouth of the Columbia River. I'll edit - or add to the post after we complete our trip that starts April 2. I've seen the youtube videos of remote control aircraft flying over the park illegally. Thought I'd try doing it using the established channels and see what happens.
The whole area is a Washington State Park. When I inquired about flying as a recreational drone/uas operator, they said they would have me apply using the same application as a commercial user. The difference is that the fee is only $25 for hobbyist. The application is the same one as a commercial photographer would have to fill out if shooting film there - with the addition of questions about the drone & insurance.
The Washington State Parks requires that you send the application to the specific Park Manager for the location you will fly. At Cape Disappointment - it's Evan Roberts. They require that you have $1 Million in insurance with "Washington State Parks" on the insurance rider. That's the tricky part, because I use Verifly. So, I went into the app, put the WA Parks on as an additional insured - then bought $2.5 mil insurance for the area I would be flying ($15). I got the rider from Verifly in my e-mail. I submitted that to the Parks and explained that I'd obtain that same insurance for every time I take off (a pain, yes - but how else could I do it?). I don't have an $800 a year policy.
On the application, they wanted a description of flight location and flight plan including, location of pilot, take off/landing location(s), elevation, time of day, and maximum speed. So, I printed a google earth map of the park and plotted 3 locations that I thought would be good as a landing zone. Also, plotted my flight path. While doing that - I ensured I wouldn't fly directly over the campsites (I knew that wouldn't fly! literally). Remember, they have to approve your application.
Yesterday, a ranger called and said it was approved. HOWEVER, they must monitor each flight! To me, that's a huge burden. But I'm going to do it. I'm the first, I have to do it right. So, now before I fly (weather dependent) - I'll have to go 2 miles to the ranger office; ask if someone can accompany me; hope they have someone; if so, buy the Verifly insurance; have the ranger follow me to the zone; and fly. If it wasn't for the historically crappy weather here - it wouldn't be a big deal. But our sun breaks - or non-rain breaks are brief. So, by the time I secure a ranger - it could be raining again.
It's kind of a pain to go though this for possibly three 10 minute, harmless flights with a really small non-commercial drone. But I knew that the Parks had never been through the process and I could be the first to present a professional & well-planned first impression. If we can suffer through the infancy of our rules evolution - there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. But, that's only if we do it right. If we abuse the system now, they'll just flat out ban us. Frankly, based on the spotty communication I experienced before the "approval" - I'm surprised it's approved. Of course, with a ranger-monitor, it makes sense. Either they are there out of curiosity because this is new, or big-brother. We'll see. I'll update when we get back from camping... After April 7.
The whole area is a Washington State Park. When I inquired about flying as a recreational drone/uas operator, they said they would have me apply using the same application as a commercial user. The difference is that the fee is only $25 for hobbyist. The application is the same one as a commercial photographer would have to fill out if shooting film there - with the addition of questions about the drone & insurance.
The Washington State Parks requires that you send the application to the specific Park Manager for the location you will fly. At Cape Disappointment - it's Evan Roberts. They require that you have $1 Million in insurance with "Washington State Parks" on the insurance rider. That's the tricky part, because I use Verifly. So, I went into the app, put the WA Parks on as an additional insured - then bought $2.5 mil insurance for the area I would be flying ($15). I got the rider from Verifly in my e-mail. I submitted that to the Parks and explained that I'd obtain that same insurance for every time I take off (a pain, yes - but how else could I do it?). I don't have an $800 a year policy.
On the application, they wanted a description of flight location and flight plan including, location of pilot, take off/landing location(s), elevation, time of day, and maximum speed. So, I printed a google earth map of the park and plotted 3 locations that I thought would be good as a landing zone. Also, plotted my flight path. While doing that - I ensured I wouldn't fly directly over the campsites (I knew that wouldn't fly! literally). Remember, they have to approve your application.
Yesterday, a ranger called and said it was approved. HOWEVER, they must monitor each flight! To me, that's a huge burden. But I'm going to do it. I'm the first, I have to do it right. So, now before I fly (weather dependent) - I'll have to go 2 miles to the ranger office; ask if someone can accompany me; hope they have someone; if so, buy the Verifly insurance; have the ranger follow me to the zone; and fly. If it wasn't for the historically crappy weather here - it wouldn't be a big deal. But our sun breaks - or non-rain breaks are brief. So, by the time I secure a ranger - it could be raining again.
It's kind of a pain to go though this for possibly three 10 minute, harmless flights with a really small non-commercial drone. But I knew that the Parks had never been through the process and I could be the first to present a professional & well-planned first impression. If we can suffer through the infancy of our rules evolution - there will be a light at the end of the tunnel. But, that's only if we do it right. If we abuse the system now, they'll just flat out ban us. Frankly, based on the spotty communication I experienced before the "approval" - I'm surprised it's approved. Of course, with a ranger-monitor, it makes sense. Either they are there out of curiosity because this is new, or big-brother. We'll see. I'll update when we get back from camping... After April 7.