Learn where you can legally fly your recreational drone.
Where Can You Legally Fly Your Drone for Fun?
Drones are amazing devices that can provide hours of fun and entertainment. But before you take off, you need to know the rules and regulations that apply to your drone flight. Flying a drone is not as simple as playing with a toy. You have to follow certain safety and legal guidelines to ensure that you don’t endanger yourself, other people, or other aircraft.
In this blog post, we will explain the basics of flying a drone for recreational purposes in the United States. We will cover what is a recreational flight, what are the rules for recreational flyers, and how to get airspace authorization if needed.
What is a Recreational Flight?
Many people assume that a recreational flight simply means not flying for a business or being compensated. But, that’s not always the case. Compensation, or the lack of it, is not what determines if a flight was recreational or not.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency that regulates the airspace and drone operations in the U.S., a recreational flight is one that is done purely for fun or personal enjoyment. This means that you are not flying your drone for any commercial, professional, or educational purpose.
Some examples of recreational flights are:
Flying your drone in your backyard or at a park for fun
Taking photos or videos of your family or friends with your drone for personal use
Participating in a drone race or contest with your drone for hobby or sport
Some examples of non-recreational flights are:
Taking photos or videos of a property or service with your drone to help sell it
Inspecting a roof or a crop with your drone for a business or a client
Taking pictures of a high school football game with your drone for the school’s website
Volunteering to use your drone to survey coastlines on behalf of a non-profit organization
If you are not sure which category your drone flight falls into, you should follow the rules for non-recreational flights, which are more strict and require a Part 107 license, also known as a drone pilot license or a commercial drone license. This license proves that you have obtained the necessary certification and knowledge to fly drones safely and legally in the U.S.
What are the Rules for Recreational Flyers?
The FAA has established a set of rules for recreational flyers that must be followed to fly a drone for fun. These rules are based on the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft, which is the law that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes.
The rules for recreational flyers are:
Fly only for recreational purposes (personal enjoyment)
Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO). A CBO is a group that represents the interests of recreational flyers and works with the FAA to develop safety standards and best practices for drone flying. You can find a list of FAA-recognized CBOs on the FAA website.
Keep your drone within the visual line of sight or use a visual observer who is co-located (physically next to) and in direct communication with you. This means that you or your observer must be able to see your drone at all times without using any device other than corrective lenses, such as binoculars, telescopes, or cameras.
Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft. This means that you must avoid flying near manned aircraft, such as airplanes, helicopters, or balloons, and yield the right-of-way to them. You must also avoid flying near airports, helipads, or other areas where aircraft operations are frequent or sensitive.
Fly at or below FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone. Controlled airspace is the airspace around and above certain airports where air traffic control services are provided. You can check the airspace classification and requirements of your flying location by using the FAA’s B4UFLY mobile app or an online map. To fly in controlled airspace, you need to get an airspace authorization from the FAA before you fly. You can do this by using the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), which is a system that allows you to request and receive near real-time authorization through approved service providers, or the FAA’s DroneZone, which is a website where you can apply for authorization manually. You can find more information about LAANC and DroneZone on the FAA website.
Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. Uncontrolled airspace is the airspace where air traffic control services are not provided. In most cases, this is the airspace below 400 feet above the ground or water. You can fly in uncontrolled airspace without prior authorization, as long as you follow the other rules for recreational flyers.
In addition to these rules, you also need to:
Register your drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams). You can register your drone online through the FAA’s DroneZone website. You will receive a registration number that you must mark on your drone. You must also carry proof of registration with you when you fly.
Pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of passage. TRUST is a free online test that provides education and testing on important safety and regulatory information. You can take the test through any of the FAA-approved test administrators. You will receive a certificate after you pass the test, which you must present if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel.
Follow all state and local laws and ordinances. Some states and localities may have additional or different rules for drone flying, such as privacy, noise, or trespassing laws. You should check with the authorities of your flying location before you fly to make sure you comply with their regulations.
Following these rules helps keep you, your drone, and our airspace safe. If you violate these rules, you may face civil penalties, criminal charges, or both.
How to Get Airspace Authorization for Recreational Flyers?
As we mentioned earlier, if you want to fly your drone in controlled airspace, you need to get an airspace authorization from the FAA before you fly. There are two ways to do this: using LAANC or DroneZone.
