Backgrounder: Drone Operations in the U.S.

1. Recreational Drone Use (Hobbyist Rules)
If you are flying for fun or personal enjoyment:

·  FAA Registration: Drones weighing more than 0.55 lbs (250 grams) and less than 55 lbs (25 kg) must be registered with the FAA. You must display the registration number on the drone.

·  Trust Certification: Recreational pilots must pass the FAA’s The Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST).

·  Airspace Restrictions: Fly only in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace unless you have prior authorization to operate in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, or E).

·  Flight Limitations:

·  Keep the drone within visual line of sight (VLOS).

·  Fly at or below 400 feet above ground level.

·  Avoid flying near airports, critical infrastructure, or crowds.

·  Do not fly over people or moving vehicles.

·  Do not operate drones under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

·  Community Guidelines: Follow safety guidelines of a recognized community-based organization (CBO), such as the Academy of Model Aeronautics.

2. Commercial Drone Use (Part 107 Rules)
If you’re flying for business purposes (e.g., photography, inspections, deliveries):

·  Remote Pilot Certification: You must pass the FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test to obtain a Remote Pilot Certificate.

·  Drone Registration: All drones used for commercial purposes must be registered with the FAA, regardless of weight.

·  Flight Restrictions:

·  Fly only during daylight or twilight hours (unless you have a waiver for night operations).

·  Operate at or below 400 feet.

·  Maintain VLOS (waivers available for beyond visual line of sight).

·  Do not fly over people or moving vehicles without proper waivers.

·  Obtain authorization to operate in controlled airspace via the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system.

·  Waivers: You can apply for waivers to conduct activities outside standard Part 107 rules (e.g., flying at night, over people, or beyond VLOS).

3. Government and Public Drone Use
Public agencies (e.g., law enforcement, fire departments) may operate under:

·  Part 107 Rulesor,

·  Certificate of Authorization (COA): This allows for specific operational needs, such as flying in restricted airspace or at higher altitudes.

4. Prohibited Operations and Additional Restrictions

·  No-Fly Zones: Drones are prohibited near airports, military bases, national parks, and certain stadiums during events. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) may also apply.

·  Privacy Laws: Drone pilots must respect local privacy laws when capturing imagery or videos.

·  Wildlife Protections: Drones should not disturb wildlife or be used in ways that harm protected species.

·  State and Local Laws: Many states and municipalities have additional restrictions on drone operations.

5. Advanced Operations
Certain activities require waivers or special permissions, including:

·  Flying Over People: Requires drones with specific safety standards (e.g., lightweight, non-injurious designs).

·  Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS): Requires advanced permissions and safety measures.

·  Night Flying: Allowed under Part 107 if the drone has proper anti-collision lighting.

6. Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to follow FAA rules can result in:

·  Fines (up to $27,500 for civil penalties; higher for criminal violations).

·  Drone confiscation or suspension of pilot privileges.

For complete details, visit the FAA’s DroneZone or review Part 107 rules.

II. Drone No-Fly Zones
Certain areas in the United States are restricted or closed to drone flights to ensure safety, security, and privacy. These no-fly zones are defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and other regulatory bodies. Here’s an overview of the main areas where drone flights are prohibited or restricted:

1. Airports and Controlled Airspace (Class B, C, D, and E)

·  Restricted Zones Around Airports: Drone flights are generally prohibited within a 5-mile radius of an airport unless prior FAA approval (via LAANC) is obtained.

·  Controlled Airspace: You need authorization from the FAA to fly in most controlled airspace around airports.

2. Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs)

·  Issued for special events like presidential visits, natural disasters, sporting events (e.g., NFL, MLB games), or other national security concerns.

·  TFRs appear on the FAA’s B4UFLY app and websites like NOTAMs.

3. National Parks, Wildlife Refuges, and Wilderness Areas

·  Drone use is strictly prohibited in all U.S. National Parks by the National Park Service (NPS).

·  Many National Wildlife Refuges and wilderness areas also prohibit drone flights to protect wildlife and minimize disturbances.

