Flying a Drone: What You Need to Know

You just bought your first drone, and you're charging the battery getting ready for a test flight. But before you take it outside, you need to be aware of the rules and regulations that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has put in place for flying drones in the United States. Jim Fisher, writing in PCMag discusses what you should know before you take to the air for the first time.

Mandatory drone registration for recreational pilots was once a requirement. There was a court challenge and then it wasn't. Now, after another round of legal proceedings, recreational pilots in the US are required to spend $5 to register with the FAA before flying outdoors. You'll be assigned an FAA identification number. After February 23rd 2019, this number will need to be placed on the exterior of the drone.

But not every drone needs to be registered. If it's a tiny toy that weighs less than 8.8 ounces (250g), you won't have go through the registration process. Also you can't register a drone that's heavier than 55 pounds via the online portal. If you're working with industrial aircraft you'll need to submit a paper registration application.

And keep in mind the following rules:

Fly at or below 400 feet
Keep your drone within sight
Never fly near other aircraft, especially near airports
Never fly over groups of people
Never fly over stadiums or sports events
Never fly near emergency response efforts such as fires
Never fly under the influence
Be aware of airspace requirements

If you're concerned about whether you're too close to an airport to fly—you need to be at least five miles away to operate without notifying the control tower of your activity—consider using an app. AirMap, available for smartphones and on the web, shows you exactly where you're allowed to fly and where you aren't, with tools for both recreational and commercial pilots.

Many of these rules are simply common sense. And that's something you need to use when flying. In addition to the FAA rules, National Parks have banned the use of drones within their confines. The airspace around Washington DC is also restricted.

Finally not everyone you meet is reasonable. In those cases, you should be aware of where you're standing. As with photography, much of it has to do with your right to fly. If you're on your own property, or public property, you are completely within your rights. But if you're on private property, the situation isn't in your favor. For example, a property owner (or a representative of one, like a security guard) can ask you to land your drone and leave the premises. You can read more on operating drones here.



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