LAANC is the fastest and easiest way to get airspace authorization. It is a system that allows you to request and receive near real-time authorization through approved service providers, such as mobile apps or websites. You can find a list of LAANC service providers on the FAA website.
To use LAANC, you need to:
Download or access a LAANC service provider app or website
Create an account and provide your drone registration number and contact information
Select your flying location and time on the map
Request an airspace authorization for your flight
Receive an approval or denial message within seconds
Fly your drone within the approved parameters
DroneZone is another way to get airspace authorization, but it is slower and more complex than LAANC. It is a website where you can apply for authorization manually.
To use DroneZone, you need to:
Visit the FAA’s DroneZone website
Create an account and log in
Select “Fly sUAS under the Exception for Recreational Flyers”
Fill out the application form with your drone registration number, contact information, flying location, time, and altitude
Submit your application and wait for a response
Receive an approval or denial email within 90 days
Fly your drone within the approved parameters
You should use DroneZone only if LAANC is not available for your flying location or if you need to fly above the LAANC altitude ceiling. You should also apply well in advance of your planned flight, as DroneZone may take up to 90 days to process your application.
Conclusion
Flying a drone for recreational purposes can be a lot of fun, but it also comes with some responsibilities. You need to know and follow the rules and regulations that apply to your drone flight, such as flying only for fun, following the safety guidelines of a CBO, keeping your drone within sight, giving way to other aircraft, flying at or below authorized altitudes, registering your drone, passing the TRUST, and getting airspace authorization if needed.
By following these rules, you can enjoy your drone hobby while ensuring the safety and security of yourself, others, and our airspace. Happy flying! 😊
footnotes
1: https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers 2: https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/knowledge_test_updates 3: https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/authorization 4: https://drone-laws.com/the-usa-hobbyist-drone-law-section-44809-simplified/
Drones are amazing devices that can provide hours of fun and entertainment. But before you take off, you need to know the rules and regulations that apply to your drone flight. Flying a drone is not as simple as playing with a toy. You have to follow certain safety and legal guidelines to ensure that you don’t endanger yourself, other people, or other aircraft.
In this blog post, we will explain the basics of flying a drone for recreational purposes in the United States. We will cover what is a recreational flight, what are the rules for recreational flyers, and how to get airspace authorization if needed.
What is a Recreational Flight?
Many people assume that a recreational flight simply means not flying for a business or being compensated. But, that’s not always the case. Compensation, or the lack of it, is not what determines if a flight was recreational or not.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the agency that regulates the airspace and drone operations in the U.S., a recreational flight is one that is done purely for fun or personal enjoyment. This means that you are not flying your drone for any commercial, professional, or educational purpose.
Some examples of recreational flights are:
Flying your drone in your backyard or at a park for fun
Taking photos or videos of your family or friends with your drone for personal use
Participating in a drone race or contest with your drone for hobby or sport
Some examples of non-recreational flights are:
Taking photos or videos of a property or service with your drone to help sell it
Inspecting a roof or a crop with your drone for a business or a client
Taking pictures of a high school football game with your drone for the school’s website
Volunteering to use your drone to survey coastlines on behalf of a non-profit organization
If you are not sure which category your drone flight falls into, you should follow the rules for non-recreational flights, which are more strict and require a Part 107 license, also known as a drone pilot license or a commercial drone license. This license proves that you have obtained the necessary certification and knowledge to fly drones safely and legally in the U.S.
What are the Rules for Recreational Flyers?
The FAA has established a set of rules for recreational flyers that must be followed to fly a drone for fun. These rules are based on the Exception for Limited Recreational Operations of Unmanned Aircraft, which is the law that describes how, when, and where you can fly drones for recreational purposes.
The rules for recreational flyers are:
Fly only for recreational purposes (personal enjoyment)
Follow the safety guidelines of an FAA-recognized Community Based Organization (CBO). A CBO is a group that represents the interests of recreational flyers and works with the FAA to develop safety standards and best practices for drone flying. You can find a list of FAA-recognized CBOs on the FAA website.
Keep your drone within the visual line of sight or use a visual observer who is co-located (physically next to) and in direct communication with you. This means that you or your observer must be able to see your drone at all times without using any device other than corrective lenses, such as binoculars, telescopes, or cameras.