4. Critical Infrastructure and Sensitive Areas

·  Power Plants, Dams, and Refineries: The FAA prohibits drone operations near critical infrastructure.

·  Military Bases: Flying over military installations is strictly forbidden.

·  Restricted or Prohibited Airspace: Includes areas like Washington, D.C., under Special Flight Rules (SFRA), or testing zones like Nevada’s Area 51.

5. Stadiums and Sporting Events

·  Drones cannot be flown within a 3-mile radius and below 3,000 feet of any major stadium or venue during Major League Baseball, NFL, NCAA Division One Football, or NASCAR events.

6. Urban Areas and Over People

·  Urban/Populated Areas: Flying directly over groups of people is prohibited unless you meet the FAA’s new “Operation Over People” rules and have the correct equipment (like parachute-enabled drones).

·  Many cities also impose additional restrictions through local ordinances.

7. Washington, D.C., and Surrounding Areas (Special Flight Rules Area - SFRA)

·  The entire area around Washington, D.C. is a no-drone zone within a 15-mile radius of Reagan National Airport, regulated under the DC SFRA.

8. FAA-Designated No-Drone Zones

·  The FAA occasionally designates temporary or permanent no-fly zones for safety or security, which can be checked via the B4UFLY app or tools like AirMap.

9. Private Property and Local Ordinances

·  While federal laws apply, some states and municipalities have additional laws regulating drone usage over private property, schools, or parks.

Tools to Check No-Fly Zones

·  B4UFLY App(by FAA)

·  AirMap

·  DroneDeploy

·  Kittyhawk

If you have a specific location in mind, I can help determine if drone flights are allowed there!

III. Drone Accidents
There have been serious drone-related accidents and incidents in the United States, though most involve safety concerns rather than mass casualties. These incidents typically fall into a few categories: collisions with aircraft, near-misses, injuries caused by drones, and accidents involving government or military drones. Here are some notable examples:

Civilian and Recreational Drone Incidents
1. Near-Collisions with Aircraft:

·  Over the years, there have been numerous reports of drones flying dangerously close to commercial airplanes and helicopters, particularly near airports. For instance, in 2017, a drone hit an Army Black Hawk helicopter in New York, causing damage to the helicopter’s rotor blade.

·  The FAA regularly receives hundreds of drone-sighting reports near airports, raising concerns about the potential for mid-air collisions.

2. Injuries to People:

·  In 2015, a drone crashed into the crowd at the U.S. Open tennis tournament, though no one was seriously hurt.

·  In some cases, drones have caused severe injuries to individuals on the ground due to operator error or loss of control.

3. Firefighting Hazards:

·  During wildfires in California, recreational drones flying in restricted airspace have interfered with firefighting operations, forcing firefighting aircraft to delay or abandon operations.

Military Drone Accidents
1. Larger Drone Crashes:

·  Military drones, such as the MQ-9 Reaper or the Global Hawk, have occasionally crashed during training exercises or overseas operations due to technical malfunctions. While these crashes are typically in unpopulated areas, they highlight the risks associated with large unmanned aircraft.

·  In 2014, a military drone crashed into a Pennsylvania power station, causing damage and a power outage.

2.Urban Accidents:

·  In 2020, a military surveillance drone operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection malfunctioned and crashed in Nogales, Arizona. While no injuries were reported, the incident raised concerns about drone safety in populated areas.

Commercial Drone Incidents
With the expansion of commercial drone use for deliveries, photography, and agriculture, the potential for serious accidents has grown. For instance:

·  In 2019, a delivery drone crashed into a Seattle building during a test flight, highlighting the risks of operating drones in urban environments.

Legal and Regulatory Responses
In response to these incidents, the FAA has implemented stricter regulations for drone operations, including requirements for registration, pilot certification, and restrictions on flights near airports and critical infrastructure. Additionally, technology such as geofencing and remote identification is being developed to improve drone safety.

While serious drone-related fatalities have been rare in the U.S., the growing use of drones raises the potential for more significant accidents if safety measures aren’t continuously improved.