Where Do You Fly

[DSR]

I was flying my brand new Mavic 2 at Piedmont Park Sunday and continued to get warnings on my RC about flying in an illegal area. I tried moving around the park thinking that I was in some floodplain or something that would make it illegal to fly. Tried again the next day and got the same message. After doing some research, I discovered that there is a city ordinance that 'model planes' cannot be flown at the park. If true, where do all of you fly?

 

[msinger]

After doing some research, I discovered that there is a city ordinance that 'model planes' cannot be flown at the park.

DJI GO doesn't know anything about city ordinances. If you review the map in DJI GO before taking off (or even at home), you'll be able to see the nearby restricted flight zones.

 

[FatherXmas]

There's a couple of apps you can get on your phone. The best is Airmap, I'm in the USA, not sure if it works where you are if not here. The other is B4UFLY, it for sure only works in the USA (FAA product) and isn't that great anyway. There may be others. Plus DJI has a web page that shows their view of where it's legal to fly.
Fly Safe – Drone Flying Tips, Policies & Regulations, and More – DJI

 

[DSR]

Thanks guys, but I already knew about those regulations. Do you ever go to YouTube and look at the videos of people getting tickets for being at a park with a drone? I saw three this morning. One of the drone owners was harassing wild life at a park. He deserved the $1,000 fine!

 

[bushie]

AS you dont tell us what country you are in it makes it very difficult to answer your question. How about putting that in your header.

 

[DSR]

Piedmont Park in Atlanta, Ga

 

[DanMan32]

It appears the entire Atlanta GA is in a TFR today and New Years Eve.
Blue zone.

 

[DanMan32]

Update: Blue zone appears related to a nearby stadium and related to game days. What confused me was that it was a circle near center of Atlanta.

You can unlock blue zones. Just be sure it isn't during game time and too close to the stadium. It seems to escape the airport but only based on runway glide slope. It may still be within 5 mile radius.

 

[DSR]

Thanks DanMan32! Happy flying.

 

[Maviac]

Thanks DanMan32! Happy flying.

Hey folks,

Fairly new UAS guy in Atlanta here and reading all the posts from locals. Are there any good places folks have found in Buckhead or closer to downtown? I saw the Piedmont comments but also see Ordinance No. 110-72, prohibiting “model airplanes” in city parks (a prohibition I do NOT see in any DeKalb or Decatur ordinances, which is promising, particularly given state law prohibiting future such ordinances). Is anyone aware of the city enforcing this against drone pilots? I may still give it a try still but a bit nervous (though it really shouldn’t apply to us and I’m willing to make the legal argument if necessary). There’s also a closer more secluded park near me, and thankfully a decent place at my home (which is close to PDK but auto auth works well).

 

[DSR]

Hey folks,

Fairly new UAS guy in Atlanta here and reading all the posts from locals. Are there any good places folks have found in Buckhead or closer to downtown? I saw the Piedmont comments but also see Ordinance No. 110-72, prohibiting “model airplanes” in city parks (a prohibition I do NOT see in any DeKalb or Decatur ordinances, which is promising, particularly given state law prohibiting future such ordinances). Is anyone aware of the city enforcing this against drone pilots? I may still give it a try still but a bit nervous (though it really shouldn’t apply to us and I’m willing to make the legal argument if necessary). There’s also a closer more secluded park near me, and thankfully a decent place at my home (which is close to PDK but auto auth works well).

Last Friday I spoke with Todd at Piedmont Park. He is a supervisor of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, and said it was ok to fly drones in the park as long the operator operated his or her drone in a responsible manner. He said that there was a heliport nearby, so stay low!

 

[Maviac]

Last Friday I spoke with Todd at Piedmont Park. He is a supervisor of the Piedmont Park Conservancy, and said it was ok to fly drones in the park as long the operator operated his or her drone in a responsible manner. He said that there was a heliport nearby, so stay low!

Thanks! I’m fairly comfortable with the legal (particularly the federal definition of “model aircraft in the former Section 336) but this info makes me more comfortable flying around there.

Are there any particular takeoff/landing sites folks are using these days?

 

[DSR]

Thanks! I’m fairly comfortable with the legal (particularly the federal definition of “model aircraft in the former Section 336) but this info makes me more comfortable flying around there.

Are there any particular takeoff/landing sites folks are using these days?

No, you see them at different places in the park. Also, local and state governments cannot regulate drone flying, only the FAA can. Local and state governments can only regulate where they can land (land use laws).

 

[Maviac]

No, you see them at different places in the park. Also, local and state governments cannot regulate drone flying, only the FAA can. Local and state governments can only regulate where they can land (land use laws).

Agreed. Even under the old park ordinance, it says “flying,” so it’s questionable if it’d be valid under federal preemption, even if a drone were to fall under the model airplane definition (which I don’t think it would). And State law generally prohibits local government entities from passing new ordinances regulating UASs after April 1, 2017, though it does allow them to regulate takeoffs and landings on government-owned property, as you pointed out, but NOT for commercial operations. So, with a 107 cert and a plan to go take some shots for stock photography (or whatever) I agree it is legal under any possible interpretation. Thanks for the input, and as I said the comment from the Conservancy guy makes me feel better (I was there Saturday with the family but didn’t see any drones around). On the right legal footing or not, I’d rather not have to answer questions from the back seat of a patrol car so it’s good to know it doesn’t sound like they’re out to get us.

 

[DSR]

Agreed. Even under the old park ordinance, it says “flying,” so it’s questionable if it’d be valid under federal preemption, even if a drone were to fall under the model airplane definition (which I don’t think it would). And State law generally prohibits local government entities from passing new ordinances regulating UASs after April 1, 2017, though it does allow them to regulate takeoffs and landings on government-owned property, as you pointed out, but NOT for commercial operations. So, with a 107 cert and a plan to go take some shots for stock photography (or whatever) I agree it is legal under any possible interpretation. Thanks for the input, and as I said the comment from the Conservancy guy makes me feel better (I was there Saturday with the family but didn’t see any drones around). On the right legal footing or not, I’d rather not have to answer questions from the back seat of a patrol car so it’s good to know it doesn’t sound like they’re out to get us.

I have been there with my Mavic 2 four out of the last five days, and nobody said anything even when the employees rode past me in their golf carts.

 

[Maviac]

I have been there with my Mavic 2 four out of the last five days, and nobody said anything even when the employees rode past me in their golf carts.

Cool, thanks! I may try heading over there in the next couple of days, time permitting.

 

[Sudevan]

I have been there with my Mavic 2 four out of the last five days, and nobody said anything even when the employees rode past me in their golf carts.

Am planning to fly in peidmont, could you please advise here exactly in park I can fly.. Much appreciate your help.

 

[Liny]

can you get good shots from piedmont park?