Give way to and do not interfere with other aircraft. This means that you must avoid flying near manned aircraft, such as airplanes, helicopters, or balloons, and yield the right-of-way to them. You must also avoid flying near airports, helipads, or other areas where aircraft operations are frequent or sensitive.
Fly at or below FAA-authorized altitudes in controlled airspace (Class B, C, D, and surface Class E designated for an airport) only with prior FAA authorization by using LAANC or DroneZone. Controlled airspace is the airspace around and above certain airports where air traffic control services are provided. You can check the airspace classification and requirements of your flying location by using the FAA’s B4UFLY mobile app or an online map. To fly in controlled airspace, you need to get an airspace authorization from the FAA before you fly. You can do this by using the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC), which is a system that allows you to request and receive near real-time authorization through approved service providers, or the FAA’s DroneZone, which is a website where you can apply for authorization manually. You can find more information about LAANC and DroneZone on the FAA website.
Fly at or below 400 feet in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace. Uncontrolled airspace is the airspace where air traffic control services are not provided. In most cases, this is the airspace below 400 feet above the ground or water. You can fly in uncontrolled airspace without prior authorization, as long as you follow the other rules for recreational flyers.
In addition to these rules, you also need to:
Register your drone with the FAA if it weighs more than 0.55 pounds (250 grams). You can register your drone online through the FAA’s DroneZone website. You will receive a registration number that you must mark on your drone. You must also carry proof of registration with you when you fly.
Pass the Recreational UAS Safety Test (TRUST) and carry proof of passage. TRUST is a free online test that provides education and testing on important safety and regulatory information. You can take the test through any of the FAA-approved test administrators. You will receive a certificate after you pass the test, which you must present if asked by law enforcement or FAA personnel.
Follow all state and local laws and ordinances. Some states and localities may have additional or different rules for drone flying, such as privacy, noise, or trespassing laws. You should check with the authorities of your flying location before you fly to make sure you comply with their regulations.
Following these rules helps keep you, your drone, and our airspace safe. If you violate these rules, you may face civil penalties, criminal charges, or both.
How to Get Airspace Authorization for Recreational Flyers?
As we mentioned earlier, if you want to fly your drone in controlled airspace, you need to get an airspace authorization from the FAA before you fly. There are two ways to do this: using LAANC or DroneZone.
LAANC is the fastest and easiest way to get airspace authorization. It is a system that allows you to request and receive near real-time authorization through approved service providers, such as mobile apps or websites. You can find a list of LAANC service providers on the FAA website.
To use LAANC, you need to:
Download or access a LAANC service provider app or website
Create an account and provide your drone registration number and contact information
Select your flying location and time on the map
Request an airspace authorization for your flight
Receive an approval or denial message within seconds
Fly your drone within the approved parameters
DroneZone is another way to get airspace authorization, but it is slower and more complex than LAANC. It is a website where you can apply for authorization manually.
To use DroneZone, you need to:
Visit the FAA’s DroneZone website
Create an account and log in
Select “Fly sUAS under the Exception for Recreational Flyers”
Fill out the application form with your drone registration number, contact information, flying location, time, and altitude
Submit your application and wait for a response
Receive an approval or denial email within 90 days
Fly your drone within the approved parameters
You should use DroneZone only if LAANC is not available for your flying location or if you need to fly above the LAANC altitude ceiling. You should also apply well in advance of your planned flight, as DroneZone may take up to 90 days to process your application.
Conclusion
Flying a drone for recreational purposes can be a lot of fun, but it also comes with some responsibilities. You need to know and follow the rules and regulations that apply to your drone flight, such as flying only for fun, following the safety guidelines of a CBO, keeping your drone within sight, giving way to other aircraft, flying at or below authorized altitudes, registering your drone, passing the TRUST, and getting airspace authorization if needed.
By following these rules, you can enjoy your drone hobby while ensuring the safety and security of yourself, others, and our airspace. Happy flying! 😊
footnotes
1: https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers 2: https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/knowledge_test_updates 3: https://www.faa.gov/uas/recreational_flyers/authorization 4: https://drone-laws.com/the-usa-hobbyist-drone-law-section-44809-simplified/
